How to Paint Your Media Room

If you want a media wall that is simple but impactful at the same time, then painting it in charismatic charcoal hues is an excellent way to go about it. Even when you’re minimal with the charcoal cladding and feature the barest designs on it, it can still feel really impactful.

A dedicated media room can be a fun place for families to gather and enjoy a good movie (or a bad one!). It might be tempting to paint and decorate it like you do any other room in the house, but this can negatively affect the performance of the room.

When painting a media room, here are some tips you should keep in mind –

1) Go Dark!

The first thing to keep in mind is that TV screens reflect their surroundings. Projector screens take this a step further… they amplify and reflect any light source.

This means that a brightly coloured room can reflect onto the screen, causing a distraction even when the lights are off. The simplest way to fix this is by painting the media room with a mid-tone or darker colour.

There is a reason movie theatres are all painted black. While this is the easy, obvious choice, this doesn’t always work with the style of the house and is just too dark for many people.

Therefore, dark greys and deep maroons tend to be popular home theatre colours. A deep, dark red looks stunning, like you’re in a real theatre, but still performs well when the lights are off. Stick with flat and matte sheens for the paint

2) Make Sure The Paint is Flat

The paint sheen you choose is important, and this is true again when painting a media room. A flat or matte sheen is your best bet. While it shows wear quicker and is a little hard to clean, a flat finish will reduce the amount of reflections from the screen. This is ideal for the least distracting movie experience.

If the walls in your house get a lot of abuse, you can compromise with an eggshell sheen. It will be slightly reflective, but allow you to clean the walls more easily.

This is very important and often overlooked. No matter what colour you choose, you want to make sure it is a neutral colour. Since the screen is reflecting the room, the colour of the wall can actually distort the colours you see on the screen.Stay with a neutral shade to avoid affecting the perceived colour of the TV screen

3) Keep It Neutral

Blacks and Greys have shades that are a little too red or a little too blue. Most paint stores will have a selection of neutral shades to choose from, or be able to tell you if a colour is neutral or not And being neutral doesn’t just mean staying with grey and black. Deep reds, blues and greens can also be neutral colours.

4) Don’t Forget the Ceiling

Most houses have flat white ceilings. This helps make the ceilings feel taller and more open. In a media room however, this can causes reflections with the screen.

Once again, you will want to go with a dark colour with a matte finish. In most cases, it is easiest to go with the same colour you chose for the walls. Dark greys and blacks are the most popular choices here.

If you are looking to add some dimension to the room, try a slightly darker shade than the walls. For example, ask the paint store to give you the same colour 50% darker. This will help break up the transition from the walls to the ceiling

5) What About An Accent Wall?

I mean, why not?! When painting a media room, we sometimes get asked about doing an accent wall to break up the room. The absolute best place to do it is on the screen wall.

You can go a couple different directions with this. This first, and most common, is to paint the wall with the screen the darkest black you can find. Again, there is a reason movie theatres use black. It is less distracting, drawing your eyes only to the screen.

However, another option is to try a colour on this wall, especially if you watch with the lights off. Also, since the wall is behind the screen, the screen won’t reflect the color from this wall. A mint green will disappear with the lights off, but give the room some style and colour when the lights are on.

Some Other Tips…

While the paint will have a huge affect on the style and performance of your media room, there are some other things you want to think about:

Flooring – Use carpet. Carpet will absorb sound as well as light, and is really the only choice. Hard flooring is popular these days, but a poor choice for a media room.
Lighting – Put your lights on a dimmer so you can control how much light there is. Add blackout shades to any windows. Use a night light if you need a little light for getting around the room without distracting from the screen.
Seating – Home theatre seating is ideal, but couches work as well. Make sure they are comfortable, and that you have a place to set down a drink.
Furniture – If you need to put any other furniture in the room such as cabinets or bookshelves, try putting them at the sides or the back of the room. Ideally, your focus wall should only have the screen on it and be free from distractions.
Wall Hangings – Try to avoid any wall hangings that are reflective, such as pictures or artwork. If you must, try and use non-reflective glass. Fabric sound absorbers and heavy curtains are great if you are going all out for performance and authenticity.

