How to choose the right paint for your walls?

Any modern renovation involves the use of paints and varnishes. In some cases, most surfaces are finished with it: floor, walls, ceiling. In other cases, just a few decorative elements.

Paint can change any apartment beyond recognition. As a decorative wall covering, it can be of various types in terms of color, texture, degree of gloss. You can always choose the material that meets your individual needs. In addition to its aesthetic properties, paint can be used as a means to protect surfaces from certain environmental factors: moisture, sunlight, mold, mildew, wear, corrosion.

Paint is a universal coating. It can be used to decorate both the interior of the house and the exterior. Any surface can be painted: wood, paper, metal, glass, concrete. When making a choice in favor of a particular product, one should carefully study the features of using a particular paint indicated on the packaging, the ability to paint various surfaces with it, and additional properties.

Among all the variety of options for decorating a room, paint stands out for its positive aspects. The following factors speak in her favor:

• Durability of the coating. Compared to other types of finishes, the paint can remain unchanged on the walls for a rather long time - about 10 years.

• Resistant to wet cleaning, including the use of chemicals. However, a special mention of this should be on the packaging.
• Price. Wall painting is cheaper than many other coatings.

• Variety of possible options. Paints are presented in a wide palette of various colors. In addition, they can be mixed, combined in one room several types at once, highlight individual elements with contrasting colors.
• Easy to apply. It is not necessary to invite a specialist for coloring. There is nothing complicated in this process, you can repair the room on your own.

• Ease of room renovation. If the painted walls or its elements soon get bored, they can be easily repainted in other colors without resorting to global changes.
• Easy to care for. Almost all paints can withstand wet cleaning.

The disadvantages of the painted surface include the following points:

• A perfectly flat surface is required. Any irregularities will be visible through the paint layer. The exception is embossed wall decoration.
• Wall processing takes much longer than, for example, wallpapering. The surface should be perfectly flat, without cracks and seams, additional filling, priming and sanding are required.

The modern market offers a wide selection of varied paints. They differ in many ways.Sometimes it is quite difficult to make a choice so that the purchased product is ideally suited for all characteristics. All paints can be classified as follows:

• Interior and facade. They differ in the possibility of painting surfaces outside or inside the house. Only interior paints are used for apartment renovation.
• Moisture-resistant and non-moisture resistant. They differ in the peculiarities of contact with water, they are used depending on the humidity of the room. For bathrooms and kitchens, only moisture resistant paint is used.

• Vapor permeable or vapor-tight. The vapor-permeable paint is made of a "breathable" material and is suitable for rooms where large numbers of people often congregate.
• Paints differ in different degrees of wear resistance. This criterion especially applies to painted surfaces that are planned to be periodically wet cleaned. In this case, the paint must be waterproof.

• Paints differ according to the hiding power criterion. This criterion shows the consumption of paint per 1 m2 and affects the number of cans that will be required for repairs.
• The paint may or may not be thixotropic. Its presence means the variability of the paint structure under the influence of various environmental factors. For example, thixotropic paints, after opening the can and contact with air, do not flow, do not drip from the brush when painting, and do not leave streaks on the wall. In addition, no sediment builds up in the jar.

• Glossy or matte paint. It differs only in external characteristics and is chosen depending on the taste of the buyer.

• Embossed or plain. In addition to aesthetic preferences, embossed paint is capable of hiding irregularities on the wall, while for a regular surface it should be perfectly flat.
• Hypoallergenic and regular. Hypoallergenic paints do not contain organic solvents or chemical ammonia compounds. When applied to walls, they are virtually odorless, dry quickly and are ideal in living areas for children or people prone to allergies.

Paints differ in their composition:

This paint dries quickly and is odorless. All water-based paints are divided into subtypes depending on the binder - polymer: polyvinyl acetate, acrylic, latex, silicone.

