Interior and Exterior Painting Tips for Nashville Homes

Painting your house can seem intimidating to start and complete, but it doesn’t have to! You can easily give your home a fresh look with the proper preparation, tools, and skills. A new coat of paint can be a cost-effective way to freshen up your living space. You must be equipped with all the knowledge and tools you need to start a painting task and achieve successful painting results confidently. Here are some of the tips to take note of before you start your interior and exterior painting for your home in Nashville, TN:

1. Choosing the right colors to match your home’s style.

When choosing colors, it is essential to remember to choose wisely because you need to live with these chosen paint colors for years to come, and they are hugely on display. Picking the right color for every room in your home can be tricky. Consider this your cheat sheet of the basic paint colors you need to decide on:

a. Field Color

Field color is the main body of your house and the dominant color in your paint palette. This can be seen as your central interior or exterior paint.

b. Trim Color

Trim color refers to the colors of your home's exterior edges and lines, which frame the field colors. This usually refers to the paint colors of your moldings, sidings, fascia, and decorative edges.

Fig. 1. Trim colors around the main door were enhanced by Modern Handymen

c. Accent Paint Color

Accent paint colors involve complementary surfaces such as doors, windows, canopies, shutters, and other accessories in your home.

Classifying your home according to its age and style is essential to choosing the colors that will bring out the design’s purpose and beauty. However, paint isn’t one-size-fits-all, and what looks good on one home may not look good on another. It is best to consult a professional for expert advice on what paint to use before purchasing your paints.

2. Preparing surfaces for a lasting finish.

Generally, painting includes cleaning, scraping, sanding, patching, and priming. The proper surface preparation is the key to better adhesion and achieving a flawless, long-lasting finish. It lays the groundwork for every successful painting project, preventing issues like peeling, stains, and uneven application. Here are the general steps for surface preparation:

a. Clean the Surface

Use a mild detergent solution and water to remove dust, grease, and other contaminants on the surface.

Fig. 2. Cleaning can also be done through power spray for detailed surfaces

b. Repair damages

Patch up any cracks, holes, or imperfections on the surface.

c.  Remove old paint

Scrap or sand the surface to remove old, flaking paint on the area to be painted.

d. Sand the surface

Sand the surface to smoothen it before painting.

e. Protect surrounding surfaces

Use painter's tape to mask off edges, trim, and other areas that need paint-free. Cover floors, furniture, and fixtures with plastic sheets or canvas cloth to protect them from paint splatter.

Fig. 3. Professional painters from Modern Handymen ensure that all areas are covered and protected before painting

3. Interior painting tips: Accent walls, ceilings, and trim.

While solid paint colors are strong options for interior painting, adding a decorative pattern can be a stand-out feature.

a. Accent wall

When choosing accents for your wall, consider the color of your other walls. Most accent walls look striking when they adjoin walls in a light to medium shade. The contrast of a bright accent wall against a white wall can look neat and modern. You can also use wallpapers to accent your interior walls for detailed beauty.

b. Ceiling

Painting your home’s ceiling with the right color can lighten up your space and add warmth. Experts say it is best to paint your ceiling and walls the same hue, as this can create the illusion that the room is larger.

c. Trim

One of the trickiest parts of interior painting is painting the edge of the trim where it meets the wall. This improves the wall by concealing gaps, joints, and imperfections in the wall surface and creating a finished appearance.

4. Exterior painting tips: Weatherproofing and curb appeal.

Exterior painting is a big deal for most homeowners. The exterior of your home can be seen by anybody, whether neighbors, friends, or even strangers. Painting your home exterior beautifully can significantly revamp it. Some of the major benefits of stunning exterior paint are weatherproofing and curb appeal.

a. Weatherproofing

Exterior paints offer weather-proofing benefits by providing a protective layer for your home to prevent direct structure exposure to sunlight, moisture, and water seepage during common weather conditions over time. Most durable exterior paints have protective qualities to resist excessive heat, moisture, mold, and mildew. To safeguard your home from weather-related damage, consider the quality of your exterior paints. These weatherproofing qualities of exterior paints reduce repair frequency and extend your property’s lifespan.

b. Curb Appeal

Choosing the right exterior paint colors and texture can make your exterior stand out in the neighborhood, increasing your home’s overall curb appeal. Consider selecting paint colors that harmonize with the scenery and ambiance offered by your surroundings. A flashy and vibrant exterior paint color may appear as an eye sore and drive away potential buyers. Ensure that your exterior paint color will make your home stand out positively and beautifully.

Fig. 4. Exterior painting by Modern Handymen

5. The difference a professional painter makes.

Homeowners can bring the best out of their walls with colors and intricate designs improved by professional painters. Investing in professional painting services offers you the following benefits:

a. Wealth of Experience

Professional painters spent many years mastering their craft and sharpening their skill sets through several experiences in various kinds of painting jobs. With experienced painters, you can be confident that your home painting is in good hands.

b. Minimal Preparations

Professional painters take care of everything when preparing for their painting projects. They prepare for the proper storage of paints and clean the area at the end of each day. The following working day, professional painters will need minimal preparations.

c. Color Expertise

As painting experts, most professional painters specialize in identifying the perfect colors for your home’s design. They are familiar with the variety of color schemes and how these options can be utilized in every area of your home.

d. Realistic Timeline

Most homeowners set a target timeline in mind for every painting job. Professional painters finish their work in a scheduled timeframe as agreed. In cases where issues may arise during their painting jobs, you can trust that they will lay down the possible consequences in schedule, especially when they are under contract with you.

You get the most out of the time and money you put into improving your home with quality painting services. To ensure a long-lasting and stunning painted home, investing in a professional painting service is a smart one. Modern Handymen has provided Nashville homeowners with expert painting services over the years. Let our team of reliable, professional painters handle all the details and deliver quality painting works—on time and within budget so you can focus on your exciting next move. Transform your space with a professional paint job—schedule a consultation today with Modern Handymen at 615-200-8071.