When you painted a room in your home, did you plan for the project? If you aren't an experienced painter, there is some research that needs to be done before the brush touches the paint. Here, you'll find a few tips that can help you get your paintwork done and have it looking great when you're done.

Paint Selection

This can be the most difficult step in the painting process—choosing the color, the type, and brand of paint for the project.

Latex or Oil-Based Paints – Rule of Thumb – Oil can be used to cover latex paint, but latex cannot be used to cover oil. If you're unsure if the existing paint is oil or latex, get a cotton ball and some rubbing alcohol. Rub the cotton ball over the surface; if the color comes off onto the cotton ball, the paint is latex—no color means it's oil-based paint.

Color – This decision can hold up the entire project, but it should not be made at the store. Instead, visit the paint store and select several different color options. Take them home and tape them to the wall that you're painting. This will show you exactly what it will look like in the space. Buy a small sample size of the color if you're unsure. This will allow you to test it out and see how it dries and what it looks like in the lighting of the room.

Finish – Glossy, semi-gloss, flat, eggshell, and satin are the main types of finish that you'll have to choose from.

• Shiny finishes, like the glossy or semi-gloss, will show any blemishes on the wall, but they are very easy to keep clean.
• Flat paints are nearly impossible to keep clean, but will hide most of the blemishes.
• Eggshell and satin are great universal finishes; they can be used in bathrooms, kitchens, and all of the other living areas, clean up well, and don't show every blemish on the wall.

Tools and Supplies

The tools and supplies that you select will not only impact the quality of the finished product, but it will also determine how easily the project is for you to complete.

Tape – Don't skip the tape. Pick up a few rolls of the 3" painter's tape. The wider tape will help to decrease the chances of getting paint on things that you don't want it on.

Brushes and Rollers – Don't buy the bottom line brushes and rollers. Look for the ones that are meant for use with the type of paint that you're working with, as well as the texture of the surface that you're painting.

If you are worried, one way to make sure that the project is done right is to hire some professional painters like Kendys Painting Inc and let them do the work for you.