Why You Should Hire a Pro to Remove Wallpaper

Why You Should Hire a Pro to Remove Wallpaper

Wallpaper is the great leap-of-faith in interior decorating. You fall in love with a pattern that you think is perfect for an accent wall or entire room, and make the big commitment. Or the previous owner of your house did. But décor fashions and tastes change, and what was once stylish is now embarrassingly dated – or was never to your liking to begin with, in the case of the home you just bought. Even if you’re still fond of the wallpaper you chose years ago, it may be showing signs of wear, making the entire room look tired.

Whatever the case, it’s time for a change. However, you’ll soon discover – or already have – that wallpaper isn’t easy to remove. And that doing so isn’t a job for a homeowner who doesn’t happen to do it for a living. If you think that you can get around the inevitable by painting or wallpapering over existing wallpaper, think again! Wallpaper is a stubborn, formidable adversary. In order to save your time, sanity and wall surface, you should hire a professional to do the honors.

Why You Shouldn’t Paint Over Wallpaper – Or Wallpaper Over Existing Wallpaper

A blog post by Matthews’ Painting Company, Columbia City, IN, describes the situation as follows:

“Removing the wallpaper before you paint your wall will generally give superior and long-lasting results compared to painting over it. Wallpaper is typically applied in rows, so if you paint over it, the seams at the end of the rows might show through the paint. Additionally, most wallpaper designs are textured, and the textures and patterns might show in the paint as well. The moisture in the paint might also cause the wallpaper adhesive to loosen, which results in sections of the wallpaper to detach or bubble.”

In addition, as Lowe’s points out, “Paint will seal the surface and make the wallpaper almost impossible to remove in the future.”

If you are planning other DIY interior painting projects, our blog post – “Do it Yourself: The Seven Blunders of Interior Painting” – covers common pitfalls in detail.

Risking an outcome that looks even worse than the wallpaper it was intended to cover isn’t worth the expense, time and effort of slapping on a coat of paint and hoping for the best. Neither is applying new wallpaper over existing wallpaper. While it is possible under certain circumstances, the necessary prep work is exacting, and not well-suited to amateurs. Anything less than a perfectly smooth, even surface won’t produce a good outcome.

According to Lowe’s, installation over existing paper isn’t recommended if:

  • You suspect there may be more than a single layer of wallpaper on the surface.
  • The existing wallpaper has a vinyl, foil or plastic film. In this case, the wallpaper should be removed even if there’s only one layer in good condition. Wallpaper adhesive won’t adhere well to these surfaces.
  • You’re planning to hang vinyl wallpaper. If the previous wallpaper is also vinyl, the glue between the two papers won’t dry well. If the old wallpaper isn’t vinyl, the glue under it may get wet and start to mildew.
  • The existing wallpaper is grass cloth, burlap or cork.
  • You can hear crinkling sounds when running your hand over the surface of the wall. If you do, the wallpaper has buckled and it needs to be removed.
  • If there are tears in the wallpaper at the corners of the walls; when walls settle, wallpaper sometimes tears in a corner.

 

Considering DIY Wallpaper Removal? Learn What’s Involved!

Every home and wall surface is different. If you live in an older home, there can be several layers of wallpaper underneath the current one – making the task even more challenging. You also don’t know the condition of the drywall or plaster (typically used in homes until the mid-1940s). Perhaps the wallpaper was originally applied to conceal stains from water damage, or another condition that will need to be addressed once uncovered.

The type of wallpaper and what lies beneath will also determine the optimum means of removal. According to Lowe’s, so-called “strippable” wallcovering is the easiest, as it’s intended to be removed without water or chemicals. Even so, this doesn’t mean there’s no work involved, as you may still need to use a razor knife to remove stubborn sections.

Lowe’s provides detailed DIY instructions for the main types of wallpaper, including instructions for prep work. This is well worth reading to determine if you want to attempt it yourself, or hire a pro. Just keep in mind that instructions and tutorial videos usually make any project look easier than it actually is. If this is your first rodeo, factor in some extra time for complications or setbacks. Be sure you have the right equipment. Improvising with something not intended for the purpose – such as a chair instead of a ladder – can be a safety hazard. The same goes for protective clothing.

The Advantages of Hiring a Professional for Removing Wallpaper

Consider the reason you want to remove your home’s existing wallpaper. A well-maintained, up-to-date house is not only more enjoyable to live in, it increases your home’s market value should you decide to sell. Sloppy DIY attempts at repairs or remodeling detract from its value, rather than improve it.

The pros at SurePro Painting, Austin, TX, offer the following reasons why you should hire a company that includes wallpaper removal as part of its core services.

Professionals get it right the first time – As mentioned earlier, there are often many more steps than just removing the paper. Some projects might require different steps depending on the type of wallpaper and the method originally used to install it. Will steam be required, or special chemicals? Can the wall be peeled or will it have to be scored and scraped? Will the wall have to be sealed before skimming and texture? Experts who deal with home wall decor on a consistent basis know how to remove wallpaper in the most efficient – and safe – manner.

Professionals have the right tools and equipment – In order to properly remove wallpaper without damaging the wall itself, you’ll need to buy quite a few things. First, you’ll need a ladder and some spray bottles to moisten the wallpaper with water. Then you will need scoring tools and putty knives to scrape all of the wallpaper, piece by piece. 

