If you are looking to refresh the look of a room, a fresh coat of paint is in order. You can’t just grab a brush and a can of paint and go to work recklessly. You need to outline areas with painters tape to keep your lines crisp.

Maybe you are especially thrifty and do not want to spend the time or money on painters tape. Luckily, there are some alternatives to painters tape. Whether your issue with it is the price or the time consumed laying it down, we have a solution for you.

Other types of tape: Tapes such as duct tape or masking tape will work pretty well in place of painters tape and are cheaper. The problem is that they sometimes stick too well. When removed, the tape can peel up pieces of paint underneath. These tapes are best to use outside or in an area where imperfections are not very noticeable.

Edgers: You might be searching for alternatives to painters tape because laying down the tape simply takes too long. If this is the case, edgers may be a solution for you. They come in a variety of price ranges from cheap and less technical to expensive and more precise.

The most common type includes a soft pad connected to a small square or triangular piece. Provided that you only get the paint on the pad and not on the edge of the edger, you should have no problems keeping a crisp line.

“Cutting in”: This is a method many professional painters use. It can be tricky, and requires a steady hand. This method involves using a smaller paintbrush and painting with the edge of the brush very carefully. If you are considering using this method, it is probably best to practice prior to starting your project.

Hire a painter: Arguably the most effective of alternatives to painters tape is to not paint the room yourself. Let a professional handle the job. They are trained to complete the job quickly and efficiently.

Find One

To find a qualified painter in your area who will know the alternatives to painters tape, try TalkLocal’s free service. We will connect you with a local professional within minutes. Our service is fast, easy, and absolutely free.

Remodeling a basement involves a lot of work. Picking out the style is fun, but putting it together can be a different story. When all of the tough stuff — putting down flooring, wiring for electricity, figuring out the plumbing — is said and done, you get to go back to the fun stuff: wall décor. Some of your ideas for remodeling a basement might include different wall décor possibilities, all of which allow you to exercise your creativity.

Some ideas for remodeling a basement include:

Painting the walls: When you are in a basement, you are most likely not going to have windows (definitely not large windows) to let in a lot of natural light. To avoid being overwhelmed by unnatural lighting or feeling like the room is too dark, try to pick out lighter colors. Lighter colors of paint will automatically lighten the room and help you feel more comfortable. If you’re dead set on using your favorite color, and that happens to be darker, try to use it as an accent and keep the lighter colors around.

Wallpaper: If you are using patterned wallpaper, make sure it isn’t overwhelming compared to the space of the basement. Being in a small basement surrounded by checkerboard might sound cool at first, but it may make you feel dizzy when all is said and done. Try to pick patterns that are aesthetically pleasing and make the room feel larger and more open.

Hanging artwork: Picking out wall décor to hang is always fun. When you’ve got a theme in mind, you’ll have a great time going to town at the mall and finding that piece of art that suits perfectly. When shopping, keep in mind the dimensions of your basement and try not to clutter the walls. Go for smaller pieces if you want multiples on one wall, or perhaps one larger piece with smaller accent pieces on opposite walls. Floating shelves also make great décor, and they allow the freedom to add whatever you choose and even make affordable changes to the theme as time goes by.

Find Help For The Project

Picking out décor is fun, but you may find you would like some help when it comes to actually securing it to the wall. For that, or other questions, TalkLocal can connect you with the professionals in your area who can help.

A fresh coat of paint can make an older home look brand new. It will cover up nicks and scuffs, and can brighten or warm the feel of a room. Giving the interior of your home a facelift, even when you are crunched for time, is as easy as applying a new coat of paint. Here are the fastest methods to paint a room:

Hire a professional. Although costly, professionals will paint your rooms quickly and will do an excellent job. Best of all, no backbreaking work for you!

Frame the room first. Paint the edges of the walls first because these take the most effort and time. Once you get to painting the larger areas of the wall, you will be able to cruise through it.

Only frame rooms for which you are certain you have enough paint. If you frame a room and then find that you do not have enough paint, the new paint you buy may not match exactly. This will cost you in time painting over the mismatched paint.

Consider technology. While a regular paint roller provides faster clean up than a more high-tech device, it takes quite a bit of time to reapply paint, dab off excess and paint over thin spots. Consider using a roller with a reservoir. These new-fangled rollers hold a certain amount of paint in them. The only time you need to stop is to refill, and you won’t have to worry about blotting off excess paint.

Hire unpaid help. These are also known as friends and family. Make food and buy beverages to entice friends and family to pitch in. The more people that help, the quicker the job will be.

Considering Option No. 1?