• Polyvinyl acetate - the most budgetary option, suitable for painting surfaces only in dry rooms.
• Acrylic paint after drying, it leaves a hard film and is suitable for covering any surfaces: wood, plastic, metal, brick. It is resistant to damage, moisture resistant, dries quickly, does not emit a strong odor, is resistant to sunlight and has a long lasting color. Such a coating has a high degree of elasticity, it is able to stretch and shrink without cracking.

The acrylic-based material also has disadvantages. It is quite thick, so brush marks may remain on the surface during the painting process. Therefore, it is better if the paint contains substances that prevent this. Acrylic paint cannot be applied to other coatings, and the wall must be perfectly flat and sanded. In addition, the acrylic product has a rather high cost due to its durability and resistance.

• Latex paint after drying, it leaves a film on the wall that covers any relief. All such paints are glossy to one degree or another, they have a high level of wear resistance. Latex painted surfaces are easy to maintain. Periodic washing with a damp cloth and soapy water is suitable for it. Acrylic prevents the formation of mold and mildew, retains its color for a long time.

• Silicone paints more often used for external work or in rooms with high humidity: in the kitchen, in the bathroom. After drying, the surface is not wetted with water, it repels it. This paint has a high level of vapor permeability. In addition, it can hide some irregularities on the wall, correct small cracks and chips. However, it is one of the most expensive paint products on the market.

All water-based paints are vapor permeable and easy to clean.

Such paint is durable, practical, can be used for both external and internal work. However, oil paint has a number of disadvantages: it is vapor-proof, long-drying, and has an unpleasant odor. For modern repairs, such paint is practically not used.

It is a quick-drying paint that forms a strong film on the surface. It is rarely used to renovate living quarters as it gives off a very unpleasant odor. It is excellent for coating metal surfaces, performing an anti-corrosion function.

A separate group is modern paints that form an unusual coating on the surface: heat-insulating, graphite, marker, with magnetic properties, imitating stone or metal, fluorescent.

• Warm paint can fully replace any insulation. It forms a 2-4 mm thick coating on the surface and saves money on traditional insulation. In addition, with the help of paint, you can cover hard-to-reach places, as well as uneven surfaces, which makes the process of wall insulation easy.

• Graphite paint creates an unusual coating on the walls that imitates a slate board. One of its significant advantages is its anti-corrosion effect. In addition, it is durable, resistant to mechanical stress, and safe for health. Designers often use it to decorate children's and bathrooms.

• Marker paint forms a hard surface on the walls that resembles a whiteboard. On such a surface, you can draw with markers, and then easily wash off drawings and inscriptions. This paint can be used to decorate not only walls, but also some elements of furniture and other parts of the interior.

• Magnetic paint - an excellent modern solution for walls. Magnets are easily attached to such a coating. You don't need glue or nails to hang pictures or photographs with such paint on the wall. This material is great for children's rooms, offices and classrooms, schools and kindergartens.

• Paint that imitates other materials, allows you to save on buying real stone, brick or metal. At first glance, the difference is almost imperceptible, and time costs will be significantly reduced.

• Fluorescent paint allows you to create a coating that glows in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet rays. With it, you can paint the entire wall, although most often it is used to highlight only some elements, as well as to create whole pictures. It can be visible in light or only appear in darkness. Such a solution is suitable for entertainment establishments or for apartments in which the owners love original solutions and experiments.

It is better to decorate interiors with water-dispersion paint - the most harmless in its composition. But choosing its color correctly is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. An important role is played not only by individual color perception and preferences, but also by a number of other factors: the combination of colors in the interior as a whole, the size of the room, and its purpose.

When choosing a color scheme, you can be guided by some rules:

• Assess the room and its compatibility with the selected shade.It is important to keep in mind the level and characteristics of the room lighting, as it can affect the color of objects.
• For a harmonious perception of the interior by a person, no more than three colors can be used. Otherwise, objects will ripple in your eyes, creating a feeling of congestion. Different shades of the same color range are not considered separate colors. In addition, black and white are considered neutral and are an exception to this rule. They can be combined with any color and used in any interior.

• From the whole variety of colors, you need to choose one dominant.
• Bright colors are not suitable for large surfaces.