In some cases you will need specialized chemicals, along with rubber gloves and eye protection. Some people may wish to use a mask as well. Dropcloths, plastic and tape will also be necessary, as well as the materials and tools needed to do sheetrock touch-ups and painting. Professionals have all of these and more to bring to every job. Buying equipment, tools and materials you may never use again is an extra expense better spent on hiring a pro!

You won’t risk damaging your home’s walls – Attempting this project on your own could result in damage – which will cost you even more money to repair. Hiring an expert greatly reduces damage to the walls. If any does occur during the removal process, a pro will fix it as part of their service. Remember, they’ve encountered every type of complication on the job, and come prepared for any circumstance.

You can get interior decorating advice – Painting contractors often can provide advice on paint color, wallpaper selection and even specialty wall textures to pull your room together to give it a fresh, up-to-date look. Instead of trying to decide what to do with your newly bare walls, you can get help from an expert included with the price of wallpaper removal! The Paint Manager provides this service with all of our interior and exterior paint projects, as well as with wallpaper removal. You can even preview colors by today’s leading paint companies on our website to inspire some ideas!

You save time and energy – Your time is worth something – and removing wallpaper is very time-consuming and labor-intensive. Do you really want to spend a weekend or two removing wallpaper and making repairs? Then, think about the work ahead – either painting or applying new wallpaper (for which we at The Paint Manager also recommend our services).

The Take-Home Message

We hope we’ve made a compelling case to leave wallpaper removal to professional hands! Our team at The Paint Manager has been proudly serving Central Florida homeowners for 20 years with experienced, dedicated and professional services that include exterior and interior house painting, roof repair and cleaning, drywall repair, popcorn ceiling texture removal, cabinet refinishing and so much more!

Plus, become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer. We look forward to meeting you!

Transform Your Workspace and Increase Productivity

Transform Your Workspace and Increase Productivity

We spend most of our day at work, so it stands to reason that our office environment has a big impact on our feeling of well-being – and, as a result, our productivity. So whether you’re a business owner who wants happier, more productive employees – or an entrepreneur working from your home office – our pros at The Paint Manager offer the following budget-friendly tips to brighten up and spruce up your workspace!

Is this really worth the investment?

Yes! According to Lifehack, a pleasant office environment can increase productivity by up to 20%, and can even improve employee retention. If you work at home, transforming your office from a spare room with a desk and laptop to a functional dedicated space produces a more professional mindset that can ultimately win you more business.

Best paint colors for productivity

Because we are, after all, The Paint Manager, we know color has an important role to play. For example, you may be surprised to learn that the interior wall colors that create a peaceful haven for your home aren’t necessarily optimum choices for the workplace. Office colors need to set a calming mood, yet be stimulating enough to encourage alertness – like the perfect balance when you’ve had just enough coffee, but not too much.

For example, it is well-known that bright colors are associated with energy. But this might not be the ideal choice for your office. A study by the University of Rochester found that reactions become both faster and more forceful when people see the color red, yet the boost is short-lived. Though the color is ideal for some environments, it isn’t suited to inspire and sustain productivity in an office. However, if you have a home office (or a gray cubicle) and like red, use it in accessories to provide an energizing pop of color.

So, what are the colors that can work best for your office? Our colleagues at Scott Brown Painting examine the effects of color on mood and productivity, and offer their recommendations. The article also makes an important distinction between choosing colors for a company workplace and a home office.

Colors and their accompanying effect are as follows.

Blue: Mind

The color blue stimulates the mind, leading to more productivity. The hues of the blue color palette are ideal for staying focused in repetitive industries. Accounting offices often use blue paint colors to increase productivity and keep their employees focused.

Red: Body

As mentioned, red evokes a sense of urgency, so for physical jobs like construction, red will stimulate their energy levels.

Yellow: Emotion

Yellow stimulates emotion, which makes it an ideal color for creative industries. It also evokes feelings of happiness and can brighten spirits.

Green: Balance

We may think of green as the color of money, and in a way it is. Green is all about balance, calmness, and reassurance. So if you work in the financial industry, green works well as your office color.

Top 10 colors to improve office productivity

Keeping all of the above in mind, here are the leading, proven colors to make office workers happier and more productive.

Off-white – This tone provides a clean, uplifting feeling without the stark, clinical feel that a true white can evoke, making it an excellent choice both for company and home offices.

Teal/light blue – As teal is a combination of blue and green, it can turn any workspace into a productivity machine. It’s important to be careful as not to have too much of one over the color. The brightness and intensity are also important for the desired effect.

Gray – A classic corporate office color, gray is offered with a caveat. Too dark a shade can produce the opposite effect, turning the mood drab and depressing. A touch of silver provides a touch of class with a more elegant, uplifting feeling.

Light blue – If you want to establish a calming, reassuring effect, you can’t go wrong with light blue. It’s a great choice for medical offices and other establishments in which the nature of the work is stressful.

Blue-gray – In the corporate world, blue-grays can feel clean and give a boost to a backdrop without being too moody.

Brown – This warm color works very well in a space that needs to feel powerful and strong. Use lighter or complementary colors for trim and accents to keep the mood from becoming too heavy.

