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Thinking of repainting a room soon?

In 2021, almost half of us repainted at least one room in our homes, in a turn towards quicker and more affordable design updates. But the rise in DIY home improvements came with the inevitable stumbling blocks.

Do you know how many layers of paint primer to use on a porous surface? Or why your paint changes consistency when stored in your garage? Are you confident in the type of paint to use in a kitchen vs. a bathroom? These are questions we likely don't consider before we take up our brushes.

Below, the experts at The Paint Shed answer some important decorating questions, share the most common painting mistakes, and recommend some easy steps to avoid them...

To celebrate the launch of the Country Living paint collection, we are offering one lucky reader the chance to transform their home with £250 to spend across our range at Homebase.ENTER

Paint can be sensitive to extreme temperatures. Most paint should be stored indoors in a dry location between 5°C and 35°C. Your metal tins should be kept from moisture to prevent rust, which means that outdoor storage options may not be ideal.

If you do choose to store your paint a shed or garage, cover the top of the open paint can before you secure the lid. This will stop any dirt or debris falling into the paint when the time comes to use it again.

You want to avoid exposing paint to fluctuations in temperature between seasons too – extreme heat or cold could cause evaporation of critical chemicals in the paint, which can alter its consistency and colour.

Although oil-based paints can freeze, they do so at a much lower temperature than a water-based paint for example, meaning they are more likely to withstand a British winter.

Decorating is not an inexpensive task, so it is only natural that homeowners would want to cut costs somewhere, however this shouldn’t be on the tools used for the job. Low quality paint brushes may be cheaper in the short term, but will cause more issues in the long run.

Some of the issues you are likely to experience with cheap brushes include:

Opt for high-quality brushes that you can wash and use again. An acrylic bristle brush is better for projects involving water-based paint as they absorb less water, and natural bristle brushes are great for solvent-based paints.

Edging tape might save your woodwork, but a common complaint is that when pulling off the tape, some of the paint follows. This is usually the case because people wait for the paint to dry before removing their tape, but it should in fact be removed before then.

If you choose to forgo edging tape altogether, The Paint Shed has some tips for 'cutting in,' which is the practice of manually applying your paint in straight lines along ceilings, door frames, skirting boards, and light switches.

Use a light touch: Applying too much pressure on your strokes can lead to easy mistakes and paint dripping from your brush.

Use the right type of brush: It is well worth investing in a high-quality angled sash brush. Not only will it make your job easier, it will provide crisp, professional-looking lines that may mean you don’t need to mask at all.

Wiggle the brush: When it comes to tight corners, wiggling your brush can be a good technique for filling in the areas you may have missed.

Work in bright light: To paint an accurate cut in line, you will need as much light as possible. Be aware of your own shadow and use a headlamp if you need one.

Work quickly: Working confidently with a steady hand is the best way to achieve a successful cut in. Glide the brush along the wall using your entire arm in one quick stroke.

It is tempting when painting to keep brushing over the same parts to ensure an even coat, however this is something you should avoid doing. Over brushing can lead to unsightly brush strokes as the bristles cling to partially dry paint. There is also more of a risk of losing bristles this way, which can become stuck in the paint.

Instead, load the paint brush and quickly brush the paint across the surface in a smooth motion, using a stroke or two to level it off.

A common mistake when decorating is not preparing surfaces correctly – this means getting rid of cobwebs and giving the walls a thorough clean with soapy water. For surfaces exposed to grease, swap out soap for washing up liquid or another degreaser in order to cut through the grime. Sugar soap spray can also be used to prepare walls in most situations too.

Follow this up by washing again with clean water to remove any residue, then finish by wiping with a damp cloth.

If you have issues with mildew or mould, it is vital that it is treated prior to painting. Painting over mildew will just cause it to grow through new paint, which will just start a cycle of cleaning and maintenance.

The recommended way of dealing with mildew and mould is to use a sterilisation or fungicidal wash. You can also clean an infected area with a sponge and a solution that is three or four parts water to one part bleach. Apply the solution, allow it to soak in for a few minutes, scrub the effected surface with a soft brush, and rinse the area with clean water. Make sure you wear gloves and allow time to dry.

Some people will argue that a primer isn’t needed before a paint project, however if you are looking for a professional finish, it is a vital step.

Paint primers act as a base coat, creating the foundation for a flawless paint job. You should always use a primer if you need to cover imperfections, conceal stains, or neutralise the colour of a surface before painting. It creates a foundation for brilliant colour and a smooth and seamless paint application.

In most cases, one coat of primer before two coats of paint will achieve a professional finish. For porous surfaces such as wood, or to cover dark colours, a second coat of primer may be required.

If you are questioning the condition of your wall or surface before painting (i.e. if it is chalky, stained, powdery or peeling,) then a primer is required. This also applies to surfaces that have been repaired or patched in the past or if you’re moving from a dark to light colour or from a higher sheen to a lower sheen. In these scenarios, a primer will support a seamless transition.

The ‘wrong’ type of paint can either be the wrong finish or not knowing the best paint for each surface.

Porous surfaces, such as fresh plaster and bare wood, would absorb too much of a water-based paint. For fresh plaster a contract matt or silk is advised, and for bare wood, a wood primer, undercoat and top coat is recommended prior to painting. For exterior wood surfaces, a microporous undercoat and top coat are recommended.

Similarly, you need to know your finishes in order to select the right paint. Below is a quick guide to which paints and finishes are recommended for each room:

The Country Living paint collection launches on March 30th at Homebase; a mix of 30 nature-inspired shades that reflect the beauty of the countryside, and ready to mix and match to create a unique country look in your home.

To celebrate the launch, we are offering one lucky reader the chance to transform their home with £250 to spend across our paint range.