If your project is just too big for you to handle, call a professional. Qualified painters will know the fastest methods to paint a room and will do so with a high-quality workmanship. TalkLocal can find a painter in your area for you, and we will not charge you a dime. You will be on the phone with a professional in minutes.

The basic tools needed for painting walls are essential for a durable and flawless paint job. With these basic tools, you will be your own professional painter!

Drop Cloths

First, you will need to cover the area to prevent paint from spilling and damaging your floor, furniture, fixtures, and other objects. Lay down several drop cloths to protect the area. Also, use painter’s tape to cover the edges of any outlets, chair rails (or dado rails), window frames, and doorframes. Even if you’ve cleared the room of furniture, you will want to cover the floor.

Prep Tools

You will need to prepare your walls to be painted. This means removing any paint or wallpaper and repairing any cracks or imperfections. You will need a scraper, sandpaper, and caulk to seal any cracks.

Paint Rollers

You will need to use 1/2- to 3/4-inch paint rollers to paint your walls. Rollers will allow you to paint more surface area in a shorter amount of time. Although it may be tempting the purchase the cheapest roller, you could end up paying a higher price. Cheap rollers will give you less even coverage, more dripping, and might leave traces of lint on your wall.

In addition to a roller, you should purchase a rolling pan and a roller screen. The rolling pan will give you easy access to the paint. The screen will press the paint into the roller, which will prevent dripping.

Roller Frames and Roller Pole

You will also need two roller frames, especially if you are painting your walls more than one color. If you use only one roller frame, then make sure you wash it between colors. The different roller frames will prevent the paint on rollers from mixing.

Roller poles are perfect for reaching higher areas on the walls without using a wobbly ladder. Although you will eventually need a ladder in order to perfect the wall and ceiling edges, the roller pole gives you more flexibility by allowing you to reach higher up.

Brushes

A  2-1/2 to 3-inch paintbrush is ideal for painting around door frames, window frames, wall-to-ceiling edges, and around any fixtures. A high-quality brush with flexible bristles that are firmly intact is the best brush to work with for painting walls. Use a separate brush for different colors and primer.

Ladder

A sturdy ladder will help you reach the ceiling edge at the top of the wall and any other higher areas on your wall. Be careful when using a ladder! Make sure to keep it on a flat, level surface.

Professional Help

If you are looking for a professional painter, look no further! TalkLocal can help connect you with up to three, high-quality painting professionals in your area, for free!

Replacing old trim in a home can really give it a fresh appearance. If you have checked with your local home improvement store, buying new, finished trim can be pricey. An inexpensive way to freshen the look of your home is to buy unfinished trim. This will be less costly, but you will need to know how to finish wooden trim in order to achieve the look you’re hoping for. The process is very similar to the way in which you finish wood paneling.

How To Finish Wooden Trim

1. Choose a well-ventilated area that is free of dust and debris. The garage tends to work best because you can open the door without worrying about leaves or dirt blowing into your project.

2. Sand down your trim. Most pre-cut pieces of trim will be smooth enough, but you will still need to sand the wood. This process will allow for the stain and finish to stick to the wood more easily.

3. Find a stain that works with the wood you choose. Generally, stains work best with the wood they were designed for.

4. After blowing off all of the saw dust left from sanding, use an old rag or sponge tip brush to apply the stain evenly. Try to avoid bubbles. If you notice bubbling, dab the rag or brush on the area to even it out.

5. Allow the pieces to dry overnight.

6. Apply a clear seal coating to the trim. This substance can be found near the stain in your local home improvement store.

7. Allow the seal coating to dry overnight.

Not Confident In Your Skill?

The process is relatively simple and can save you quite a bit of money. If you are looking to save more, consider saving the old trim and refinishing it. If this project seems like more than you can handle, call an expert. TalkLocal can find you a professional in your area that will know how to finish wooden trim. Our service is fast, easy, and free.

Drywall is made up of gypsum plaster and thick sheets of paper.  This construction method is often used because it is a faster alternative to the old-fashioned lath and plaster way.  It is very easy to install and simple to repair as well.  We have some helpful drywall repair how to tips for you to consider when repairing drywall.

Drywall Repair How To

The best thing to do is get a drywall repair kit when you want to do a quick patch up.  The toolkit usually includes 4 knives, a hammer, a screwdriver, a saw and drill.  There are 3, 6, and 8 inch flex knives, a utility knife, and an inside corner knife.  You may also need to get a hand sander, hacksaw, nails, and a level depending on your repair. Drywall compound, mesh tape, paper tape, and screws are obviously a must.

1. The first thing you need to do is clean up the area where the drywall needs to be repaired. Get rid of the loose edges and sand it down.