Pastel Yellow – A good choice for a company in a creative industry, this uplifting color can be accented with white or brown shades. However, it can be off-putting to some, so if you’re looking for a little sunshine in the office, use it for an accent wall instead of the primary wall color.

Purple – Again, one of those colors it’s easy to go overboard with unless the paint is blended by a color specialist. Certainly not for every business, but lighter shades (like violet) are good for a hair salon or clothing boutique. It also can be effective for an accent wall.

Green – A wide range of shades can set the right mood for productivity in a wide range of workplaces. Rich greens lend an affluent tone to financial industry offices, while lime green is popular for advertising and other creative agencies.

Orange – Painting all four walls orange may be a little too much, but using it for an accent wall could be the perfect remedy for low-energy afternoons. Consider trim and surrounding colors, however, or the effect could be garish instead of invigorating.

Colors for the home office

Because your home office is, after all, part of your home, the advice for paint color is a little different. As Scott Brown Painting observes:

“If you can’t stand the color yellow there are not enough promises of a happy, creative workspace that will get you to change your mind. In some cases, people who work from a home office feel like keeping the wall colors neutral is best. They opt to add an accent wall or paint the trim a different color. Others prefer a revamped workspace without any correlation to the rest of the colors in the house. This helps them to focus on work and not get tempted by personal comfort.”

Finishing touches to consider

Many other factors combine to increase productivity in the company or home office.

Lighting – When we talk about productivity, it is important to focus on lighting in your office. Inadequate or bad lighting can strain your eyes, cause fatigue, headaches and irritability. Spaces that are dark can lead to depression. Whether you work from your home or work in an office, make sure that the lighting is good.

Room scents – Just as color affects your mood, so do scents. Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. A wide variety of fragrances are available in such formats as diffusers, diffuser sticks and plug-in diffusers. Of course, choosing your preference is easier for your personal home office. Depending upon your company office space, you may be able to have a fragrance source that stays confined to your own work area. If you’re in charge of a company office, choose a non-specific fresh, clean scent.

Noise level – Some people have a challenge tuning out background sounds, such as nearby conversations – which can be unavoidable in a company setting. Noise canceling headphones are ideal for this situation. They also can help home office workers when neighbors are mowing the lawn, or negate loud household activities.

Ergonomics – Defined as the science of fitting a workplace to the user’s needs, ergonomics aims to increase efficiency and productivity and reduce discomfort. An understanding of ergonomics can prevent most workplace injuries by adjusting tools to the user, putting an emphasis on proper posture to reduce the impact of repetitive movements. Desks, chairs, monitors, keyboards and lighting all need to be assessed when creating a workspace, whether it is at a company office or home office. 

A lady working at the computer demonstrating proper posture

Ergonomic Fundamentals include:

  • The top of the monitor should be below or at eye level. Eyes should be 24-36 inches from the computer screen.
  • Feet should be on a footrest or resting on the floor.
  • A slightly reclined chair posture is best to reduce pressure on your spine and minimize lower back pain.

Finding the right painting contractor

Whether you’ve been charged with finding a painting contractor for your commercial office, or you’d just rather leave painting your home-sweet-home office to the pros, The Paint Manager has the experience, equipment and expertise for any size project. Contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you create an office environment that will allow you to achieve your best!

 

 

 

 

A Fresh Look at Fall Colors for Your Home

A Fresh Look at Fall Colors for Your Home

 

After a summer’s worth of Florida’s triple-digit temperatures, many people are ready to welcome the cooler temperatures of fall. But in the Sunshine State, autumn is more a state of mind than reality. For this reason, we enthusiastically decorate to capture the spirit of the season. Now that the first cinnamon-scented brooms are making their appearance in supermarkets, we take a look at this year’s popular fall colors, and how to incorporate them in your home. From major projects – like painting a room – to introducing pops of color through accessories, everyone can enjoy a touch of autumn, even if the AC is still running non-stop. Here are some of our favorites here at The Paint Manager, offered by the experts!  

 

First up, author Cyndy Aldred, whose blog, The Creativity Exchange, focuses on color, paint and home improvement. Writing for Better Homes & Gardens, she makes the following observations. “Paint colors will continue to warm up this year. Common among the various trend reports are softer neutrals, creamy whites, muted colors, and rich dark hues.”

 

Although Aldred notes that paint manufacturers and other industry influencers made their pronouncements for the entire year, rather just autumn, the trend toward rich, deeper colors is especially suited for the season.

 

“Soft neutral paint colors will have warmer undertones this year, which make a space feel cozy and warm.” Aldred writes. “Mixing a soft neutral wall color with a dark or bold accent color in furniture, fabrics, or art is a beautiful way to add contrast to a space.”

 

Also, look for rich, dark hues – another common thread among the 2018 paint color forecasts. Designers are mixing these colors with whites and soft neutrals to create contrast and make a statement. If you want to be daring but don’t want to risk being overwhelming, choose a dark shade for an accent wall.

 

According to Aldred, other noteworthy colors are chestnut brown, deep burgundy, and dark blue – which can be used for interior doors, cabinetry and furniture, as well as walls. And consider a combination of rich colors paired with shiny finishes like brass or chrome.

