Pre-sale DIY: How To Repaint Your House

Your home is an important investment and putting a bit of extra love into it before selling can be well worth your time. Presentation is key and a fresh lick of paint is the quickest and easiest way to refresh your home's interior.

To help you get the best results and a little bit of extra cash in your pocket, here's a step-by-step guide to repainting your home.

Choosing your paint

• There are many surprising ways to create more space in your home and repainting with neutral colours will achieve a light, fresh and spacious feeling in your interior.
• Measure the surfaces you are planning to paint so that you only buy the amount necessary.
• Choosing high-quality, low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints will be beneficial to the look and feel of your surface. It is also best to ask a paint specialist what type of paint is suitable for what surfaces.
• Once you’ve chosen a colour, it’s a good idea to ask for a sample pot and paint a small portion onto the wall to make sure the colour is right.

Surface preparation

• Remove any marks on the walls using sugar soap.
• If you have any gaps or holes it's best to use filler and a blade to patch them up.
• The surface will need to be smoothed using sandpaper and/or a sanding block.
• Before painting, cover the floor and any immovable furniture with drop sheets.
• Remove door handles and light switch covers so that you don’t accidentally paint them.
• If the paint you’re using requires an undercoat, apply this and leave to dry.

Painting

• Mix the paint well with a paint stirrer. Stir from the bottom upwards until the paint is smooth and consistent.
• Always start with the ceiling. Paint the cornices first using a brush then cover the remaining surface area using a roller.
• Before painting the walls, use a cutting-in brush to paint the corners and wall edges, and around windows and door frames, then paint the main surface area with a roller.
• When painting, do not apply too much pressure. A light and smooth application with make sure you are left with an even finish.
• Finish by painting the frames of windows and doors with a brush. Apply masking tape to the inside edges so that you don't get any paint on the glass.

A fresh coat of paint makes staging your home for sale simple and you’ll be amazed at the look and feel of your home.

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