Get matched with top interior painters in Society Hill, SC

You’ll often have picture-perfect results by painting over the old color. However, if you’re transitioning from a dark wall color to a light one, you’ll want to use a primer first to save yourself from applying multiple coats for coverage. Also, if you’re moving from an oil-based paint to a water-based one and vice versa, you’ll want to use a primer. Don’t forget to spackle over any holes or dents before adding your new paint color.

Matching new paint with an old, faded color can be tricky. First, you’ll need to determine whether the paint on your house is latex-based or oil-based. Lightly scrub an inconspicuous area of your home with rubbing alcohol—if the alcohol scrubs away the paint, it’s latex-based. If not, the paint is oil-based. 

Once you have that settled, bring a paint chip or photo of the color to a paint professional and have them mix you a matching paint in the same base (latex or oil). Then paint another inconspicuous part of your house to see if it’s a match.

Paint sprayers come with a few disadvantages, with the most notable being the up-front cost. You’ll spend a few hundred dollars on a paint sprayer in most cases, while a roller and brushes will typically cost under $40. Sprayers also require more preparation to cover the areas you don’t want to paint, and they require more technique to get your paint applied without drips or bubbles from applying too much paint at once.

Painting walls white can make your space appear cleaner, brighter, and simpler. It creates a blank canvas for you to explore your home decor skills and doesn't limit your creativity. White walls are common in homes for this reason so it's always good to consider, especially if you plan to sell your home in the future.