Useful decorating tips from our customers:
-
If you need to use old paint, strain the paint through a pair of tights.
This will remove the lumps from the paint! - Sharon, West
London
-
Paint one wall in a room in a brighter or lighter shade of your current
wall colour. I change the colour of a wall in my living room at least
once a year. It's only paint, it's cheap! - Laura, Somerset
-
Before
you start your paint job make sure you have bought enough paint. Don't
buy the "end of line special offer shade" that will most
likely be sold out the next time you visit the store! - Simon,
London
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When
accessorising your home, don't buy products just because they are
a bargain. Invest in good quality products and treat them as an investment
in the value of your home! – Linda, London
-
Only
buy top quality paint. You will need to apply fewer coats and the
end result will look much better. – Richard, East Sussex
- Putting
an elastic band under the bristles around a paint brush will prevent
paint running down the handle of the brush. - Scott, Lincolnshire
- Don't
clutter up a room with a million little collectibles. Most of us will
feel it is too crowded! - Rachel, Devon
-
When
painting skirting boards etc, to prevent paint hitting the floor use
a ruler against the wall/floor join. This gives a neat and tidy result
and no paint on the floor. - Deana, Oxfordshire
-
Baby
wipes work wonders for removing paint splats on hands or any hard
surface...even removes gloss paint! Also if you are going to have
break from painting, wrap a baby wipe around your brush and cover
with clingfilm - keeps your brush from drying out for hours. -
Joanne
-
Old
office furniture, like filing cabinets can be spruced up quite easily
by rubbing down and using spray paint. Make sure you've got enough
to spray each item to match and they'll look like they were made as
a set! - Janet, Suffolk
- When you've
finished painting and sealed the tin again, tip the tin upside down
then right way up again - next time you open it there won't be a hard
skin on the top of the paint. - Cristina, Devon
- To prevent
brushes drying out over lunch or if you have to go out for an hour or
two, but save washing them, thoroughly wrap in clingfilm so they don't
dry out. - Pierre, Devon
- Put toilet
rolls in a wicker basket - practical but attractive! - Coralie,
Scotland
- Use disposable
gloves when painting...saves trying to get the paint off afterwards.
- Tracy,
Norfolk
- Get all
your friends in and finish in a weekend. -
Keith, Wales
- Re-vamp
junk furniture by painting and distressing, then buffing with a car
polisher and a little wax. - Inger, Suffolk
- Lay everything
out you need to do the job before you start. - Andrew, Yorkshire
- A bath
towel can cover a small pillow, changing color and texture. Wrap the
pillow with the towel as if you were wrapping a gift, then pin or sew
the edges in place. - Lisa,
Northants
- If, like
me, you are tempted by darker colours and are unsure what depth of colour
to paint a room, buy a tester pot, split it into five parts, and dilute
exponentially (ie no water in first part, one quarter in next, and so
on). Make sure you paint on a neutral test area and always paint a strip
of the dilutions on a piece of white card, in case you need to colour
match. Five colour tests for the price of one! -
Lisa, Lancashire
- When using
a paint roller and tray, place the tray in a carrier bag, pour on paint,
and when done throw away the bag. Saves on cleaning up time afterwards.
- Jackie, Herts
- Make sure
everything is covered with plastic sheeting to prevent accidents happening!
- Susan, Kent
- Let the
wife do it, otherwise you will be wrong.... - Shaun, Suffolk
- Send the
children and husband to the park! - Pauline, Notts
- Pay somebody
else to do it!! -
Kirsten, Dorset
- Half an
onion left n a saucer overnight in a newly painted room will get rid
of all paint smells - Beverley, Derbyshire
- Use a
string with a weight attached to the bottom (I use an old cotton reel)
to make sure that the first roll of wallpaper is straight. Also start
from a place that isn't in your direct eyeline from the door entrance
in case the walls are slightly off. - Carmel, Merseyside
- Don't
throw away sheets or blankets that have become tired. Save them to cover
furniture when painting.(I'm moving house soon so I'm glad I saved mine
too!) - Claudette, Kent
- You can
easily (and without spending too much money!) change the look of your
bedroom decor by making a slipcover for your headboard. - Lisa,
Scotland
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