Miami Courant

First-time DIY painters face a few unknown challenges when painting a room for the first time. According to family handyman, some of the biggest mistakes first-timers make involve picking up the right paintbrush or choosing the correct paint for the project.

"We all want to jump in right into the painting fun, because we’re so excited to see the beautiful color on the walls," Ace Hardware Paint Expert Annie Hunter said. "If you are just about to tackle your next painting project or you are thinking about starting one, here are three common painting mistakes you should avoid."

Mistake to Avoid #1: Not testing colors against natural and artificial lighting. 

"The most common reason for colors not appearing the way you expected is the varying light conditions, which include artificial and natural light," Hunter said. "This can play a bigger role in a paint color’s appearance than you might have anticipated. My advice is to try the color first by spending a little bit of money on a paint color sample. These come in small, 8-ounce containers and provide just enough paint to give you a good feel for the color in your space. After applying it to the wall in a few areas, make sure to look at the color in different lighting conditions, which have a major impact on the paint color’s appearance at different times of the day.

"Plus, Ace has an Everyday Color Sample program, where you can purchase a paintable color sample and receive a coupon for $5 off your gallon purchase. See your local store for details."

Mistake to Avoid #2: Applying too much paint on your brush or roller.

"This can cause drips, runs, streaks or other unwanted textures," Hunter said. "For paintbrushes, make sure you dip no more than 1 to 1½ inches of the brush into the paint, and before applying to the wall, offload any excess into the paint bucket. For rollers, fill the tray only a half-inch deep with paint and after dipping the roller, use the textured roll-off area to remove any excess paint before moving to the wall."

Mistake to Avoid #3: Even if trying to be cost efficient, do not go cheap on paintbrushes or rollers. 

"When you use a low-quality roller or brush, roller lint or brush bristles can end up on your wall, leading to an uneven paint job," Hunter said. "If you can, always choose high-quality painting tools for the best results."

According to Hunter, another important aspect to keep in mind for getting optimal results is to not skip over wall preparation before you begin painting.  

"Spending time prepping the space will give you much better results and help you avoid problems along the way," Hunter said. "It’s important to make any necessary repairs with spackle, a putty knife and sanding sponge, then wipe down and clean your walls and trim, tape off woodwork and trim (I love Frog Tape because it makes a strong seal and comes off clean), use high-quality brushes and roller covers (again, trust me, spending a few extra bucks will make a difference on how the paint applies and your end result), and using a primer or a paint and primer in one."

Expert Annie's Suggested Paint Brands 

Clark+Kensington's Paint+Primer In One is great for first-time DIYers due to its coverage and durability, Hunter said. 

"I also really like Clark+Kensington for the paint-plus-primer in one feature, and it applies beautifully with great coverage," she said. "This paint is known for beautiful color, high durability and a smooth finish, all at a great value."

Benjamin Moore paints are also great for first-time room painters, as its Gennex Color Technology means paints are more durable and extremely fade-resistant.

Hunter said that Magnolia Home paints are also a wonderful choice for first-time DIYers because they are durable and the color sections allow guesswork to be taken out. 

"Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines makes color selection easy with 150 timeless colors, hand-selected by Joanna Gaines to help infuse your style and personality into your home," Hunter said. "Any color in this beautiful palette is a great choice and they all coordinate with one another, which takes the guesswork out of choosing color. Magnolia Home paint is crafted with KILZ for durability and coverage that will stand the test of time in your favorite interior spaces."

"At Ace, you cannot only find the right paint for your project and your budget, but you’ll also find all of the tools and accessories needed to make your project a success," Hunter said. "Our red-vested associates will make sure you get everything you need to paint in one trip – guaranteed, with our Extra Mile Promise."

Looking for great ways to use that leftover paint? Annie Hunter's Leftovers with Annie page offers tons of ideas for DIY decorations, painting looks and so much more. For more tips, expert know-how or to find paint inspirations, visit Ace Hardware's Tips page.

About Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with more than 5,600 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 70 countries. 

Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; Colon, Panama; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and is known as "the place with the helpful hardware folks." For more information, visit AceHardware.com or Newsroom.AceHardware.com.