Though it certainly took its time this year, it seems like summer might finally be here. And with the light early mornings and dry, warm evenings (without too much rain – fingers crossed!), now is the perfect time to start thinking about what DIY jobs you are going to tackle.
The more hospitable summer weather offers the perfect opportunity for painting both the interior and exterior of your house, since paint generally requires temperatures on the right side of ‘ambient’ to dry properly and comprehensively. With that in mind, here are 7 painting and decorating jobs to tackle this summer.
MASONRY
Painting exterior walls is one of the largest painting and decorating projects you can undertake, especially if you are planning on painting the full exterior of your house. And in the UK, this is only really possible in June, July and August, quite frankly, when the risk of rain is lower, the days longer, and the temperatures warm enough for paint to dry efficiently.
There are a number of important things to consider when painting exterior walls, the first of which is that it is crucial that you use a high-quality masonry paint that is specifically designed for external surfaces such as brick, pebble dash, concrete and stone.
You should be aware at this stage that whilst the majority of masonry paints are marketed as having weatherproof abilities, they often allow moisture to soak into the exterior wall, which then causes the paint to peel and flake off. This is why it is highly recommended that you use a waterproof masonry paint that will repel water, thus allowing the paint to stay unaffected by moisture. Because let’s face it, even in summer, the Great British weather can be pretty unpredictable.
Look for those masonry paints that come with a lifetime guarantee and are self-cleaning, meaning your exterior walls will stay looking pristine for decades.
When painting your exterior walls, it is important to ensure you allocate enough time to complete the full project. This includes allowing as much as 12 hours before applying the second coat and applying primer if you are painting bare brickwork. While this can seem like a long-winded process, the results you achieve, in terms of both durability and appearance, are very much worth the effort.
SHEDS & FENCES
In gardens across the nation, sheds and fences are just crying out for a fresh lick of paint. Whether it is a worn down, moss covered fence or a shed that sticks out from the rest of the garden, painting exterior wood is an easy and effective way to completely upgrade your outdoor space.
A fantastic way to transform your exterior wood is to use an opaque wood treatment such as Sadolin Superdec. This can be mixed in almost any colour and can be applied to any exterior wood, meaning you can get creative and add some personality to your garden. As a product, it’s highly regarded by professionals, offering a complete colour transformation in just two coats, and plenty of durability to go with it.
There are a number of options for picking a colour to paint your exterior wood. You could opt for a gentle pastel shade for a more natural look, or potentially go for a strong, bold colour that will add a vibrancy to the space.
Or, why not try and tie in some of the colours from any plants you may have growing, creating a sense of harmony in your garden space, with pale green often being a go-to choice for homeowners. The options are endless and due to the more manageable size of exterior woodwork, it is a perfect thing to tackle first this summer.
DOORWAYS
If you are looking to modernise the aesthetic appeal of your home, one of the best ways to do this is by transforming the look of that ubiquitous UPVC used in the majority of doorways here in the UK, updating the boring white shade that is so often used to an ultramodern anthracite grey or black. Because first impressions count, and the door is a visitor’s first major engagement with your home.
With a primer and a multi-coat paint like Zinsser Allcoat, you can completely change the look of your entrance for a fraction of the cost of buying a whole new door. Yep, if you’re looking to make an instant impact, then transforming your entrance would be a great addition to any summer DIY list.
INTERIOR PAINTING
While interior decorating can be done all year round, summer represents the ideal time, because of the warmer temperatures and quicker drying time, as well as the abundance of natural light, which helps you see the genuine shade of your new paint more clearly. No matter what paint you go for, there are a few things to remember:
- Always go for a trade paint – most major manufacturers have both a trade and retail version of each of their emulsions. Trade paint is much higher quality, offers better coverage and lasts longer compared to retail paint, and although it costs slightly more, it offers much better value for money. You can buy trade paint from online paint shops such as Painters World who offer free next working day delivery when you spend £50.
- Use the best quality brushes, rollers & tools you can afford, as this will ensure the best possible finish no matter what you are painting.
- Always put time into the preparation as any professional decorator will tell you that this is the most important aspect of painting.
- Always apply paint & primers according to the manufacturer’s instructions as cutting corners will end in disaster.
GO SEVERAL SHADES DARKER
Now, let’s consider shade. Dark interiors are all the rage at the minute, and for good reason. They create a fantastic calm atmosphere, are ultramodern and create a perfect canvas to express yourself with décor.
Blacks, dark greys, blues and greens all work brilliantly, especially in matt paint emulsions that have little reflection, though do be aware that these colours might be more suited to autumn and winter. Still, there’s no harm in getting ahead, hey?
Read: How to use a bold colour scheme in your living room
SAY BYE TO A WHITE CEILING
The vast majority of us have white ceilings as they give a room a more spacious feel. In fact, it sometimes feels like having a white ceiling is pretty much obligatory in the modern British home…until now, that is! Why not flip things on their head, and use colour for coving and ceilings whilst having a neutral tone on the wall?
This is mostly advised for larger rooms that don’t require white ceilings in order to create the illusion of space and for rooms already blessed with a large amount of natural light. With a dark shade, you can create a cosier and more intimate space, while a bold colour can completely change the energy in a room. Certainly some things to think about during the summer months ahead, don’t you think?
CONSIDER COLOUR BLOCKS
Sometimes we want to add a bit of colour, but simultaneously, are keen not to overwhelm a room. One of the best ways to counteract this is to use colour blocks, which are bursts of colour on a contrasting background. They are incredibly easy to pull off yourself, with just a small tin of paint and a high-quality masking tape required in order to get those razor-sharp lines.
They are particularly effective when neutral tones are used, as these can be layered with each other and integrated throughout the décor, creating a perfectly balanced room.
THE BOTTOM LINE
We hope this has given you some inspiration to get your hands dirty this summer & completely transform both your indoor and outdoor spaces. Good luck everyone!