There seems to be no shortage of ideas for DIY painting projects. Whether it’s on the internet or at a friend’s house, it seems like everyone is transforming a dated thrift store table into a trendy accent piece or reinventing their home with an accent wall or a new kitchen cabinet color. I know I often look at our old end tables and imagine transforming them. For a newbie like me, a painting project like this can be a little intimidating, but in reality it doesn’t have to be complicated. Whatever your project, here are some tips on how to make it a success.

1. Choose your paint color carefully.

Take time choosing your paint color. After all, the whole point of painting a room or a piece of furniture is to make it a color you enjoy looking at. Getting samples from paint stores can help you with this. While paint swatches can help narrow down your color selection, you can often get small amounts of paint to actually try out. Test your paint in multiple places in a room and look at it during different times of the day. A color can look totally different in sunlight versus artificial light, or even just on two different walls. Getting a good idea of how your final product will look in different areas can help cut down on the chance of an unpleasant surprise at the end of all your hard work.

2. Don’t skimp on supplies.

The point of DIY painting is to save money, but you still want your paint job to look good and last a long time. I love a good deal and would probably be drawn to the cheapest paintbrush on the shelf, but in the long run buying quality supplies can save you a lot of time, energy and even money. You don’t have to break the bank and buy the premium version of everything, but go to your local paint or hardware store and ask an expert what would be best for your project. From your paint to your tape, investing in quality materials will be worth it.

3. Take your time prepping.

I can be very impatient when it comes to tasks like painting. I’m just so excited for the final result! Plus, who wants to have a half-finished project taking over their lives? Painting is messy, though, and not taking the time to prepare can cost you more time and stress down the road. Remove hardware from furniture and light switch plates from walls, cover up your floors and furniture with drop cloths, protect trim with painter’s tape, and properly wash, sand and prime whatever it is you’re painting. The extra time will be worth it.

Do you have a paint project you want to tackle but aren’t sure where to start? Join us for our DIY Painting class. You’ll learn tips and tricks to paint like the pros. To register click here or call 405.377.3333. To find out about more courses like this sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. View all of our upcoming courses in our digital catalog.

Abby McCain is a Communications and Marketing Specialist at Meridian Technology Center.