2. Dip a knife into the drywall compound and load approximately half the blade.  Smooth the mixture over the damaged area with slow level strokes.

3. Remove any extra compound that is not being used.  The drywall compound will shrink as it dries so you may need to apply a second coat.

If the whole is larger and cannot just be patched up you will need to use mesh and tape.

1. Clean the area similarly as before.

2. Cut the mesh to the right size and shape and attach it with the paper tape.

3. Once the mesh is securely in place you can apply the drywall compound to the mesh.  Smooth the compound on evenly, also compounding the surrounding drywall so that the mesh does not fall through.  Let it dry and apply a second coat if needed.

Further Assistance

Patching up drywall is not overly difficult, but it can be time-consuming. If you would rather have a professional painter patch up that hole in your wall, just use TalkLocal. We’ll connect you with up to three painting contractors in your area for free. You’ll be speaking with the right professional in just minutes!

Adding some color to a drab room, or covering up some wild colors from a previous homeowner, can be an inexpensive way to refresh the look of your home. What do you do, though, if you’ve done all the preparation and find your project looks like it will take longer than a day? If you’ve found yourself in this predicament, you may be wondering how to store paint rollers overnight. It is actually pretty simple.

You Will Need:

– Plastic — either grocery bags, plastic food wrap, a garbage bag, or some other form of throw-away plastic

– A cool, dark place to store the roller

– Cardboard or old newspapers

1. Make sure the roller is not extremely saturated. Roll out as much paint as you can on the wall, or use some of your cardboard or newspapers to roll out the excess.

2. Cover the rollers completely with plastic. You can leave the handle on, but mash the plastic to the roll to eliminate any air in the bag. It will do you no good to store the roller if air is left in the bag to dry it out.

3. Place the roller in a cool, dark place (preferably the refrigerator) on top of a piece of cardboard or old newspaper. The cold and lack of air will ensure the paint does not dry out, and the cardboard will prevent any unwanted paint from getting in your refrigerator.

Call In The Painters

Once you learn how to store paint rollers overnight, you will drastically cut down on your clean up time. Paint rollers can take quite a bit of water to completely rinse free. If you’re worried that taking on a painting project might be too much to handle, you should consider calling a professional. TalkLocal can help you find a qualified one in your area for free. Check out our easy-to-use service, for free!

An attractive exterior house color can contribute to its curb appeal and even increase its resale value. Color is one of the first impressions someone has about your house, so make it represent you. Consider these tips when choosing exterior house paint.

Rules of Thumb​

– Choose a trim color first. The main house color should be two shades apart on the same color strip.

– Natural lighting can drastically change how a color appears. When selecting exterior colors, look at the color strip outdoors where it will be used. Similarly, interior colors should be viewed indoors.

– Plan out what you are painting and how many colors you are using. Too many accents on one side of the house can make it look lopsided. Don’t try to use everything on the color wheel; stick to a few main shades that work well together. Consult with employees at a home improvement store or search online for ideas.​

Permanent colors​

Certain colors on or near your home cannot change, such as brick, roof shingles, or landscaping. Select an exterior color that plays off of these constants. For example, look for color specks in your roof shingles or a color scheme from nearby flowers. You wouldn’t want to select a clashing house color, and then have to replace other parts of your home.

Geography​

Sunlight tends to wash out colors, so bright shades are suitable for sunny locations. Muted shades are better for cloudy regions because a brightly colored home may look out of place or overwhelming.

Context

Observe your neighbors’ houses and their color schemes. Make sure your color choices do not clash with theirs, but instead, stand out subtly. Mismatched houses work against each other, so drive around your neighborhood to get a sense of what other people are doing.​​​

Accents​

You can use an accent color to highlight unique architectural details or any part of the home you want to stand out. Lighter colors are popular for windowsills because they reflect the sun’s light and heat. Dark accent colors add a crispness to your house’s appearance, and can also hide less attractive parts of your home, such as gutters or air conditioning units.

Visual Tricks​

Light colors bring objects into the foreground, while dark colors recede into the background. If you want to make a house appear bigger or closer to the curb, choose a lighter color.  If you want to downsize a large house, choose a darker color.  You can also scale down the height of a house by painting the upper half a darker color. A lighter color also makes a house seem welcoming, whereas a darker color makes a house seem grounded.

Additional Help

If you are looking to get your house painted, consider seeking professional help. A painting contractor can help you choose the most appropriate colors, as well as paint the house for you. TalkLocal will connect you with up to three, high-quality painting contractors in your area. Let Talk Local find the professional help for you!