NOW! Is the Best Time to Paint & Renovate!

According to Domain more and more Australians are choosing to renovate and these figures have continued to increase during the COVID-19 crisis.

So why should YOU consider painting during this time?

LOW INTEREST RATES.

With record breaking low interest rates currently on offer and with more time spent at home due to self-isolation – Why not start that painting?

The banks are encouraging Australians to spend more on their homes to keep our housing industry alive. Have you been following the interest rate decline?

Let’s be honest, when was the last time you had so much time? With social distancing influencing our every move (and for good reason, let’s not forget that); we no longer have a social life; we are spending more time than ever at home.

Our lives are usually packed with work commitments, social commitments and family commitments. We have great intentions of getting those renovations done, but the family tease is ‘when’.

MARKET.

We find ourselves in very unusual times. COVID-19 has hit the Australian economy and almost every industry within it. No one can gives us an answer as to ‘how long’ as none of us have been here before. However, we have been in housing slumps and we have been in recessions. While we are uncertain of the immediate future, we know from past experiences the housing industry will return.

Like any renovation, it is about weighing up the reason you are renovating, the cost involved, and what you are wanting from the future.

Is this a family home you are investing your time and money in? Is the decision to renovate about making space for your growing family rather than return on investment (ROI) in 12 months?

Do you need to make your home more accessible? Are you wanting to spend as many years as your can in your current home without having to go into care.
Are you renovating purely for ROI? What is your timeframe? Are you hoping to live in the home for a few years and sell after these uncertain times are passed?

All of these are excellent reasons to continue renovating during this period.

Save some serious $$$$$$$

Considering the circumstances in our world at the moment, We looked at how this was going to affect Paintway! The first thing we thought of is to help our customers! or anyone who wants to make there dollar go a little further when it comes to painting there home.

People start exterior and interior home painting projects for many reasons – to beautify and extend lives of their houses, to improve curb appeal, or to raise value of a house in order to sell it faster. Most of us isolated in our own homes, I guarantee you (including us) having a good look around inside I bet there is some changes you would like to make – or give your home a little freshen up, Especially when we are spending alot more time looking at our home! 😃

But whatever the reason, PAINTWAY have your back and are sharing some home painting tips, that will help you save money on your next home improvement painting project.

Repaint your home more often🏚

This may sound counter-intuitive, but with regular maintenance painting you can keep the surfaces protected and avoid costly repairs.

A lot of homeowners wait too long before scheduling exterior home painting, thinking they are saving some money, but instead they end up with failing/peeling paint, cracks, dryrot, mould/mildew and water damage – conditions that are very expensive to fix.

If you take into account that the biggest cost of having your house painted is from Labour. come from labor, The longer you wait, the more you’ll end up paying because of all the preparation and repairs that your house will need.

It’s much cheaper to keep your house and your budget under control by being proactive – a properly and regularly maintained house usually needs just one fresh coat of paint and minimum surface preparation – your savings will reach into thousands.

Choose the best 🙌🏻

“I am not rich enough to buy cheap things” – this saying holds true for so many things in life, but especially for house painting.

The primary purpose of quality paint is to protect your home from the elements, and its decorative value is just a nice bonus. So when you buy cheap paint, you are not saving any money, just the opposite – you are wasting it, because the thing you bought does not do what you bought it to do.

The same goes for getting quotes for painting – low bidders cut corners on surface preparation, and without proper surface prep the paint will not hold well – you may have to pay someone else to redo the job. You can avoid paying more and paying twice if you choose a reputable house painting contractor who will do the job right the first time.

Some people spread their exterior and interior home painting projects throughout the year – they hire a house painter just for painting a room, then a couple months later they call him back to paint something else in the house and so on.

But if you group your exterior and interior home painting projects together to be done at the same time, you can usually get a “volume” discount from your house painting contractor – he will save on setting up and wrapping up and will pass those savings on to you.