• To make the surface original, it is not necessary to use different colors. You can diversify a plain interior by combining a variety of textures and patterns. This can be achieved, for example, by using different paint rollers.
• If the apartment has adjoining rooms, they can be visually combined using the same colors for decoration.

• For the ceiling, it is better to choose the color of the same scale with the walls, but somewhat lighter. The chosen colors must match and harmonize with each other.
• It is worth choosing the color of the room, taking into account the entire interior as a whole, including furniture, textiles and decor.
• In a store, it is rather difficult to make a choice, since artificial lighting in the showcase sometimes distorts the colors, which later in the home environment can differ by several tones.

• When choosing a color, it should be borne in mind that different surfaces affect it differently: smooth makes the tone lighter, rough - darker, matte - makes even cold shades warmer, glossy - refreshes all tones, including cold ones.
• To give the room originality, you can apply contrasting coloring of adjacent walls in bright colors.
• According to the design rules, the walls are only the background of the entire interior. You can use an original technique - on the contrary, highlight the walls with bright colors or drawings, and make furniture and decor in the room an addition to them.

Each color has a different effect on a person, on his perception of the surrounding space:

• White. Makes the room visually larger and more spacious. However, one must observe the measure in the use of white. Its excess can make the room uncomfortable, boring, create the feeling of being in a non-residential area - an office or a hospital.

• Red. Can cause aggression, anxiety, or passion and excitement. This color is great for the bedroom. However, busting it in the room can lead to quick fatigue, the best option is to highlight only some of the elements for them.

• Green, blue. These are colors close to natural, natural - sky, water and leaves. Such a room helps to relax, has a positive effect on the human psyche.

• Yellow. This color can remind of sunlight, give a sense of security and confidence. You can decorate the living room or dining room in yellow.

• Brown and gray. These colors can help you focus on important things, on your thoughts. A room decorated in brown always looks expensive and elegant.

• Orange. Promotes a charge of positive energy. But its excess can have the opposite effect - it can make you sleepy and lethargic.

• Purple. Helps to tune in to mental work, soothes the nervous system. It is better to choose it for children's rooms.

• Black. May provoke depressive states. But in moderation, black helps to give the room a solemn and solid look.

In order to create a comfortable, cozy, psychologically neutral environment, it is better to use warm, pastel shades - beige, sand, light coffee, gold, lilac.To get the opposite effect, for a room in which you can recharge with vivacity and positive, you need to choose bright colors: red, green, blue, orange. Cool shades of blue, emerald, white will help to add freshness to the room.

Using the right color, you can visually correct room imperfections:

• For a small area, it is better to choose light shades, combining them with bright lighting. This technique visually expands the room.
• To visually increase the height of the ceiling, you need to paint it white. To enhance the effect, you can add a white skirting board.

• If the ceiling seems too high, staining it in a dark color and the walls in a light color will help to visually make it lower.
• Cold colors contribute to the visual expansion of the space.

• For small rooms, techniques that combine contrasting colors are not suitable.
• In a small space, do not draw attention to the walls by making paintings or other bright elements on them.

• For a large room, use dark shades in combination with blue.

The purpose of the room has not the last impact on the choice of color for it:

• Hall or living room. Depending on what the people in this room do most often, you can choose the color scheme. Deep hues help to relax and tune in to watching a movie, bright accents contribute to a fun pastime, warm red and orange palette encourages communication. For this room, where a large number of people often gather, original solutions and surface painting with unusual paints are suitable: with sparkles, multicolor. Among the modern design options, the ceiling is painted in interesting colors. The paint can be glossy, pearlescent, fluorescent.

• For registration dining room dim, muted colors are suitable, which will contribute to a calm meal and not distract attention.

• For bedroom good pastel colors, which will tune in to rest, help to restore strength.

• For bathroom the best option is a blue and green palette, but keep in mind that green tones can distort other colors. This should be taken into account by women who do make-up in this room.

• Kitchen can be decorated with any color you like. It should be borne in mind that too light shades are easily soiled, and in this room the surfaces get dirty often. For those who monitor their weight, blue is suitable, it dulls the feeling of hunger.

