Ensure that the exterior temperature is correct for painting. Believe it or not it will make a big difference. For exteriors, ensure that the day is warm and dry, that there is no moisture on the surface that you are going to paint (for solvent based paints), and do not paint in direct sunlight any surfaces that may absorb heat excessively. The best temperature range to paint in is 15 degrees C to 25 degrees C. If the temperature range is below 10 degrees C or over 35 degrees C do not paint unless the paint you are using has those temperature tolerances specified.

Painting generally follows the following sequence of application: primer, sealer, stain, undercoat, paint and clear coating. Obviously if you are painting over an existing painted surface you only need to do the finishing coats of paint.

Place plastic drop sheets over any furniture remaining in the space and cover the floor. This should protect them from any wayward splashes of paint! Don't use old sheets as the paint goes straight through and will ruin your precious possessions.

Use a proper paint stirrer. This is flat and has holes for the paint to move through. It makes it easier to stir, and mixes it better.

To get the best control of your paintbrush, hold the brush between your thumb and fingers as you would a pen. Dip about a third of the brush into the paint, then press it against the side to remove any excess, don't scrape it over the edge of the tin as this creates bubbles in the brush then in turn creates bubbles on your paint job.

Use a roller to paint ceilings and walls. A paintbrush is necessary for painting edges as the roller cannot reach corners and will mark adjacent areas if taken too close. (An edge painter is available, this is a paint pad with wheels on it which creates a band of paint around the edge of the surface you are painting). Use a step ladder to reach the ceiling, or if you don't want to strain your neck, place the roller on a pole.

Use textured paint as the perfect cover up for existing ceilings that require major work. It is thick and lumpy and reflects the light in multiple directions successfully hiding imperfections. You can create patterns in the paint using specialist rollers. It is not recommended for walls as it is abrasive and a dust catcher!

Lee Brown

Lee Brown is a professional designer with 14 years experience and co founder of interiordezine.com, a website dedicated to providing free interior design and decorating information. She has specialized in commercial interior design, restaurants, bars, office fitouts, education facilities, and more recently, high class luxury homes. Together with her husband Chris Brown she runs a successful Architectural Design business. Lee has been writing interior design and decorating articles for their website for three years now and has decided to share her expertise even further by offering her articles to others. She has won awards for color and loves pushing the envelope of design, to get achieve the end result of originality of design. Therefore she is definately a leader and not a folllower of design trends. She believes that design is an extremely personal experience for those taking part, it can drastically change the way a person feels in their environment, so it really important to bring out the clients passion and own inner style. This way you always have happy customers with unique and individual interior schemes! I hope you enjoy reading what I have to offer.