Posts Tagged "Repaint on a Budget"

How to Repaint on a Budget

Posted by on Oct 7, 2017 in Painting | Comments Off on How to Repaint on a Budget

Repainting any space is one quick way of freshening up your home, but $30 a gallon for premium quality paint is no joke because a medium-sized bedroom requires 2 to 3 gallons of paint. If you are prepared for a new look but only have a few dollars to splurge, these seven ideas will assist you to find and access the paint you need to change the look of your walls without spending a fortune.

Repaint on a BudgetCheck your local recycling center

Recycling centers often take paint from local businesses that need to dispose of old, unused paint. Since paint has a long shelf life, most of the paint thrown away in these centers are still good and usable. The best bit is that you can collect such paints free!

Stop by the hardware store frequently

Paint specialty stores, hardware stores and Wal-Marts often have sections for mis-tints where they display and sell discolored paint products for a fraction of its initial cost. For instance, you can sometimes buy a $35 gallon of premium quality paint for under $15 at Lowes.

Invest in better paint

For paints, the quality you get depends on the amount you are willing to pay. Even though you may not think of going for the most expensive paint products, higher-end paints cover better, prompting the need to use less paint. They are also less messy and tend to be more durable, giving you a long-lasting impression.

Use primer

At times, you do not have to use primer, but if you are painting raw drywall, wood, rough surfaces, or stained surfaces, you need to use a primer. Moreover, if you are dramatically changing the color of your surfaces, the primer will help you to paint the cover better, thus the need for less paint. One layer of primer and one layer of paint is cheaper than two or three layers of paint.

Learn to paint like a pro

Amateur painters tend to squeeze out all paint from the roller every time. This rather makes sense, as you would use all the paint on the roller. However, rolling on thicker coats with a lighter touch uses less paint and appears more professional.

Buy in bulk

Purchasing paint in the five-gallon can is much cheaper than purchasing it in one-gallon containers. A five-gallon paint bucket costs about the same as four one-gallon buckets, thus securing a whole gallon of paint free. If you are painting a bigger area, pick one color to use for a greater fraction of the surface and you can save money.

Cover your rollers and brushes.

At times, it takes some days to complete a massive painting project. If you feel the need to pause before you finish a paint color, do not rinse the brushes and rollers.  This is only a waste of paint and time! Instead, tightly wrap them in plastic bags and tie with a rubber band. When you are ready to continue the next day, just unwrap, and you are ready to go.

However, the easiest way of saving on paint is by buying smaller quantities. If you are on a tight budget, consider redecorating your room with an accent wall, rather than painting the entire surface. The other excellent way of upgrading the appearance of a room if you still like the current color scheme is by painting the ceiling with a lighter version of the wall color.

Read More