When choosing paint and varnish products in a store, it is important to initially imagine the desired effect, the future room and how the new paint will look in the interior. There are several design techniques that can be used to transform the most ordinary space:

• Dividing a room horizontally. This option is suitable for a classic room style. Usually the lower part of the walls is painted with darker paint, and the upper part with lighter paint. This technique is only suitable for rooms with high ceilings, as it visually lowers them, making the walls shorter.

• Highlighting individual elements of the interior. One of the latest trends in design is painting one of the walls of the room in a darker shade or in a contrasting color. Abrupt transitions and experiments are well suited for living rooms or children's rooms; it is better to choose more relaxed solutions for the bedroom. In addition to walls, niches, ledges, shelves can be distinguished in this way. Original decor - highlighting the contour and corners of the walls with contrasting paint.

• A strip around the perimeter of the room. A wide horizontal strip allows you to highlight certain elements on the wall and is most suitable for corridors - narrow rooms where you can visually lower the ceiling, making the wall wider. This technique is performed at eye level and draws attention, for example, to hanging paintings. In the nursery, in this way, you can highlight the child's work, certificates and medals.

• Painting striped walls. You should not decorate all the walls in this way, it is enough to select only one of them or its separate part. The main condition is that the colors of the stripes should be combined with each other, as well as in harmony with the rest of the interior. The stripes do not have to be different colors. You can choose a combination of stripes of the same color with a glossy and matte effect.

• Painting a wall or part of it with an original drawing. With the help of paint, you can create any images, making the interior unique. For this purpose, it is better to invite a specialist who draws well. Wall painting is perfect for children's rooms or living rooms, where a lot of people often gather.

• The use of Venetian paint (plaster). This technique creates the effect of a marble covering on the wall. To make it look really beautiful, you need a special skill to apply it. Most often, a special master is invited for this purpose. In addition, the material itself is not cheap, so such staining is considered elite, emphasizing the status of the owners of the house. You can use this plaster for both indoor and outdoor work.

• Using textured paint. With the help of this technique, the embossed surface of the walls of a wide variety of types is created. By adding various fillers to the paint, you can create imitations of various surfaces: stone, wood, textiles. In addition, there are textured paints with glitter and gloss. One of the original varieties is atacama, a reflective paint that, after being applied to the surface, creates the optical effect of velvet on the wall.

• Use of mosaic paint. It is a mixture of a base interspersed with particles of various colors, sizes and shapes. Depending on them, a certain visual effect of the coating is created: silk, textiles, marble chips, cork tree, starry sky, raindrops, abstract blots or regular geometric shapes. This paint has many advantages: environmental safety, original design, durability, strength, anti-mold and antifungal effect, moisture resistance.

When choosing a paint, the most important criterion is its manufacturer. Well-known and proven brands value their reputation and try to produce really high-quality products, producing both elite and budget options.

Buyers consider firms from Europe to be the best manufacturers. The leading positions in consumer reviews are taken by Italian brands. This paint is considered the highest quality, color-saturated, durable. The following companies from Italy are popular on the domestic market:

• Oikos. Differs in very high quality products, having existed on the market for about 20 years.
• San marco - has been producing the entire line of top quality finishing materials for over 50 years.

In addition to Italian products, there are many European brands that produce quality products. These include German paint Dufa, Wandfarbe, Superweiss, English Johnstone's, Dulux, Finnish Tikkurila and Polish Sniezka.

Russia is quite popular as a country-manufacturer of paints and varnishes on the market. The best brands are Admiral, Eurolux, Nevskie Kraski, Yaroslavl Kraski.

Based on the feedback from satisfied customers, we can distinguish TOP-10 of the best manufacturers:

• Marshall and Export-7 - Turkey. The products of these brands are of high quality, wear resistance, and withstand cleaning with the use of chemicals. In addition, the paint is economical.

