How To Choose The Proper Paint Color(s) For A Room

Whether you're moving into a new home and want to make it "yours", or just want to change the feel of your current place, a painting project is an easy way forward. Painting is relatively inexpensive yet it can transform a home's look-and-feel.

But how do you make sure you're choosing the best colors and the proper type of paint?

This 8-minute video from Lowe's tells it all. In it, you'll learn how professional designers identify a potential paint palette for a room, then how they choose between shade, finish and type.

Among the tips and advice in the video :

• How to use 2x2 "test blocks" to ensure a color works in both natural and artificial light
• How to choose the right colors for a small room, and for a large room
• Why painting the ceiling can change a room's perceived size
• How to build complementary, split-complementary and analogous color schemes for a room
• How to choose between latex and oil-based paint products

In addition, the video shares notes on how light bulb types can affect the "warmness" of a particular paint color, and how to consider existing room elements such as furniture in your final color choices.

Paint projects require little advance planning and, if done properly, they can change the feel of a room, and a home. Most projects can be completed within a weekend.

Removing Stains On Walls : Crayon, Mildew And More

Painting rooms in a home can be a do-it-yourself project. Armed with paint, tape, tarp and some brushes, there's nothing you can't re-color.

While some rooms call for a complete sand-down, there are some that don't, and for those, Rule #1 is that your walls must be stain-free before adding the next coat of paint.

Stains can come in all varieties and the most basic stains can be treated with a damp rag or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. For everything else, you'll need a more cleaning power.

For example, of all the stain-types, "grime" is the most common. To remove ground-in dirt and oil, start with 1 gallon of warm water in a bucket, then add 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar, and 1/4 cup of baking soda.

Rub gently and follow up with a clean water rinse.

For other common stains, try these remedies:

• Permanent Marker : Blot the stain with a rubbing alcohol-soaked cotton ball. Allow to air dry.
• Mildew : Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 4 cups of water. Spray and allow to air dry.
• Crayon : Dust a damp sponge with baking soda and scrub. Baby wipes work, too.

If your wall stains are "water stains"; the result of a leak or something similar, make sure the water source is corrected prior to painting. Then, to remove spots, mix 1 part bleach to 4 parts water, thoroughly rinse the stain, and use a hair dryer to dry the solution on the wall.

Once cleaned, your walls are ready to paint.