People with smaller apartments or a tight budget often take their apartment painting work as a DIY project. While apartment painting may appear easy, it’s not the reality. Beginners and even expert DIY people can get it entirely wrong, leading to a disappointing result.
If you still want to pursue it, ensure you don’t make the apartment painting mistakes listed below.
Common Apartment Painting Mistakes to Avoid
1. Skipping Surface Preparation
Many homeowners jump straight into the painting process without even preparing their walls. Missing this step always results in peeling, bubbling, and uneven finishes. Since walls accumulate dust, grease, etc., their surface prevents the paint from adhering smoothly.
The easiest way to avoid it is by cleaning your walls using vacuum and then washing them using a solution of warm water and white vinegar before applying paint.
2. Neglecting Primer Application
It’s another common apartment painting mistake that people make to save some extra time and money. Primer is a non-negotiable part of painting processes because it acts as the bridge between your wall surfaces and the top paint coat. It improves both paint adhesion and brings out the paint’s true colour vibrancy.
If you don’t want your painted walls to look uneven, dull, or crackling, then apply a good-quality primer before starting the painting work.
3. Underestimating Paint Quantity
If you plan to paint your entire apartment, don’t make the mistake of buying smaller quantities of paint. Many amateur painters make this mistake, leading them to rush to stores to buy more paint. You can avoid this mistake by accounting for areas of walls, doors, windows, etc., to ensure you don’t run out of paint in the middle of the painting process.
4. Choosing the Wrong Paint Sheen
Selecting paint sheen based solely on appearance rather than function creates maintenance nightmares. This single mistake can make even the smallest wall imperfections perfectly visible.
Hence, choose sheen based on the area, wall type, etc. If you’re confused, then you may explore eggshell or satin finishes. Both these sheens are durable and facilitate wall cleaning while retaining the paint’s colour depth.
5. Using Cheap Brushes and Rollers
Some try to save money by buying cheap brushes and rollers. It may look like a value deal, but you can start seeing its impact on your walls after a few weeks of painting. Cheap brushes and rollers shed bristles onto your walls and create a streaky coverage.
They also absorb excessive paint that never makes it to your wall. Hence, invest in a good-quality brush or roller if you want good finishing.
6. Overworking the Paint
One of the most common apartment painting mistakes is brushing or rolling paint over the same area multiple times.
If you make this mistake, be ready to witness visible brush marks, texture differences, and an uneven appearance on your walls.
To prevent this mistake, apply the paint confidently in smooth strokes and then leave it alone to dry.
6. Failing to Maintain a Wet Edge
It’s another apartment painting mistake that is grossly overlooked by people. Some try to paint their walls too slowly or in sections that are too large. This mistake can create visible lap marks on your walls where wet and dry wall paint meet. The easiest way to avoid this mistake is by working in manageable sections of four to six feet, cutting in edges with a brush first. Then, immediately roll the paint on the adjacent wall before anything dries.
7. Ignoring Paint Can Instructions for Dry Time
Just because the applied paint feels dry to the touch within minutes doesn’t mean it’s ready for a second coat. Everyone should learn the difference between ‘dry to the touch’ and ‘recoat time’ before painting any wall.
If you apply the second coat too early, the first coat can peel away and create bubbles, blisters, etc. Hence, check the instructions on the paint can about its dry and recoat time to avoid this mistake.
8. Skipping Painter’s Tape
Even if you’re confident of keeping your hand steady while painting, you shouldn’t make the mistake of not using painter’s tape. When paint is on the brush or roller, even the smallest miscalculation can send tiny paint droplets to where you don’t want them.
If you don’t want imperfections in your final result, then use a high-quality painter’s tape to secure sections that don’t require any paint.
7. Improper Paint Storage
This point is important if you have leftover paint and you want to reuse it after a few months for a quick touch-up. Storing paint in garages or unheated spaces can cause it to freeze, making it unusable. Hence, always store leftover paint in climate-controlled areas where it remains in the same condition for an extended period.
Conclusion
Painting your apartment on your own can seem like a cost-saving option, but even small mistakes can lead to poor and uneven results. As a professional painting service, we’ve seen many homeowners struggle with issues like peeling paint, visible brush marks, and dull finishes; all due to avoidable errors. By preparing surfaces properly, using quality tools, and following the right techniques, you can achieve long-lasting and flawless walls.
If you’d rather leave it to the experts, our team ensures a smooth, professional finish that enhances your apartment’s look and value.
