As the seasons change, it’s the perfect time to refresh your home, especially with cozy fall colors! Fall offers ideal painting conditions with moderate temperatures and lower humidity that help paint cure properly. Whether you’ve recently moved into one of our beautiful homes for sale in Central PA, or you’re looking to update your space for the cooler months ahead, painting your living room walls is an easy, affordable upgrade that can typically be completed over a weekend.
Here’s a step-by-step guide from Burkentine Builders to help you transform your space just in time for fall:
Choose a Fall-Inspired Color
Warm tones like deep greens, soft browns, rich oranges, or cozy burgundies add seasonal comfort and create inviting spaces perfect for holiday entertaining. Be sure to test samples on your walls to see how they look in both natural and artificial light. Colors can appear dramatically different throughout the day.
Gather Your Supplies
You’ll need painter’s tape, canvas drop cloths, a roller and tray, an angled brush, high-quality paint, primer (if needed), spackling compound, sandpaper, and cleaning supplies. Investing in quality supplies makes a noticeable difference in your final results.
Prep the Room
Move furniture to the center of the room and cover with plastic sheeting. Protect floors with drop cloths and tape off trim, outlets, and switches to keep lines clean and neat. Remove wall hangings and outlet covers for easier access.
Clean and Repair Walls
Wipe down walls with a mild soap solution to remove dust, dirt, and summer grime. Fill in holes or cracks with spackling compound, then sand them smooth once dry for the best results. This step is crucial for achieving a professional-looking finish.
Prime and Paint
Priming is especially helpful when covering dark colors, painting fresh drywall, or making dramatic color changes. It helps your new fall color go on evenly and ensures true color representation. This step can save you paint and time in the long run.
Begin painting by cutting in around edges, corners, and trim with an angled brush. Afterwards, roll paint in a “W” pattern across larger wall sections for even coverage. Work in manageable sections and maintain a wet edge to avoid lap marks. Let the first coat dry completely (2-4 hours) before adding a second coat for optimal color depth and durability.
Final Thoughts
A fresh coat of paint is a wonderful way to welcome the fall season into your home and prepare for cozy months of indoor entertaining. Burkentine Builders, Inc. has built houses for over 30 years and have the expertise and skill to create high-quality new homes in the best locations. We’re proud to offer beautiful homes for sale in Central PA, and we love helping homeowners make them uniquely their own, one project at a time.