 

Next, none other than lifestyle diva extraordinaire Martha Stewart, whose website provides idea-inspiring photos of 20 interior settings using fall colors. Overall, Stewart recommends such shades as orange, yellow, dark green, rust and brown as accents. These versatile colors can be used for walls, fabrics, accessories and floral arrangements.

 

Using different tones of one color help richen the effect, as does layering deep colors and textured fabrics. For example, Stewart picks out a red damask tablecloth, reddish-brown wall color and red lacquer accessories tinted with cinnabar or vermilion as variations on a theme of fall’s signature color.

 

Reporting on paint color trends for The Spruce, blogger Kelly Weimert identifies “An Abundance of Berries.” Weimert writes: “From strawberry red to raspberry pink to blueberry, well, blue, berry-inspired color palettes are bringing all kinds of vivacious cheer to interior spaces in the upcoming season.

 

“The beauty of this color trend is its versatility – bolder style sensibilities can select a bright red with which to make a striking style statement while more subdued styles will benefit from a softer raspberry hue to add increased warmth to their aesthetic.”

 

fall colors, fall home designFor those who prefer a more traditional take on warm autumn hues, floral arrangements are a perfect way to set the tone. Teleflora offers suggestions on its blog post, “Bring Stunning Fall Colors Into Your Home.” They’re all great ideas for those who have come to Florida from locales that actually have four seasons.

  • Decorate the coffee table with candles in seasonal colors and scents; feature a floral arrangement of flowers in fall colors, mixed with leaves (which, of course, Teleflora can supply). Great fall inspired decorations can be found at Furniture.com.
  • Use your imagination to spread small bursts of autumnal color throughout the home. For example, orange roses in small vases in the living room, bright yellow flowers in the kitchen and some deep, ruby red bouquets in the bedroom.

 

Feeling inspired to invite fall into your home year ‘round with warm colors on your walls?  The Paint Manager has over two decades of experience in providing high-quality, trusted full-service residential painting for homes of every size and age. Our team can provide décor ideas, does all the demanding prep work and performs skilled, meticulous application to ensure beautiful results. Contact us for an estimate.

Cabinets – Don’t Replace, Refinish!

Cabinets – Don’t Replace, Refinish!

Planning a kitchen remodel? You already know that most of your budget will be claimed by replacing the cabinetry. But if the existing cabinets in your home are solid wood and in overall good condition, they can be refinished with stain for an updated look at a fraction of the cost. Before rushing in, however, there is much to consider – starting with whether you should do it yourself, or hire a pro.

The DIY approach can be successful if you have experience and confidence in your ability to take on mid-level to major home improvement projects. As we always caution here, don’t let your enthusiasm for cable TV house flipping shows make you think you can do likewise if you’ve done nothing more complex around the house than change lightbulbs.

In addition to expertise, staining a kitchenful of cabinets will demand a good deal of time. This includes such prep work as removing handles and other hardware, removing doors, stripping the existing finish, sanding, etc. You may not be willing or able to dedicate evenings and weekends to the project, which also will impact your kitchen’s function to some degree.

For those who want to learn more about what’s involved in staining cabinets to help you decide which route to take, The Paint Manager offers our helpful DIY resource page, which provides answers to common questions, as well as links to DIY videos and other tips from the experts.

An even more up-close look at the entire cabinet finishing process can be seen courtesy of The Idaho Painter.

 

 

Should you decide to leave the work to the professionals, it’s still a good idea to be familiar with the basic products so you can make informed choices. Start with the stain itself. There are three types: oil-based, water-based and gel. Minwax provides a comprehensive guide to staining, which includes a chart of stain products, their characteristics and best uses. Your paint contractor will be able to tell you which type is recommended for your cabinetry, and why.

Here are some other benefits of hiring a pro for wood cabinet staining:

  • You don’t have to compromise your safety – Doing the project on your own entails some risks. From the step ladder and tools to wood dust and volatile fumes, the project can be hazardous if this is your first cabinet staining rodeo. Professional contractors have the right tools and expertise, and also know how to properly ventilate the space so that it doesn’t become hazardous for occupants.

 

  • Quality prep work – The casual do-it-yourselfer may not consider the amount of preparation required before even opening the first can of stain. Please re-read the third paragraph of this blog post for a (very) general outline of the labors that doing a thorough job of the necessary prep work involve. A professional paint contractor performs each step, in the correct order, to ensure beautiful results that will last for many years.

 

  • Top-quality results – Professional paint contractors have great experience in applying stain evenly to bring out the wood grain and achieve consistent color on all cabinet surfaces for a custom appearance that will make you proud of your kitchen again.

 

  • Relatively quick job completion – Several factors – such as the size of your kitchen – will affect the amount of time the project will require. However, hiring a pro means the job will be done in a few days, rather than a few weeks – or months – as would be the case with doing it yourself. Your kitchen will be fully functional much sooner, and you and your family won’t have to work around disassembled cabinetry, vinyl sheeting partitioning off work areas or the persistent odor of wood stain stripper for what will seem like an indefinite period.

 

  • It’s still economical – Compared against the cost of new cabinetry, hiring a paint contractor to refinish your cabinets will still save you a significant amount of money. If you’re considering doing it yourself to do the job as inexpensively as possible, keep in mind the real cost of your time, labor, personal risk and overall inconvenience – not to mention the possibility of a poor aesthetic result due to lack of experience

 

Contact us at The Paint Manager to bring your old wood kitchen cabinets back to vibrant new life!

