5 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid When Painting Your Home

Thinking about freshening up your home with a new coat of paint? Great idea! A fresh, neutral colour can make your space feel bigger, brighter, and ready for buyers to fall in love.

But before you grab that paint roller and go wild, let’s talk about the 5 biggest painting mistakes that could turn your “simple weekend project” into a frustrating mess. Avoid these, and you’ll be one step closer to a flawless, professional-looking finish!

1. Skipping the Prep Work

Look, I get it—you just want to start painting already! But rushing in without proper prep is a guaranteed way to end up with streaks, peeling, and regret.

✅ Before you dip that brush:
✔️ Clean your walls (dust & grease mess with paint adhesion!).
✔️ Fill in holes and cracks.
✔️ Sand rough spots for a smooth finish.
✔️ Use painter’s tape for clean edges (trust me, it’s worth it).

💡 Pro Tip: Drop cloths are your best friend! Unless you love scrubbing dried paint off floors and furniture.

2. Choosing the Wrong Paint Colour

That deep navy blue looked so good in the store… but now your bedroom feels like a cave. 😬

Lighting, room size, and existing décor all affect how a colour looks. What seems perfect on a tiny sample card can look totally different once it’s on the walls.

✅ How to get it right:
✔️ Pick a few options and test swatches on your walls.
✔️ Check them at different times of day (natural vs. artificial light makes a huge difference!).
✔️ Stick with neutral, buyer-friendly shades if you’re selling soon.

💡 Pro Tip: A fresh, light greige (grey + beige) is a total crowd-pleaser for resale!

3. Using Cheap Paint & Supplies

Bargain-bin paint and dollar-store brushes might save a few bucks now, but they’ll cost you in time and frustration later.

✅ Why quality matters:
✔️ Cheap paint = more coats needed = more work.
✔️ Low-quality brushes leave streaks and bristles behind.
✔️ High-quality rollers = smoother, faster application.

💡 Pro Tip: Buy the best supplies you can afford—your walls (and sanity) will thank you!

4. Ignoring Primer (When You Really Need It)

Primer is like that one friend who always helps you avoid bad decisions. It smooths out rough spots, covers dark colours, and helps paint stick properly.

✅ When you NEED primer:
✔️ Painting over a dark or bold colour.
✔️ Painting on bare drywall or patched areas.
✔️ Switching from oil-based to water-based paint.

💡 Pro Tip: Using a paint + primer combo? That’s fine for small colour changes, but for major transformations, real primer is the way to go!

5. Rushing the Job

We all want instant results, but rushing through painting leads to drips, streaks, and a messy finish.

✅ Slow down and do it right:
✔️ Wait 2–4 hours between coats (or longer, depending on the paint).
✔️ Remove painter’s tape at the right time—too soon, and it smudges; too late, and it peels.
✔️ Let paint fully cure before moving furniture back.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re selling soon, a clean, professional paint job can make your home feel move-in ready—which means happier buyers and better offers!

A Fresh Coat of Paint = A Fresh Start!

Painting your home is one of the easiest, most affordable upgrades you can make before selling—just avoid these rookie mistakes, and you’ll be golden!

Thinking about selling and need advice on what colours buyers love? Let’s chat! I can help you prep your home for a top-dollar sale.