If you are bewildered by the vast array of paint and wallpaper available nowadays, this is where a professional's experience is invaluable. He or she can offer you advice on a whole host of subjects, from stencils to steamers, and woodchip to patterned effect.
Once you've contacted your chosen painter and decorator, together you can arrange a convenient time to meet at your home and discuss the work needed in detail.
Shiny and New - Nothing makes a home look newer faster than a fresh coat of paint. Neutral colors such as beige, white, off-white and gray have a broad appeal to prospective buyers. These colors suggest newness and cleanliness. It's a good idea to stick to neutrals when making any improvements prior to selling or renting out a property.
Rise and Shine - Feel warm and happy when you wake with cheery periwinkle, a blue with a twinge of purple. Combine this with a warm tone or two such as yellow, pink or both to avoid the colour looking cool. Staying with blue create a dynamic colour scheme infused with vibrance by bringing in orange. Blue and Orange are opposite each other on the colour wheel, which makes them complimentary colours. Add in dark furniture and create an elegant yet modern look to the bedroom.
A light touch - When it comes to colour, sometimes less is more. A palette of soft grays and creams creates a soothing effect put in touches of pattern to provide definition and soften any formal symmetry of the room. Subtle notes of colour can also be added - by cushions, rugs etc - that can be changed in a moment to suit your mood.
Bring the outdoors in - By keeping to a neutral colour scheme and combine that with natural textures such as rattan, leather, wool etc creates a serene scene of organic shapes and materials offering a lightness and calmness to any room.
Clean and Classy - Duck Egg, brown and beige create a sophisticated palette in a room with white ceiling and white high glossed woodwork. Combine with a light wooden floor to keep it feeling airy in even the smallest of spaces.
Fun and Funky - Pair subtle shades with pops of stronger colour for a look that's fun but not overpowering. Continue the painted effect with a rug or storage baskets and all the elements will work together to create a co ordinated, yet playful look.
Perfect Combination - Utilising white and sandy colours and infusing with a splash of colour such as green, red, or blue adds subtle personality to any room and can be then kept up to date with contemporary florals and geometric motifs
Happy Hues - In a lounge or bedroom use throws, cushions, pillows to introduce the colour scheme via a pattern and add bold blocks of colour with your curtains, lampshades etc and these will act as a stylish anecdote for balancing the mix of patterns.
Pastel Colours - Although singular in hue, a monochromatic colour palette can have multiple dimensions. Using just one colour in a room creates a sleek, sophisticated look, but ensuring the space includes a few variations on the featured hue boosts character.
Wary of colour commitment - Keep the neutral frame to the room with plain walls and wood accents and use easily changeable artwork as a smart choice to pop some colour into the room.
Natures Hue - Green in almost every shade, is tied to nature and gives off a fresh vibe. Spring green mixes with sky blues and earthy browns to create a sophisticated, yet casual feel. The narure inspired look can be carried through in motifs, wall art, stencils, botanical print curtains, and other items that bring the outdoors in, such as potted plants.
Painting is a quick and easy way to transform or refresh a room and remains the most popular option when decorating.
After years of being rejected as a decor faux pas, wallpaper is back with a vengeance and, like paint, there is an endless selection to choose from, a vailable in every colour and pattern imaginable.
Now you have a selection of samples, you are ready for the painter and decorator's visit. It is during this visit that you will be given a quotation or written estimate for the work required, outlining exactly what will be done and what you will be charged for.
What specifications will be made in the estimate?
Decorating costs vary dramatically between jobs. Usually, the most expensive element is the labour but other factors influence the price, including the size of the area to be decorated, the extent of the work needed and the quality of the products used.
You can expect a written estimate to include the following:
For small domestic jobs, for example painting a single room, painters and decorators will charge per job. Such a job can take a couple of days to complete and cost from £100 to £300. However, for a larger job you may be charged a daily rate, as sometimes the full extent of the work needed only becomes clear once preparation has begun. At this point a good painter and decorator would only carry out additional work after discussion with you the client.
Any good painter and decorator will supply the materials needed and will only buy tried and tested products, carrying a guarantee. Redecoration should not be a frequent event unless you the customer just wants to change your colour scheme, using quality materials can proves beneficial in the long term.
A further advantage of having materials bought on your behalf is that the painter and decorator will know exactly how much to purchase and where
If you supply your own materials or go against the advice of the painter and decorator he/she cannot be held accountable or responsible for any dissatisfaction or problems that arise regarding durability and finish.
The quality of the preparation has a direct impact on the quality of finish. All fittings and furnishing should be removed from the work area and stored elsewhere. If it is not possible to remove large pieces of furniture, then they should be emptied, placed in the centre of the room and covered with dustsheets. Most good decorators will assist with this.
The condition of the surface to be decorated will determine the nature of the preparation required, which can include washing, priming, stripping wallpaper, sanding, filling cracks or patching up plasterwork. Needless to say, all the above is likely to create dust. Most good decorators will clean up at the end of the day though cannot be expected to eradicate the dust completely.
You can cut decorating costs by doing some of the preparation yourself, such as removing wallpaper, washing walls or protecting the woodwork with protective covering. However, if extensive preparation is required, the painter and decorator may prefer to carry out this work personally.
Most painters and decorators will carry out additional jobs, such as fitting coving, putting up shelving, rehanging curtains or carrying out minor repairs to woodwork.
Only accept the quote if you fully agree with everything it incorporates. It is not usual to be asked for a deposit. Work should be paid for upon completion, provided you are satisfied.
No money should be paid upfront, unless it is to pay for materials purchased. However, you may be asked to pay in instalments for large jobs, lasting a number of weeks.
A good painter and decorator will also advise about pets during the works ie: small caged animals may need to be moved so as not to expose them to paint fumes, how long it will take to dry to avoid cat and dog hair attaching to the paintwork, when to close windows and doors so as to avoid them sticking shut or smudging the finish.
Once you are happy with the estimate, all that remains is to set a date for the decorating work to begin.