Seven Top Home Painting Myths You Should Know

Seven Top Home Painting Myths You Should Know

 

For some reason, there’s no home improvement project that has more mythology surrounding it than house painting. Knowing fact from fiction is essential if you’re planning to do it yourself. If you expected the job to be easy-peasy, reading the following may prompt you to call a professional. Should you still decide to go it alone (or with family and friends), at least you’ll have a better idea of what you’re getting into.

 

Home DIY, home painting, painting myths

  1. You don’t need a primer – Some people believe it’s important to use a primer, while others think it’s a waste of time, money and energy. The fact of the matter is that if you want to make your walls look smooth, perfect, and professional, you should always apply primer. Moreover, one of the main reasons why using a primer is necessary is because it helps the paint bind well to the wall.

 

  1. You don’t need to clean or sand the walls if you use a primer – No matter how high-quality the primer, it won’t adhere well to a greasy or uneven surface. Family Handyman notes that you should pay special attention to high-traffic, high-touch areas, as well as kitchens, baths and baseboards.

 

  1. You always need to apply two coats for a perfect finish – This may have been true in the past, but the quality of paint has improved over the years. If you apply primer, a single coat should be sufficient. However, if you don’t use primer or are applying a lighter shade over a dark color, two coats may be necessary.

 

  1. Painting the ceiling makes the room look smaller – If interior décor experts are right in declaring that accent walls are no longer trendy, the accent ceiling is on the rise, so to speak. In fact, light walls with a dark ceiling can create the illusion of a taller space. Queen Anne Painting of Seattle expands on this as follows:Home DIY, home painting, painting myths

“… if you paint the ceiling light blue, the room will appear to have a much taller ceiling when in fact, it is the same height it has always been. If you want to avoid the ceiling appearing smaller, be sure you use a medium shade on the walls and a shade or two darker on the ceiling.”

 

  1. Don’t use dark colors, as it will make a small room appear smaller – Not true at all. A room will look big or small depending on the way you style it, and not on the color you use on the walls and ceilings. The way you light the room, the kind of floor you opt for and the type of furniture you use will determine whether your space looks larger or small. In fact, dark walls can make your room appear larger if you do it the right way. If you have lots of windows, light-colored floors and furniture, a bold color can add to more flavor to your room than lighter shades.

 

  1. You don’t need to paint your house if you are planning to sell it – If you’re not selling your home as a “fixer-upper,” most buyers are looking for a move-in ready house. Painting your interior walls neutral colors throughout will create a fresh, clean look that will appeal to the majority of homebuyers. Also keep in mind that dingy walls painted in outdated colors may raise a red flag to potential buyers that your home may not have been carefully maintained, and serious problems could be lurking.

 

  1. You don’t need to hire a professional painting company This depends. Most homeowners lack the experience, expertise and equipment to achieve professional-quality results – not to mention time. Those who are inspired by the numerous home renovation shows on cable TV may think they can tackle the job, but reality could be quite different. If, however, you have a good deal of practical experience on a rehab project or two (and the right equipment), going the DIY route might be successful.

 

Speaking of house painting professionals, The Paint Manager has over two decades of experience in providing high-quality, trusted full-service residential painting for homes of every size and age. Our team does all the demanding prep work and performs skilled, meticulous application to ensure beautiful results. Contact us for an estimate.

In Case You Missed It: 5 Ways to Spruce up A Tiny Living Space

In Case You Missed It: 5 Ways to Spruce up A Tiny Living Space

Big Ideas for Small square footage.

From downtown loft apartments to tiny homes in the wilderness, there is an increasing desire to spruce up a tiny living space. Do not feel cramped in your closet-sized kitchen, here are five great ways to create the illusion of space, despite a lack of square footage.

Creative Ways to add space to a tiny home

Add More Mirrors

Adding mirrors to your space will create an illusion of depth. This is because reflective surfaces catch the light, allowing the space to look wider than it really is. If you feel a little claustrophobic in your small room, try adding mirrors of varying sizes on the walls. A full-length mirror affixed to a door will make the room appear longer. Position the mirrors so that light from a window will catch the reflection, some point in the day.

Repeat Visually Interesting Patterns

tiny living spacesLike mirrors, the repetition of similar patterns tricks your eyes into perceiving depth. This does a lot to increase the perceived size of your tiny living space. Consider repeating lines, alternating colors, or even plaid as a theme in your room. You can choose to apply this pattern to your curtains, comforter, or with the help of a professional painter, on the walls. Try to stick to a scheme of two opposing colors. Choose one central place to focus the pattern. If you put the pattern everywhere, the room may appear cluttered and busy –creating the exact opposite of your intended environment.

Paint the Room

tiny living space
Working with painting contractors, you can choose a paint color and finish that complements the intention of the room. While traditional advice suggests that dark-painted rooms tend to make it feel smaller, the right shade of purple, blue or gray can shift from cramped to cozy in only a few coats. You are in the room to sleep, after all. Avoid bright oranges and yellows in the bedroom for the same reason. Sometimes the difference between matte and glossy can change the perception of the room, drastically.

