How to Paint Like a Professional contractor: Tips for Amateurs

If you're a typical DIYer, you've probably decided, at some point in your life, that some room in your house could do with a new paint job. If you decide to leave the paint color the same, all you have to worry about are things like taping and moldings and windowpanes. You know, the easy stuff. But what if you want to change the color? Then what? Now you're getting into the murky realm of Interior Decorating, where people get degrees to tell them when, if ever, it's okay to put blue and purple in the same room. (True blue and royal purple, for example, should never go in the same room. But powder blue or baby blue look very nice with a soft lavendar...) First off, it's important to know the basics. There are four basic color groups that you'll want to worry about when painting; neutrals, brights, pastels, and earth tones. (Arguably, there are other color groups as well, such as Neons or Metallics. But we're hoping you won't be using those to paint your walls...)

Neutrals are colors like tan, camel, brown, coffee, bone, ivory, etc.; colors that go with almost everything and that can be used as a backdrop when you don't want something to stand out. Neutrals are good choices for rooms that have a lot of interest in the decor or the furnishings. Museums, for example, generally choose neutrals for their walls; the point is to showcase the paintings, not the walls. Similarly, rooms that have collections in them, or rooms where the furnishings or some other aspect of the room is meant to be the focal point, neutrals are a good, safe color. If you're not entirely sure what you're doing, pick a nice neutral and run with it. It's very hard to come out wrong with a neutral.

Brights are the opposite. Where neutrals practically create their own background and fade into it, brights stand up and scream "Look at me!". Brights are used VERY rarely as a wall color, no matter what you might see on Trading Spaces, and when you do use them, you have to be absolutely positive that the rest of the room--right down to the shape and size of the room--are going to harmonize with them. Brights include colors like true red, lemon yellow, orange of almost any shade (there is one exception; we'll get to that in a moment), royal purple, and deep blue. Brights should never be used together unless you have a specific look you're going for, usually one of dissonance or discordance, and you really know what you're doing. This is the reason, for example, people say "You should never use red and pink together" or "you should never use blue and purple together." In their true form, these colors are brights, and their natural inclination is to clash.







Profitable Home Improvement Projects

1. Plumbing and Electrical Repairs Average Plumbing Cost per Leak: $175.78 Average Electrical Cost per Outlet: $209.51 ROI: 260%

A lot of homeowners tend to invest money on home improvement projects that add aesthetic appeal to their homes. They tend to overlook that putting money into updating functionalities such as plumbing and electrical systems in the home can actually yield an average 260% ROI for American homes.

Think that a leak, no matter how small, has the power to pull your home's cost down when you put-off repairs. The same goes for faulty electrical wiring. It can put your family's life in danger too. Updating your plumbing and electrical systems will not only bolster your home’s equity, it also helps save on maintenance costs. For instance, repairing leaks helps conserve water. It also helps keep the home sanitary.

While plumbing repairs normally consist of fixing leaks and replacing pipes, they are actually done as part of landscaping, bathroom remodeling, and kitchen renovation projects. When pipe insulation wears off, it may also require plumbing services. Installation of mounted lighting fixtures, wiring for appliance updates, and installation of electrical systems in new rooms in the house typically count towards electrical repair and maintenance tasks.


2. Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling Average cost of Kitchen Remodeling: $27,000 Average cost of Bathroom Remodeling: $17,500 ROI: 168%

The value of a home has a lot to do with the condition of its bathrooms and kitchen. Whether you'll resell or put your home up for rent in the future, you can expect your prospects to scrutinize the condition of these areas.

Check these facets of these areas of your home: Electrical systems, lighting, and appliances (if any) Plumbing systems for sanitation Convenience and ergonomics especially in the kitchen

Here’s a tip: make the most of the home improvement crew for your renovation project. Grab this chance to have them check on the condition of your plumbing and electrical system. If any amount of repair is needed, you can be sure to have a discount in services fees if you'll have the same kitchen and/or bathroom renovation crew work on the plumbing and/or electrical repair. Kitchen remodeling is often undertaken to improve working space and storage. Re-flooring, countertop work, and upgrades or repairs of kitchen appliances are also included in the scope of the project. Bathroom remodeling normally entails bath tub scrubbing or re-coloring or replacement, installation of modern pedestal sinks and fixtures, repainting, re-installation of bathroom tiles and maintenance or repairs in plumbing and lighting.



Copyright 2025