Queenslanders in Toowoomba

The best things about an old Queenslander House is the charm. There are some design elements that characterise these homes and make them beautiful, but there are also some design elements that make painting it tricky.

It’s not enough to just slap some paint on it and hope for the best. There are a few things to consider that will turn an old Queenslander looking like a stylish and vibrant house on the street.

The first thing to consider when painting your house

The older buildings were built with different materials when compared to modern buildings. This must be taken into consideration before painting.

A lot of the old Queenslanders have strips of timber known as VJ panelling. When painting these walls of an old house, the first step is to go through and wash the walls down.

Preparing to paint your house

Over time an older house will bear the brunt of weather and lifestyle. This just means it needs to be thoroughly inspected to identify what we need to do.

We inspect for any defects, such as dints, chips in the walls, nails that might be hanging out that need to be knocked in.

Once we are happy with that, we sand any surfaces that need paint to ensure we are following correct procedures.

Helping the paint last longer on your house

The old Queenslanders were built with VJ panels, which means there are gaps that need to be filled.

This part of the process can be quite a time-consuming process and can get quite messy. It’s important that professionals come in and treat it right and use the right products.

To prepare for painting VJ panels, we use a Poly Gap Filler. It’s quite flexible and great to work with.

Timber is always moving. So it’s important to have a product that is going to flex with that to avoid the paint cracking open.

The final result of painting a Queenslander

Old Queenslander Houses in their own right look great. But with a good paint job, they really pop on the street.

By understanding the specific steps required to enhance a Queenslander house, you can rest assured that your investment will last 10 – 15 years.

How to paint a Balustrade

We have recently given a major make over to A huge amount of Balustrades in a older style home.

Painting previously stained balustrade can prove to be a challenge. Not only with the length of time it can take, (it took us 3 days by hand!) but also with the process of what to paint first. Timber staining can also prove to be an issue, causing unsightly staining on your newly painted stair balustrade.

This post will show you how to prevent the staining issue, paint the balustrade efficiently and the material element of what to use.

Preparation

The secret to decorating is all about preparation. Anyone can put a brush into paint and paint any surface. The secret to it lasting, protecting your surface and staying looking good is proper preparation.

In this instance I used 120 grit Aluminium Oxide glass paper attached to my sander. This allows for dust free sanding, very important to health and keeping a nice clean job. Don’t go crazy with the sander, just enough to provide a key.

If your balustrade is currently painted with gloss varnish, then you would need provide a stronger key, so more sanding would then be required.

You may also find that the newel posts and ball may be dirty from peoples hands over the years. This will clog up the sand paper very quickly. The best way to sand this is to first use the sander, then a new piece of glass paper and finish the rest of by hand. You can try and wash this down if you so desire, but I find to sand it off easier and more effective

Painting

Apply a primer either using brush, rad roller pipe roller or spray. I opted to paint by hand because it is intricate work but the overall is look is more finished…it does take time. The alternative is to use a pipe roller as this is also a fast application method.

Priming

Tannin is the technical name for staining that bleeds through paintwork. To prevent tannin, solvent based primers work really well. In the old days, all we had was oil based undercoat. This does 2 jobs for me. Provides a strong adhesion key, dries quickly and because of the solvent borne properties prevents tannin from showing through.

With varnish or stained timber one of the main issues is to make sure the adhesion key is strong. Chipping the top coat off and scratching the top coat will show the dark brown colour through. Strong adhesion primers prevent this.

Any knots on the timber will have to be treated by applying a knot stop solution. If not the knots will show through.

Its 2020! Start of a New Decade and A New House!

We have started strong this year Starting this older Queenslander on the right foot!

We are giving her freshen up: Colours Chosen:

If you missed it – Click Here on a previous blog we wrote on painting old Queenslanders 🙃

If you have a plan to list your home on the market, one of the most cost-effective and simplest ways for increasing its overall value is to paint it thoroughly. It is basically the least expensive investment an individual can make as well as gain the highest of returns. There are certain insights on the best painting ideas to opt for amplifying the curb appeal of your property.