Play with Neutrals to Open up Space

Kitchens and bathrooms can be notoriously tiny. With a certain degree of required fixtures and appliances, there isn’t much room for you or really anything else. A cramped kitchen can be a disaster when entertaining a crowd. Find an eye-pleasing neutral color, on the lighter side usually, to use in these areas. Choose a glossy finish to help let natural light reflect off the surface.

Get Creative with the Lighting

A bright light can do a lot for a room, and opening the windows is not always an option. Use bright, led lights to bring a cool crisp light into a smaller space. Draping string lights around windows for a warm evening glow can add to the cozy ambiance of a tiny room. The darker a small room is, the smaller it is going to feel.

If you are currently struggling with the design of a tiny living space, contact The Paint Manager. For Interior and exterior paint work, The Paint Manager is the expert in turning your house into a beautiful home.

4 Popular Paint Colors for Today’s Home Seller

4 Popular Paint Colors for Today’s Home Seller

When it comes to prepping a home for sale, many sellers spend a great deal of time and effort focusing on improvements that can be made to increase the value of the house itself. And while it’s true that major home improvements, such as kitchen remodels and deck/patio additions can have a significant return on investment, spending thousands on these renovations isn’t always necessary. Believe it or not, a little paint can go a long way when it comes to a home’s appeal to buyers. And invariably, more appeal can lead to higher offers on a home.

For those preparing a home for listing, there are a few colors to keep in mind in various parts of the home.

1.  Going “Greige” Outside

The outside of a home is the first thing many prospective buyers see, so making a great first impression is important. Sellers should focus on curb appeal by making improvements to the exterior appearance of the home. This can include tidying up landscaping and possibly even repaving a cracked driveway. However, one of the best things sellers can do to increase curb appeal is to repaint the home’s exterior. Today, “greige” (a mix between gray and beige) has a lot of appeals, especially when accented with crisp white trim.

2.  Consider a Bold Front DoorA little paint can go a long way when it comes to a home's appeal to buyers. Here are 4 popular paint colors that will increase the value of your home.

The one exception to the neutral “greige” exterior appeal, on the other hand, is the front door of the home. Today’s buyers love a bold pop of color on a front door for added curb appeal. Bright red has been a popular color choice for many years, though pale blue has recently seen an increase in popularity. It may not seem like adding a pop of color to an exterior door would make such a big difference in curb appeal, but it absolutely can by creating a focal point on the exterior of the home.

3.  Choose a GrAy or Soft Blue Kitchen

For kitchens, recent trends are showing that grays and soft blues are the ideal choices. Buyers like these softer colors in the kitchen because they’re more neutral and clean. Grays and soft blues pair especially well with white kitchen cabinets, which are also on-trend. In fact, those with older wooden cabinets may even want to consider having them painted white or a very light gray and adding some new hardware, such as drawer pulls and handles. This is a great way to modernize the look of a kitchen.

4.  Opt for Neutral Living Roomspopular paint colors

Living rooms and family rooms are one area of the home where more “traditional” neutral colors, such as beige and tan, continue to be preferred. Specifically, tans and creams with bright white trim are very popular and add an airy feel to any space. For those who are turned off by the idea of going all neutral with their paint scheme, it is always an option to add a unique accent wall to living spaces. While super bold accent walls are not appealing to most buyers, sellers can still add a pop of color (such as a muted green or pale yellow) to an otherwise neutral paint scheme to create visual interest as well as a focal point within the room.

It’s incredible what a difference a little bit of paint can make in any home. For those looking to sell in the near future, now is a great time to start considering new paint schemes for key areas of the home and obtaining some estimates from a professional painting company.

Want to upgrade your home to sell fast and increase your sales price by thousands of dollars? Invest in a commercial painting company that knows the colors that sell and can do a professional job in record time.

Happy selling!

Texture is Your Home’s Personality: 5 Ways to Master Texture Design

Texture is Your Home’s Personality: 5 Ways to Master Texture Design

texture design

Your home has everything: perfectly painted walls, nice furniture and relevant accessories. Yet, something still seems missing.

Still you come home from your friend’s with décor-induced jealously. What do they have that you don’t?

Texture design.

Texture is interior design’s response to personality. Uniform styling gives interior design an aesthetic, while differing elements found in knickknacks, plants, frames, fabrics breathe personality.

Not only does this create a physical depth for your home, it creates intrigues. By nature, humans are attracted to unlikely textures and pieces of furniture and decor that we can touch, taste or smell; When it comes to design, then, why not just give in to human nature?

Still not convinced? Consider this: texture is like adding jewelry and shoes to a nice dress. If your drive was nice before, now you have a complete outfit.

Make your home complete with textured interior design.

What is texture design?

Texture in designing spaces can either be tactile or visual. Tactile texture evokes a desire for touch, so that you are forced to feel an object in order to appreciate it. Visual texture is simply stimulating for the eyes. Either way, both elicit a physical reaction.

Take for example a sofa cushion. The cushion cover could be silky, embroidered, smooth, or woven, all of which have their own feel and their own emotion. Silky textures tend to create a more elegant emotion, while woven textures tend to elicit a more relaxed, cozy feeling.

