A good paint job can elevate the entire complexion of a home if you follow these easy tips.

Paint Works

When people think of a makeover for their home, the first thing that comes to mind is paint – interior and exterior. But painting is an art as well as a science so there are a couple of pointers to keep in mind when painting your home.

Room Preparation – Pre-Painting

Before you decide on the colour and type of paint (which any qualified interior designer and/or painter can assist you with) remember that unless you are painting an empty flat you could end up doing more damage than good if you don’t take care of your belongings and fixtures during the painting process. Follow this easy pre-prep guide to a hassle-free paint job.

1) Remove breakable objects and artworks from the room and move large furniture into the centre, covering it with a plastic.

2) Protect the floor with plastic. Tape the edges to the floor to prevent slipping.

3) Tape off window and door frames, ceilings, and baseboards.

4) Remove switch plates and outlet covers or seal with plastic.

The Painting Process – All About Colour and Choice

Unless you are an expert, how do you know what type of paint works best for you? Here is a basic guide that could help iron out any indecisiveness.

Choosing paint involves deciding on the sheen or degree of shine. A quick rule of thumb: the higher the gloss, the better the finish will stand up to stains, abrasions, and cleaning. Choosing sheen can be a matter of personal preference, but there are some general guidelines to follow. There are four different types of sheen or paint finishes to choose from. Base your choice on the amount of traffic in that room.

1) Flat paint has a matte finish, which is great for hiding wall blemishes, but the finish scuffs. It works best in low-traffic areas or no-traffic areas such as the ceiling.

2) Satin paint shows a slight lustre and has a soft texture. It is more durable than flat paint, so it is best used in bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms.

3) Semi-gloss paint is tougher than satin and has a higher lustre, but it shows wall imperfections more readily than satin or flat paint. This finish works well in kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms.

4) Gloss paint is durable, has a hard finish, and is easy to clean, making it a good choice for kitchen and bathroom cabinets.



Image Courtesy Kansai Nerolac Image Courtesy Kansai Nerolac

Environmentally Friendly Paints

Ordinary paints contain lead and a large number of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) that can be very harmful. Considering this urgent need for safer, healthier paints there is an option available today of Lead-free / Low VOC / ‘Green Paints.’ The implications of a freshly painted apartment have long troubled consumers who have had to move out of their homes due to the unbearable odour and long-term health effects of lead-based paints.

Colour Chemistry

“Colours are powerful influencers; they lend vibrancy, calm, and affect the overall mood of the people inhabiting the rooms,” says Anuj Jain, Director Decorative Paints, Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited. Choosing the correct colour scheme is a very important aspect of home décor and it reflects the state of mind of the customer. “Certain colours are best suited for specific locations in the house as they best describe the tonality and the mood. Each colour is unique and has its own significance depending on which one can choose the colour defining them the best.” Says Percy Jijina, Sales Director-Decorative, Jotun India Pvt Ltd.

There are a few tips to keep in mind when selecting between dark and light shades and different colours.

Lighting, the presence/ absence of windows, and room size should all be factored in when finalising colours. When selecting a palette or combination for your rooms it is very important to make sure you check the appearance of that colour in the lighting of your room. Simply switching from white light to yellow light or vice versa can completely transform the overall mood of the room. A simple method to do this is to simply cut out paint chips from the shade card you have selected the colours from and hold it on your wall. Alternately you could ask for a paste-able sample or have a small portion of the wall painted in the colour of your choice.

Remember, light colours tend to open up a room, making it seem more spacious.

Dark hues can add depth and warmth. If you want to use dark colours then use a dark colour on a single wall to create visual interest without making the room feel smaller.

If white is right then check out how surrounding elements will reflect light and alter the colour. For example, a red sofa or rug might make white walls look pink!

Before deciding on a colour get your painter to actually apply a few strips on the intended surface BEFORE you remove the furniture so you get an idea of how it will blend with the furniture, upholstery etc.



Image Courtesy Kansai Nerolac Image Courtesy Kansai Nerolac



Here is a colour-wise guide to help you choose the best shade:

The colour Red, being the most dynamic and passionate colour, bestows warmth and can be used in the entrance hall – symbolic of a warm welcome to the guests. Red stimulates appetite & conversation making it a favoured colour for dining rooms. It also creates the right atmosphere for restaurants and theatres.

Yellow is joyous and virtuous in its purest form, making it the most widely used colour in the world. It is also associated with wealth, being the colour of gold. In rooms to the north that lack a strong source of natural light, walls can be painted yellow to give the rooms a bright look. Yellow is an ideal colour for classrooms because we learn most effectively in yellow rooms.

Green is the colour of life and represents freshness and abundance. The colour of hope and fertility, green is proven to generate a therapeutic effect and stimulates meditation. That makes green suitable in rooms for well-being and rest, and its harmonising effect makes it a choice for living rooms too. Ideally, green should be used in libraries and studies because it increases concentration.

Blue, the colour of the sky above and sea below, stands for tranquillity. Blue is suitable for rooms to the south and in baths because it is associated with water. It is also a preferred colour for bedrooms because it is known to induce sleep by calming the mind. To reduce stress in offices and treatment rooms, walls may be painted blue.

Orange is the colour of knowledge. In bright tones, orange is jovial, cheerful and playful. Deepened shades of orange become exotic and exciting. Known to revitalise the mind and body, it is a good colour for living rooms and dining rooms.

A colour of great individual style, Purple is associated with royalty and luxury. It indicates sensuality, passion and depth of feeling. It is also a colour of self-confidence and ego and represents spiritual aspiration. This lavish colour creates an unusual essence to the room it adorns, making it a good option for bedrooms.

This sensuous and tactile colour is one of the favourites of nature. It is easy on the eyes and symbolises contentment and physical comfort. Brown represents the importance of heart and home and is best for the walls of the living room to lend a mysterious and sensual allure.

An emotional colour, Pink connotes a sensitive heart in a strong personality. It universally represents caring and sharing and is associated with causes of importance to women such as Breast Cancer Awareness. Pink is best suited for bedrooms to give them a peaceful and delicate touch.



Image Courtesy Kansai Nerolac Image Courtesy Kansai Nerolac

Some important links, courtesy Nerolac:

1. Consumers generally begin their journey by looking for painting inspiration.

There are many options available online. Here is the link to the Nerolac site, and another for texture and designer finishes.

2. Selecting colour combinations and final colours is the next step:

Again this may happen online. All colours are available in all products, but shade availability varies and it is best to check with a local dealer. Local dealer contacts can be found here. When selecting a product the pricing is a key issue. The Nerolac paint calculator app gives consumers a good estimate of how much it will cost to paint their homes with very minimal inputs.

3. The Nerolac Color Style app is also available on the Google Play Store for Android devices.

4. Consumer Care number, home painting advice, details of painters: 18002092092