Opt for Neutral Colours to Paint the Interior

Your home is most likely to be sold with a fresh coat of paint. It is because that is the first thing a purchaser notices. Opting for neutral colours for makes it easier for your potential purchasers to imagine themselves living in the house, as neutral paint goes hand in hand with almost anything. Apart from this, several buyers will not spend additional costs on painting the house after the closure.

Know the Rooms to Be Prioritised

Painting is the most effective, most straightforward, as well as incredibly transformative way of changing space. It is because the right kind of paint plays a vital role in making a small room larger whereas a large room a smaller one. The small rooms can look larger in case you paint them with pastel colours or lighter colours. Of you paint the wall and the trim with the same colour; it will create an illusion and make it look like a larger place. On the other hand, if the room is large, which you are willing to make it appear small; it is advised to make use of darker or warmer colours in order to give the space a cosier feeling.

Along with this, prioritising the paint of the kitchen, entrances, foyers, and bathrooms are highly essential.

Types of Paint Matter As Well

Paint is not just about various types of colours. Different sheens and finishes can influence how the paint colour pops, the extent to which it is easy to clean, as well as several other determinants. Hence, it is important for you to consider the following while picking up the paint type.

Thus, these are some of the best painting ideas that will help to increase the curb appeal or resale value of your property. Also, it is highly recommended for you to hire professional painters for more effective ideas on choosing paints to increase the curb appeal of your property.

Stay Tuned for the FINAL RESULT!

How to paint your Wooden Fence

Does that fence Need an update? Here is how you go about it.

What you’ll need:

A Specialised Paint Colour made to withstand the outside elements in your chosen sheen and colour
Drop sheets
Flat paddle paint stirrer
Wide paint brush
10-12mm nap roller and tray
Medium grit sandpaper
Damp cloth
Bucket for cleaning

Get Started:

Prepare your fence by removing any bikes, cars or plants that are too close to the area. Brush away any dirt and lay down your drop sheet.
Test if the paintwork is in good condition by cutting a small ‘X’ through the existing paint with a sharp blade, press cellulose tape firmly across the cut and then rip off the tape. If the paint comes off, it is unsound and should be removed. If the surface is sound, finish with a light but thorough sand.
Make sure to sand back any small areas where the paint has peeled or cracked, and to fill and spot prime any larger holes and defects.
Once you’ve sanded your picket fence, you can start painting straight away, Make sure your paint is self-priming on most surfaces.
Open and stir your paint thoroughly, before loading your paint brush.
To make painting your picket fence a breeze, start by painting the board that runs along the bottom of your fence with your paint brush. Be careful not to pick up any dirt from the ground.
Then, paint the valleys where your roller can’t reach.
Once you’ve painted all 3 sides of the valley with an even coat, you can use a roller in a vertical up and down motion, to paint the vertical panels.
After you’ve finished painting the first coat, wait 2 hours before recoating. Once dry, follow the same process for a second coat. A third coat will need to be applied if the surface is bare timber.

Now – Stand Back and Admire!

On Trend Colours for the next Decade 2020 –

THE NEXT DECADE! WHAT THE??????

I am sure it was only 2010 last year? 🤦🏼‍♀️ Or are we just getting old? 🤣 Life moves Soooo fast and so do Colour Trends! Everyone has such individual tastes and we will always choose colours that reflect our mood and taste…no matter what is on trend but it is also very exciting to get some inspiration with the Paint Brands predictions leading into 2020.

If you’re a design buff, it’s always a good day when a paint brand sheds light on all the “Upcoming on trend colours” With so many collections of gorgeous paint hues range from an earthy orange’s to energetic greens. They are all versatile enough to work in both traditional and modern spaces.

We predict that we are all longing for more well-rounded lives. “2020 marks the start of a new decade, and with that comes a desire for balance—both at home and at work.

Approachable and comfortable colours create a bridge between living and working spaces, with honest hues that homeowners will connect with. All these new collections of trending colours encompasses themes of wellness and wellbeing, connected experiences, inviting environments, and deliberate colour stories. Here are some of Paintway’s our favourites –

Which is your favourite colour?

Let us know!