In interior design, texture is generally the assimilation of fabric, metal, wood, ribbon or things with definitive patterns that are used to compliment multifaceted paints, wallpapers, flooring, lighting fixtures, tapestries, furniture, and accessories. Working together, these pieces make the space more interesting and appealing. There is texture in every aspect of interior design; you just have to find the ones that represent you.

Why does your home’s interior need texture?

When tactile elements are missing from an otherwise well-designed space, your room is bound to look bland, boring, or even cold and uninviting.

Texture is that part of a puzzle which, apart from dimension, adds a visual weight to the living space. Visual weight is explained by design experts as the “visual features of a room which compel you to take note of it”.  It takes a perfectly designed room to the next level and binds your living space from top to the bottom.

Just as the right color scheme creates a feeling of warmth, textures can make your room look modern, intimate or rustic. For example, textures with glossy and smooth finish make your room look modern, while natural and rough textures bring out a cozier, more intimate feel.

room painting ideas

With texture, placement is equally vital. Finding the right place for certain items will add subtlety to your space. For example, balancing a rough object next to a smooth one makes the latter stand out more than if you plan to put it at a distance. This makes placement and/ or distance a crucial factor. If something feels unbalanced or disproportionately mismatched, it probably is.

While textures are meant to be mixed, some do not play well with others.

Mix your metals, your picture frames, your couch pillows. If any of your textures are too similar, too matchy-matchy, these items will bore the eye. Just as mixing one polar opposite style of design with another (i.e. modern with rustic) will make the room feel crowded and uncomfortable.

How can you bring texture design to your space?

With the virtues of texture now established, let’s explore some ways you can add texture to any room in your home.

texture design1. Textured Furniture:

Your furniture should the focal point of your room. It sets the tone for the overall feel.

Think of interesting finds: satin chairs, marble tabletop and/ or wooden worktops, and metal couch side tables.

2. Textured Flooring:

Rugs, carpets, wooden flooring or tiles- A perfectly placed rug can lend a lot of weight to the texture and vibe of the room. Shag rug for a cozy family room? Elegantly patterned rug for the dining room?

Definitive patterns of floor tiles or wooden flooring add credibility and interest to your space.

3. Textured Fabric:

Like rugs, using fabric in appropriate places like, pillows, slip texture designcovers, window curtains, even the napkins on your dining room table can add levels of aesthetic interest. Patterned, quilted, or faux fur blankets are easy and understandably wonderful tactile texture to throw over a couch, chair, bench, or bed.

4. Textured Walls:

Paint, wall paper, and crown moldings are just the beginning of the texture of your walls. You could even consider the “exposed brick” look with paneling a wall with faux bricks.

Beyond that, gallery walls are texture’s best friend. In an intentionally disordered display, arrange a variety of picture frames, canvases, mirrors, and even wreaths to your walls. Gallery walls typically look best behind a couch or through a hallway.

5. Textured Accessories:

This gives you the opportunity for your knickknacks to show off your personality. Have a vintage, tin cigar box? Pair it with white, wide candles. Currently reading this Oprah’s book of the month? Strategically store it on a rustic tray on your ottoman. Need a place for your new Amazon Alexis speaker? Hide it next to potted plants or cacti. The possibilities are endless. These textures will tell the story of you.

Texture is more about striking a balance and getting the combinations right. This is the reason why you need to consult an expert when it comes to interior designing ideas. If you are based in Central Florida contact The Paint Manager for bringing personality to your room.

For great ideas and job satisfaction get in touch with The Paint Manager now.

Hygge Decor [hue-gah]: The Danish Design for 2017

Hygge Decor [hue-gah]: The Danish Design for 2017

Alright, your alarm clock rings at 4:50am even though you didn’t fall into a real sleep until 3:30am. You cringe at your alarm while looking for the hair tie you lost somewhere in your pillows. Your dog, whose 80 pound body is splayed across your bed, is unfazed by the alarm and your agitated muttering. He has an entire day of sleeping ahead of him and cannot be interrupted by your responsibilities; spin class at 5:15am, his walk and breakfast upon your return, your shower, and your workday preparations…did you remember to put that PDF on your thumb drive?

Around 4:52am you muster the courage to turn on the light. Then a sigh of relief as you sit at the edge of your bed. Why? Because this morning routine inspired your new interior design; Hygge. And you couldn’t be happier.
This Danish design is meant for your wellbeing; literally. Hygge decor is meant to serenade you with its cozy calmness. Think of the serenity of a spa but the comfort of a rustic fire place juxtaposed to a window with snow on the other side.

Feeling swaddled yet? Comprised of a mostly mute, white backdrop with gentle earth tone like light greys, exposed rustic wood, and exposed strung lights for a complimentary soft glow (warm lighting also attests for better selfies).

The Danish design for 2017 is meant not only for you but for your guests. Yes, it is a gentle encouragement towards hospitality; opening your doors to your neighbors, sharing a bottle of wine with your friends, and yes, even snuggling up to your dog on the couch.

Hygge decor is a movement towards gracious welcoming’s and intimate stays. Is your home your sanctuary yet?

If not, here are the Hygge decor basics:

● Texture.

Think chunky woven blankets in neutral colors from brands like Behr. A faux wool rug for when your feet get cold. Mismatched pillows of the same color scheme. Utilize objects in a refreshing way; use stacked books for a tabletop, use your kitchen’s windowsill as your mug “cabinet”, use a an old candle holder as vase. Despite maintaining a muted color scheme, using different textures enhances the room’s deliverance of relaxation.

hygge decor

 

● Wall Art.