• Finncolor - Finland. The manufacturer produces high-quality paint for external and internal work, as well as a special series with antifungal and anti-mold effect for wet rooms.
• Emplis - Russia. The firm occupies a leading position among domestic brands. The paint of this brand is of high quality, suitable for painting any surfaces, wear-resistant.

• Alpina - Germany. The company produces stain-repelling paints with anti-mold and antifungal effects, which are ideal for kitchens.
• Dufa - Germany. Produces paints with high durability and strength.

• Tikkurila Harmony - Finland. This brand is one of the most frequently bought among paints and varnishes. Paints of this company have an increased degree of resistance to damage, and also make it easy to create various decorative effects on surfaces.
• Beckers - Sweden. The company produces paints and varnishes for all surfaces that meet all quality and environmental standards.

• Dulux - England. The company manufactures paint for any premises, which is characterized by a long service life, moisture resistance and a wide selection of various options.
• Sherwin-Williams are high quality American products. Its peculiarity lies in the unique packaging, which, due to its tightness, preserves the paint in an unsurpassed form.
• Parkerpaint - America. The products are distinguished by a wide selection of paint shades, high quality and a reliable, durable coating for all surfaces.

To choose a good paint, you can be guided by several criteria:

• Harmlessness. For all living quarters. It is necessary to pay special attention to the composition of the material and its effects on humans.
• Manufacturer. Well-known brands, as a rule, offer really high quality products.
• Ease of application.
• Drying speed.

• Resistance to environmental influences, wear resistance. It is important to evaluate not only the possible mechanical effects on the painted surface, but also the amount of sunlight (the paint can fade, instead of the initial shade acquire a different one), the humidity of the room.
• Material consumption. It is difficult to correctly calculate the amount of paint right away, especially if the painting is done by hand. It is better to take the material with a margin, otherwise there is a risk of not picking up exactly the same shade later.

• Features of the care of the painted surface. It is necessary to pay attention to whether the paint tolerates wet cleaning, contact with chemical cleaning agents.
• Possibility of applying paint on a specific surface. Different paints apply in different ways on wooden, metal, paper surfaces, and also differ in the features of their application to the floor, walls and ceiling.

• Price. Most often, the price of a paint and varnish material is an indicator of its quality. Cheap options do not last long and have a number of other disadvantages.
• Features of the room to be painted.

Painting walls is a difficult and time-consuming process. It has its own characteristics depending on the type of repair and the purpose of the premises. Repair can be major or cosmetic.

During a major overhaul, a significant part of the time is taken by the process of preparing the walls for painting.They must have a perfectly smooth surface, without irregularities and roughness, otherwise any flaw will be visible through the paint layer. This is especially true for water-based paints.

In order for the paint to lay down in an even layer, and the result is high-quality, the process of painting the walls should be done in several stages:

• Pre-alignment. For this, the wall is usually plastered with a plaster mixture. For large volumes of work, a mixture of cement and sand is sometimes used. For the high-quality performance of this stage, mesh reinforcement is applied to the wall. This prevents cracking and extends the service life of new repairs.
• Padding. A layer of primer is applied after each stage of the wall treatment, as it ensures the adhesion of the materials to each other.

• Putting. This stage should be started when the previous layer becomes completely dry. Depending on how well it was made, the layer of putty depends.
• Grinding. After the previous layer has dried, the surface is sanded, then a layer of non-woven or fiberglass is applied to it. This is followed by another filling and sanding. Only then can you start staining.

In the process of redecorating, the stages are reduced. It is no longer necessary to carry out such a thorough surface preparation.

To paint the walls in a room you need:

• Prepare the room: remove all furniture that cannot be taken out of the room, cover it with polyethylene, remove wall decor, switches and sockets.
• The wall is brushed with a stiff bristle brush and then wet cleaned.

• The surface is coated with an antifungal and anti-mold solution.
• Putting. At this stage, minor flaws in the wall are eliminated - cracks, irregularities.

• Paint application. It is worth doing this very carefully, immediately eliminating any shortcomings: drips, going beyond the required boundaries, since after the material has dried, it will be very difficult to do this. The tools must be of high quality. If you use, for example, a cheap roller or brush, they may leave lint or hairs on the surface.