Paint your house with speed and efficiency

Are you considering painting the exterior of your home and want to do it quickly and with efficiency?

Here are some tips to help you start. If you’re not sure whether you’re cut out for the DIY methods then perhaps it’s best to consult with Paintway.

Preparation:

It seems like we bang on about it but PREPARING A SURFACE IS CRUCIAL! We have written about this in our previous blog – CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT SURFACE PREPARATION

You’ll need to clean dust and grime of the surface you’re looking to paint (a pressure washer machine will really do a great job)
You can also use other utensils which can scrub off any grime or loose paint
If there is any nails sticking out anywhere on the surface then you need to nail those back in and apply putty.
All wood NEEDS to be primed – Imperative with Queenslanders
Make sure if there is any damage on the surface that you fix these up before painting.
Place down plastic covering on anything you don’t want to be ruined by paint, or use thick old sheets.

Tools You Will Need:

Paint Roller
Ladder(possibly)
Paintbrush and Tray
Bristle Brush

Application Tips:

You should always start your painting process from the top and work your way down, this minimises mistakes.
Avoid painting during hot days and in direct sunlight
Paint the larger areas before the small corners of crevices, as you want to get large areas painted quickly before any drying occurs.
You should aim to get at least two coats completed rather than just one thick, one, as you’ll have better coverage with this technique. Having a third coat is perfect.
Always paint your strokes in the same direction and end the stroke onto already wet paint.

Products:

You can either use oil based paint or latex paint, which have their differences:

Latex paint will dry faster than oil based paint
Latex paint is water based
Oil based paint is easier to get a smooth result but are general more difficult to apply
Oil based is glossy, whereas latex comes in both matte and gloss

If you want get a specific look or style it’s best to consult with a professional who can guide you towards colours, products and techniques which are in your best interests. Everyone has a different idea regarding what they desire, and so you should find specific instructions that assist your outcome.

Are you already starting your Spring Cleaning?

Don’t forget to Give your home a Spring spruce up Also!

Spring is one busy season! We suddenly find great reserves of energy and start cleaning our homes, planting our vegetable gardens, and rearranging our wardrobes with bursts of activity that would put a colony of overachieving worker ants to shame.

These energetic springtime activities are worthwhile, but we think you should squeeze in one more thing at this time of year. It’s a great idea to have a look at the condition of the paint on both the interior and exterior walls of your home. Spring is a perfect time to change colour, with the added bonus of adding another layer or two of protection to your exterior walls just in time for the hot and harsh sunny season. Of course, you’re busy doing other things and we don’t expect you to undertake a major painting project on your own. We’ll do it for you, but it’s up to you to get in touch with us sooner rather than later.

Spring is probably the best time of year for repainting your home. In this climate, the paint dries quickly and forms a perfect base on the surface for top coats. There is less moisture in the air and more daylight hours, so the paint is more likely to stick and the chance of failure decreases. Leaving it till summer to paint, with all that humidity and sticky heat, not to mention frequent downpours during thunder storms, really is a recipe for a less than perfect painting project – and at Paintway , anything less than perfect is just not good enough.

If you have one eye on the real estate market, with the other eye on paint colour charts, then you’re probably aware that the market has peaks and valleys during the year. Spring is considered its high point, so if you’re planning to list your home and take advantage of greater numbers of potential buyers coming into the market, it’s time to act. Paint and spruce up your property now, then schedule an open house…a house that looks brand new, thanks to the transformative effect of a repaint both inside and out.

Whether you’re getting your home ready for market, or just eager for a colourful change of scenery, now is the time do it. Spring’s climate provides optimum painting conditions, and perfect results. When it comes to choosing colours, companies like Dulux and Taubmans will give you plenty of inspiration and ideas by showcasing the latest colour trends, and we can advise you as well.

We’re experienced in selecting the best product, colour and finish for your unique needs and purpose. And although we specialise in Queenslander style homes, there’s nothing we can’t paint. So, go ahead and pick our brains! But do it soon. A spring repaint is bigger than a spring clean, so get in before the rush and enjoy a new-look home this summer.