How to paint a gleaming white wall

Dola RC Dola RC
Floreat Residence, Perth, Western Australia, Moda Interiors Moda Interiors Modern living room
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At one point of time in his life, famous architect Le Corbusier was so enamoured by the power of white that he insisted on having a pure white interior for almost every construction project he worked on. He stated, “The white of the whitewash is absolute, everything stands out from it and is recorded absolutely, black on white; it is honest and dependable.” One of Le Corbusier’s contemporaries, artist and author Marcel Duchamp, was also fascinated by the magic of white. Modern designers often find themselves similarly enticed by the evocative presence of white. 

Interestingly, this appearance of white is an illusion, for white is actually a composite of many hues. In spite of that, today’s homeowners cannot ignore the charm of having a gleaming white interior. They use a variety of materials, including marbles and porcelain tiles, to obtain the desired effect. But to easily get the all white appearance it is best to paint the walls and ceilings in a spectacularly white tone. It is easier, does not require any structural alteration and is a more affordable solution.

Like many modern householder, you are perhaps willing to get your hands dirty to achieve the ideal look for your house or apartment. Today’s suggestions will help you to attain a perfect white finish for your walls.

Choose the right white

What you consider a pure white tone almost always has a tint of other shades. Besides, the purest of whites may not be suited for the interior of a residential house. You may feel stressed if exposed to such a pure and dazzling white tone for a long time. 

Think of real life and consider how many types of whites you find yourself exposed to – pearly white, milky white, snow white and so on. If you wish to create a warm atmosphere, choose a shade that can appropriately exude such a feeling. Using peachy white, creamy white, off-white, linen white etc., will create a more genial ambiance compared to blue white, honeydew and somewhat neutral whitesmoke.

Estimate the amount of paint you need

This part is slightly tricky, because the amount of paint needed heavily depends on the factors like area to be covered, surface texture and type of paint. You can use calculators provided by the specific brand you are about to use and correctly predict the amount required. Experienced brand representatives and designers can also assist you in this. 

Generally speaking, with one litre of paint you will be able to cover about 90 sq feet wall surface. For untouched drywalls the requirements will increase. Painting wooden surfaces like partitions and ceilings will require separate estimations. For best results, you will also need a coat of primer followed by at least two coasts of paint.

Get the right equipment for painting

Organise your workspace and get your equipment ready. You can buy or borrow the tools, but ensure that they are appropriate for the job and are in pristine condition. 

For this task you will require a paint kettle, sandpaper, white spirit, filling knife, rolling pole. dust sheets, masking tapes, paint pad and tray, roller set, paint brushes, the cans of primer and paint. You will also have to make arrangements for a ladder to reach the upper portions of the walls and ceiling, gloves, apron, dust mask and safety goggles.

Prepare the surfaces

You will actually need to spend more time and efforts in preparing the surface before applying even a single coat of paint.

- Rectify any blemishes, structural deficiencies, leakages etc.  

- Use abrasive papers or sand papers to remove any residual paint, dust and grease from the walls and ceiling.

- Completely clean the surfaces with soap water. Let it dry thoroughly.

- Remove blisters from the plaster work, if any. 

- Coat the entire surface with primer.

Take a note of the weather condition

Most paints are manufactured to dry quickly. Yet, weather conditions have significant bearing on the entire process. Low humidity, sunny weather and moderate temperature are necessary for good paint work. So you should shun this task in the rainy season and the heat of summer. Complete the entire process at the room temperature. 

When the temperature is mild, paint the east and west sides of a building in the early morning and late in the day respectively. North and south sides can be completed during mid afternoon. This will ensure proper drying of the primer and paint.

Mix the paint

Combine all the cans bought for a specific room into a bigger bucket. This step is essential to get a uniform looking white shade throughout the room. Stir the paint thoroughly and remove any paint chips and debris. This part is very important to get an evenly white effect like this living room designed by Lee Evans Partnership.

Begin application

Cover all woodwork, window panes, plug sockets, flooring and any other objects of décor that cannot be removed with drop cloths and adhesive tapes. Begin painting from the corners with a top down approach. Cover small sections with uniform strokes of your roller. Do not let the paint dry between two consecutive strokes, and don't press the roller against the wall. It should gently touch the surface. Strive for uniform thickness every time you apply the paint. Use the rolling pole to relieve your hand and back muscles from strain. 

Not all parts of the room can be reached with a roller. Use paint brushes to apply the finer touches. You can use paint brushes of different sizes to paint the entire surface as well. Before dipping into the paint bucket, wet your brushes thoroughly with water if using a water based paint or paint thinner if using an oil based one. Use uniform vertical strokes followed by horizontal ones. Let the first coat completely dry before applying the next one.

Clean and sweep

Carefully remove adhesive tapes, drop cloths or plastic sheets. If you see paint has spilled through and stained your floor, immediately use an oil based cleanser to remove any lasting impressions.  

Meticulously clean up the brushes and rollers before they are dry. Soak it in turpentine or linseed oil before removing every trace of the stain. Let it completely dry. Store away in packages for future use.

Finish off in style

For best results slightly vary the texture between the walls and ceiling. For examples, if the walls are painted in matte give the ceiling a glossier look. If needs be, paint or varnish the window and door frames as well. 

Remember, a bare room, however painstakingly painted in gleaming white, is not going to enhance the ambiance. Select furniture according to your tastes. Use appropriate furnishings and accessories to glamourise the interior, and brighten up the room using chic lighting fixtures. Finally, cherish the fine results of your hard work. 

Check out the following posts for more ideas on how to give your rooms a chic appearance!

Must have interior trends of 2016.

Tips to decorate you walls with frames and boards.

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