The paint is usually applied in several layers. After the previous layer has dried, a new layer is applied in the opposite direction. The product can usually indicate the features of the use of each paint specifically.

For painting the walls in the bedroom, it is better to choose a water-based or acrylic-based paint. There is no high humidity in this room, so the new wall covering will last a long time and will not start to wash off.

Acrylic paint has a long service life and is inexpensive. To apply it on the wall, no special skills are required; it is rather unpretentious in work. Water-based paint is also inexpensive, but it is fast drying and has little odor. However, if the wall in the room can be mechanically damaged, it is better to give preference to the first option. Aqueous solutions are less practical and less resistant to scratches and chips.

Particular attention should be paid to the selection of colors. It is better not to use bright colors in the bedroom; the interior should set you up for rest and sound sleep. You can combine several colors of muted shades, decorate the walls with geometric patterns. By combining the use of different types of brushes and rollers, abstract, original patterns can be created on surfaces. When using several paints on one wall, you need to make sure that they are compatible with each other in composition.

Choosing a bathroom paint as a wall decoration is a cost-effective solution. Painting will cost several times less than buying tiles or tiles.

When choosing paint for a bathroom, you should carefully study the label.It must necessarily indicate that the material is resistant to high levels of humidity and temperature changes. It is best to choose a mixture based on latex or silicone. This will cover the wall with a thick, airtight layer of reliable cover. In addition, such paints are easily damp-cleaned, including the use of chemicals.

The color scheme can be any according to individual preferences. You can experiment, choose bright colors. Warm colors are best suited for this room.

After the interior decoration work is over, it is necessary to follow some recommendations for the care of painted surfaces in order for a new repair to last as long as possible:

• After applying the material to the surface, it must be allowed to dry for 2-3 days. However, its complete drying occurs only after 2 weeks. During this time, the walls should be treated with increased care, do not subject them to wet cleaning.
• Painted walls should be periodically wiped with a slightly damp cloth. Don't use powder or baking soda. This will lead to streaking and the coating may deteriorate.
• The painted ceiling can only withstand dry cleaning. To do this, you can use a vacuum cleaner or brush.

• After the appearance of dirt on the wall, it must be removed immediately, until it is absorbed deeply into the paint layer. To do this, you can use a regular damp cloth. Otherwise, the stain may not rub off and the surface will need to be repainted.
• Stubborn stains can be wiped off with dish soap. But its excess can lead to deterioration of the surface. After the stain has disappeared, wipe the wall with a damp cloth.

• If the paint is of high quality, it will lie on the surface in an even, smooth layer, and dirt will not "stick" to it. In this case, the number of wet cleaning should be reduced. Poor quality paint forms a porous surface that is easier to get dirty, keeping dust in the pores. It will require more frequent washing and, accordingly, may last a little less than more expensive ones.
• If water-based paint has been used, the rag should be almost dry and water should be used to a minimum.

• If the paint is oil-based, a special solution must be used to wash such a surface. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of ammonia per liter of water. After processing the walls with this liquid, it must be wiped dry. All movements should be vertical only. It is not worth carrying out preventive wet cleaning more than twice a year.

The modern design offers a wide range of different paint applications in the interior.

Decorating with bright, contrasting shades of one of the walls. An abstract drawing that combines several colors at once will look original.

To make the bright wall look organic in the interior, it can be supplemented with a ceiling plinth and some furniture elements in the same color scheme.

An excellent solution is to highlight one of the walls not only with a contrasting color, but also with a relief surface.

Painting neighboring walls in contrasting colors is the choice of people who are not afraid to experiment.

A soft gradient, smoothly turning into a white ceiling, will visually raise it, create a feeling of lightness and airiness.

Horizontal stripes make the space wider. This technique is only suitable for rooms with high ceilings.

Vertical stripes visually make the ceiling taller, but can narrow the space.

For information on how to choose the right color for wall paint, see the next video.