How to Caulk Properly Before Painting

Renovate Your Kitchen Cabinets on a Budget

April 28, 2020

It’s one of the most time-honored questions of interior decorating – how can you make a small space feel larger? It’s a question that’s especially pertinent for family homes and apartment living. A family home can start to feel pretty cluttered, and apartments in cities such as New York and London aren’t famed for their spaciousness. How can you make these spaces feel bigger without spending a fortune? There are plenty of tips and tricks that can be used to make a space feel bigger than it really is, from lighting to the arrangement of mirrors. But what about your color scheme? How can you use paint to make your walls and rooms seem bigger than they really are? 1. Use Light Colors First and foremost, you need to fall back on the oldest trick in the decorating book when it comes to making a room seem larger, and that’s using light colors. Light reflects better off of lighter surfaces than dark ones, and light is the key to making a space look and feel larger. The same holds true for mirrors – the lighter the room’s paint scheme, the more you’ll be able to take advantage of any mirrors’ reflective abilities to make the space seem bigger. You’ll, therefore, want to opt for beiges, butters, creams, eggshells, and similar light colors. 2. All in the (Color) Family One way to make a space seem larger is to make it appear unified. Having the same décor scheme from wall to wall and room to room can make everything feel like a single joined-together whole, which in turn can make everything feel much larger. You, thus, want to choose colors from the same color family. If you are going with cream, for example, and want to accent your base color, choose another cream or similar color to do so. 3. Ceiling Color Contrast One of the best ways to play around with the perspective of your room and make it feel more spacious is by painting your ceiling a different color than the rest of the space. This works especially well if you’ve followed the second step and have painted your walls, doors, and accented areas in the same color family. Given that backdrop, a differently-colored ceiling can appear even taller than it is, which in turn can make your room appear bigger. 4. Create an Accent Wall Another classic way of playing with perspective in painting is to direct the viewer’s eyes to a single space on the canvas. The same trick can work for your home in the form of an accent wall. This wall should be a different color from the rest of the room. The idea is that if this space really stands out and is lit well enough to have the color really pop, it will direct guests’ attention to that point. If that accent wall is positioned at the right point in your room (such as the back or side of your kitchen) it can make the whole space feel bigger. Make a small space feel all the bigger and bolder with these interior painting tips today.

How to Make Your Small Rooms Seem Larger

May 25, 2020

Published by clikwiz on May 11, 2020

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Caulking is very important to do before you paint for a number of reasons. When you paint the exterior of your home, caulk can seal the joints to prevent moisture and rain from coming through into the home. On the interior, caulk helps to make smooth transitions between joints or wood. The key is to make sure that you caulk correctly so it does the job that you intend it to do.

Materials and Supplies You Will Need

To caulk properly, you will need a good caulking gun. You will want to find one with a dripless design as well as a high thrust ratio so that you won’t have to squeeze too hard. You should also have a cotton rag and a bucket of water as well as a roll of paper towels and a caulk finishing tool.

You need caulk and you should make sure that you get caulk designed for the job you plan to do. If you are caulking indoors, you should use acrylic latex caulk plus silicone for the best sealant. Outdoor caulk should specify that it is intended for use outdoors.

Prepare to Caulk

The first step that you will take is to open your caulk tube and place it in the caulk gun. Your gun might have a cutter on the side by the trigger to cut open the tube of caulk; either way, you should cut the tip at a 45-degree angle because it will be easier to use effectively. You should make small cuts until you have the hole opening the size that you want it to be.

If the area you plan to caulk has old caulking in that is cracking or pulling away, you should take a tool and remove it first. You want to have a clean area free of debris before you begin. If you are caulking a new area, it should be ready with little preparation.

Apply the Caulking

Hold the caulk gun at a 45-degree angle and aim the hole towards the joint. Make sure that you apply it with even pressure as you go. You should only use enough caulk to cover the new joint. If you use too much, you will just need to wipe it away later. Follow the joint until you have completed this line.

Now you can use your finger or your caulk finishing tool to smooth out the strip of caulk. You should press it into the joint firmly so that it leaves a smooth finish. You can wet your finger or the tool first to prevent the caulk from sticking to it. Use your paper towels to wipe your fingers or the tool when you finish, then take your damp rag and clean away any extra caulk that is left behind.

Your joint should be smooth and look seamless when you finish. If you have a lot of extra caulk all over the place, you can use less when you move to the next joint. The key is to make sure that there aren’t any cracks or gaps left behind. Be sure that the area looks smooth and tidy.