A new paint color can dramatically transform a house or room from drab and dull to lovely and bright. Whether you're painting the exterior of your home or the interior, just make sure to take the right steps so your paint job comes out looking clean and professional. Read on for tips on how to paint your house properly.

Choose a paint color

Selecting the right paint color is one of the most important steps in painting your house. Browse paint stores and bring home swatches (paper samples) of paint colors you think you’d like to try. Tape the swatches to the area you’d like to paint.

Leave the swatches on your wall for a few days so you can get a good idea of how the color appears throughout the day. Different lighting patterns can dramatically affect the appeal of a color. You want to be sure the color you select looks good in the different types of lighting situations that occur throughout the day at your home.

Get the right equipment

If you don’t have the right painting supplies, a quality paint job will be hard to pull off. Be sure to purchase the proper painting supplies for the type of job you’re planning. Ask a sales associate at your paint store for guidance on the types of tools you’ll need. As a general rule, large areas are easier to paint using a paint roller while smaller areas can be completed with only brushes.

Keep your supply purchase on the cheap by avoiding name brand and designer products. Brushes and rollers largely consist of the same quality regardless of manufacturer, so go for the least expensive version you can find.

Prepare your painting surface

Make sure the surface you’re planning to paint is prepared appropriately. Walls that consist of plywood or drywall need a coat of primer before being painted. If you’re painting an area previously covered by wallpaper, you’ll need to completely remove all wallpaper before beginning your painting project.

Take care of yourself while painting

Painting around your home can be arduous, depending on the type and size of area you’d like to paint. The surest way to overtax yourself is to take on too much work in a single day. Avoid this problem by doing the following:

• Ask for help. Painting can be a lot more fun (and can go much more quickly) when you have help. Don’t be shy about asking friends to come over for a painting party. In most cases, others will be happy to help you out. Show them your gratitude by having a pizza or other tasty food delivered during the painting process.
• Ventilate your painting area. Paint fumes can easily cause a headache or upper respiratory problem. Take care to avoid such maladies by painting in a well-ventilated area. If you’re painting a location that is not near a window, place a fan nearby to help circulate fresh air. Go outside for five minutes at least once an hour and take a few deep breaths before returning to your painting project.
• Know that your painting project will wait for you. Don’t make the mistake of painting a room the night before someone is scheduled to use it. Instead, give yourself ample time to complete your painting project. If you find yourself feeling tired or rushed, discontinue the project until you feel well-rested. Painting while tired can lead to mistakes and splatters. Instead, give yourself a break. You can rest assured that the project will still be waiting for you when you return.

Clean your supplies right after painting

The best time to clean your painting supplies is immediately after you’ve finished your painting project. Your goal should be to clean up before the paint dries on your brush, your roller, and in your paint tray.

Start by pouring any excess paint back into your paint can. If your paint tray still contains paint, use your brush to scrape out the surplus. If your roller still contains paint, put latex gloves on and wring the roller out over your paint can. To get excess paint off a paintbrush, simply press the brush bristles into the inside opening of your paint can.

If you haven’t fully completed your painting job but need to finish up for the day, you can save yourself some time on cleanup by storing your supplies in your refrigerator overnight. Simply wrap your paintbrush, roller, or paint tray in aluminum foil. Place the supplies in your refrigerator. Make sure the folds of the aluminum foil are facing up so you don’t risk leaks of excess paint inside your refrigerator.

Complete the job

Approximately one day after you’ve completed your painting job, take the time to survey edges, corners, and hard to reach areas. If you find that you’ve missed anything or if any area needs a second coat, take your paint can out and remedy the problem right away. If you don’t, you may find that you simply never get back to completing the project.

Use a small paintbrush for touching up mistakes. It allows you more dexterity and means an easier cleanup.

A good job is worth doing right

Take the time to do a good job with your painting project. If you’re going to invest the time and resources needed to paint an area in your house, then it’s worth making sure you do the job right. Not only will this allow you to avoid having to repaint any areas, you’ll also be able to enjoy a quality paint job for years to come.