Hygge still encourages personality through wall art. Consider using differently shaped and sized frames hung in no particular order. Family photo? Wreath? Canvas? Mirror? Or even a refurbished window frame? Adding texture through your personality and memories can create a museum of warmth and familiarity. Surrounding yourself with images of the things you love releases a comfort in the atmosphere similar to that of your childhood bedroom.

hygge decor

 

● You.

You are the central focus of Hygge. If you’re not there to feel Hygge, what’s the point of Hygge-ing your home? If you do not feel welcome or at ease in your own home, neither will your guests. The purpose of Hygge is to complement your mind’s ease, not contradict it. It’s about enhancing the safest state of mind for you, to offer you solace after it took you an hour and fifteen minutes get home from rush hour traffic.

hygge decor
Hygge decor offers interior design an experience more so than just its aesthetic. It modestly and oh so effortlessly boasts itself as a feeling instead of a design blueprint. In the New Year, what more could you ask for? Perhaps a few less conference calls and a few more candles for 2017?
If you’re unfamiliar with color swatches or already have accent colors of your own that need a Hygge companion, have The Paint Manager help you decide which tones will look the best, feel the best, and put you at ease.
So go ahead, heat some cocoa, decompress. Your alarm will sound again at 4:50am tomorrow but tonight you and your dog are being wrapped in a Hygge hug.

Show Your Home Some Love: 6 Design Tips to Make You Fall in Love Again

Show Your Home Some Love: 6 Design Tips to Make You Fall in Love Again

Love design tips3You look at your husband and you almost see him the same way you saw him 40 years ago. Yes, he traded in his leather jacket for cargo shorts and New Balance sneakers. Yes, his James Dean hair has lost a few, well, inches. Yes, he still hates your lasagna. But he is still the same Valentine you’ve always wanted, even with a changing exterior.

Now, can’t you say the same about your house? You fell in love with your home at one point in time for a reason. Sure, you find yourself thinking, “my skylights need replacing”, or, “Why did I paint the kids’ bathroom that green?”, or “how much would it cost to just move?”

While, yes, it would be nice if you could just pack up your belongings (and strategically leaving the cargo shorts behind) and move into your dream home, it just isn’t likely. But that is okay! You already have everything you need to show your home some love. After all, isn’t that what you built your home on? Love? Cheesy, I know. Moving on…

6 Design Tips to Make You Fall in Love Again

1. Go ahead, put your son to work, have him move the furniture around for you.
Rearranging your furniture is a good alternative for purchasing new pieces. Consider exchanging furniture from room to room. Ever think about using that drop down desk as a cabinet for your microwave? You could stain the wood to match the cabinets of your kitchen and hide the microwave that is internally, permanently stained from someone not putting a lid over their spaghetti…

2. Out with the old and out with some more of it…
Donate the things you don’t use or like anymore. Most of the problem with not loving our homes comes from us not even being able to see it anymore. Clothes, vases, that pot you never returned to your neighbor from three years ago. All that needs to go, including couch that you’ve secretly hated since your husband brought it home twelve years ago. You’ve avoided hurting his feelings for twelve years, just tell him it’s time for it to go.

3. Opening up a room is like adding a room onto your house; without all the dust and hassle.
Paint your rooms more uplifting colors. Neutral colors, yellows, grayscale, off-whites, muted blues have a tendency of lightening up a room. If you don’t think you can afford (or want) to paint a whole room, have you thought about painting some furniture? Painting furniture not only makes it look like a new piece but it can add something special to a room you’ve seen a thousand times. It’s like your husband putting on slacks instead of his cargo shorts, a nice change to see.

4. Create a real-life Instagram post in your home.
If you must spend money on redecorating consider this: go to your Instagram (or whatever site you use for inspiring home photos), find a post you like and try to recreate it in your home. Is it of a fuzzy blanket and mug of tea? Okay, go to Homegoods for a fuzzy blanket, pillows, rugs, or a lazy boy- style chair and create a cozy sanctuary for your evening tea. Just a small place of your own might make you look at your house differently…even if your dog ends up taking it for themselves.

5. Display your memories as a gallery.
Create a gallery in your home with pictures, maps, and prints you already own. Just switch out frames for a less uniform look. The different textures and sizes on your wall will make you feel like there’s another new room in your house. Michaels Craft Store and Joann Fabrics always have sales on frames. It’s just vamping up what you already own. Additionally, it’ll make your kids feel like they came home to their own hall of fame during breaks from college.

6. Be grateful you have a house that loves you back.
Lastly, be grateful. Love is shown in different ways. Your husband shows it by doing the dishes because he knows how much wet food grosses you out. Your house shows it by keeping you, your family, and your memories safe. You have a roof over your head, food to cook in a kitchen, and a bed for your dog. Those are all wins in my book.

Remodels are a form of love. Show your home some love with these minor changes. These minor changes also show your wallet some love with the lose cost of each tip. If you are based in Central Florida, just call The Paint Manager today and discuss how they can assist in showing your home some love. For me, I think I’ll stop by Homegoods on my way home from work…you know, for research…

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