Transforming A 3-Bedroom Apartment: A Step-By-Step Painting Guide

Painting a 3-bedroom apartment is a project that can be done by either hiring a professional painter or doing it yourself. The cost of painting an apartment varies depending on location, size, and other factors. On average, apartment painting costs between $2,461 and $3,983, with larger apartments or those with high ceilings and staircases costing more. In some cases, the cost can be as high as $6,797. The size of the apartment is a significant factor in determining the price, as bigger apartments require more paint and labour.

If you decide to hire a professional painter, you can expect to pay between $2.60 and $3.90 per square foot. However, if you choose to paint the apartment yourself, it can be a time-consuming and labour-intensive process, especially if you have a lot of furniture to move. It is important to consider the time and effort required for tasks like prepping walls, moving furniture, and cleaning up waste.

Overall, whether you hire a professional or take the DIY approach, giving your 3-bedroom apartment a fresh coat of paint can be a great way to update and elevate your space.

Cost of hiring a professional painter vs. doing it yourself

Painting a 3-bedroom apartment can be a daunting task, and you may be wondering whether to hire a professional painter or do it yourself. Let's explore the costs involved in both options to help you make an informed decision.

Hiring a Professional Painter:

The cost of hiring a professional painter varies depending on several factors, including the size of the apartment, the location, and the painter's experience level. On average, hiring a professional painter for a 3-bedroom apartment can range from $2,461 to $3,983. This price range takes into account the cost of painting the interior walls, with larger apartments or those with high ceilings potentially costing more.

Professional painters typically charge by the square foot, and you can expect to pay between $2.60 and $6 per square foot for their services. If you prefer, some painters may also provide a flat rate for the entire project. For a 3-bedroom apartment, this could be in the range of $700 to $1,300, depending on the size of the rooms and the scope of work involved.

The benefits of hiring a professional painter include saving time, ensuring quality work, and having access to the right tools and equipment. They will also handle the necessary preparations, such as wall repairs and priming, and will clean up after the job is completed.

Doing it Yourself:

If you choose to paint your 3-bedroom apartment yourself, you will need to consider the cost of materials and the value of your time. Painting yourself can be a more affordable option, but it will require a significant time investment and may not yield the same quality results as a professional.

The cost of paint varies depending on the brand and type, but you can expect to pay between $15 and $60 per gallon for interior paint. A 3-bedroom apartment will likely require multiple gallons of paint, depending on the coverage area and the number of coats needed. Additionally, you will need to budget for other supplies such as brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and tape, which can cost around $50 to $200.

While doing it yourself can save you money, it's important to consider the time and effort involved. Painting a 3-bedroom apartment can be a time-consuming task, especially if you have other commitments or limited free time.

In conclusion, the decision to hire a professional painter or do it yourself depends on your budget, time constraints, and desired quality of the finished product. Hiring a professional will likely result in a higher-quality paint job and save you time, but it will come at a higher cost. On the other hand, painting yourself can be more affordable, but it requires a greater time investment and may not yield the same professional results.

Choosing the right paint colour for your apartment

Understand Colour Psychology

Colour has a profound impact on our emotions and behaviour. Warm colours like red, orange, and yellow are energizing and stimulating, while cool colours like blue, green, and purple are often perceived as calming and restful. Consider the purpose of each room and choose colours that reflect and enhance its function. For social spaces like dining rooms and kitchens, warm colours can stimulate appetite and conversation. For private spaces like bedrooms and home offices, cooler hues can promote relaxation and rest.

Create a Cohesive Colour Scheme

A well-planned colour scheme helps your apartment feel unified and thoughtfully designed. The 60-30-10 rule is a classic interior design principle that creates balanced spaces. According to this rule, 60% of a room should be a dominant colour, 30% a secondary colour, and 10% an accent colour. This typically translates to walls being the dominant colour, upholstery or flooring as the secondary colour, and accessories or artwork providing the accent colour.

Select Colours for Specific Rooms

Bedrooms

Bedrooms should promote relaxation and rest. Soft, cool colours like pale blues, lavenders, and greens can be soothing and conducive to sleep. If you prefer warmer tones, consider muted versions of colours like terracotta or pale yellow. Darker colours can also make a large bedroom feel cozier.

Kitchens and Dining Rooms

Kitchens and dining rooms benefit from colours that stimulate appetite and conversation. Warm colours like reds, oranges, and yellows are effective but should be used sparingly as accents against a neutral backdrop to avoid being overwhelming. Soft greens or blues can create a fresh and clean feel.

Living Rooms

Living rooms, as the heart of the home, should use earthy tones like warm browns, soft greens, or muted oranges to create a welcoming atmosphere. An accent wall in a bolder hue can add visual interest without overwhelming the space.

Consider Lighting

The amount and quality of light in a room significantly impact how colours appear. Warmer whites or light colours can brighten rooms with limited natural light, while rooms with abundant natural light offer more flexibility to experiment with both light and dark shades.

Use White Strategically

White offers versatility and brightness. It is an excellent choice for ceilings to reflect light and make a room feel more spacious. White is also ideal for trim and mouldings, creating a clean and classic look that complements various wall colours. However, in larger rooms or those with plenty of natural light, white walls can sometimes feel stark or cold, so consider balancing them with other elements.

Enhance Architectural Features

Use colour to highlight mouldings, mantels, built-in bookcases, and other decorative elements. Painting these features one shade lighter or darker than the primary wall colour will bring out the detail. For a more dramatic effect, try a contrasting colour. White trim against coloured walls is a classic choice.

Create Accent Walls

An accent wall can add a focal point to a room, especially in spaces without architectural interest. Choose one wall and paint it in a bolder or contrasting colour. This technique is effective in bedrooms, living rooms, or home offices.

Final Tips

• Take your time and consider how colours will look in your specific space under different lighting conditions.
• Test paint colours in the space using sample pots and poster boards to get a true idea of how the colour will appear.
• Don't forget about primer—it's essential for ensuring the new paint colour is accurate and not influenced by the previous wall colour.
• Be mindful of current design trends, such as the shift back to blues and the preference for cleanliness and purity, often associated with white, due to the pandemic.

Preparing the walls for painting

Before you start painting the walls of your 3-bedroom apartment, there are several steps you should take to ensure the best results. Firstly, remove all furniture and fixtures from the room, including lights, blinds, HVAC registers, and outlet covers. If there is any furniture that is too bulky to move, push it to the centre of the room and cover it with a drop cloth or lightweight plastic sheeting. Cover the floors with drop cloths to protect them from paint drips and splatters.

Next, carefully inspect the walls for any cracks, holes, dents, or other imperfections. Use a putty knife and lightweight spackling compound to fill and repair any holes and cover imperfections. Remove any excess spackling with the putty knife and allow it to dry following the manufacturer's instructions before painting. Use fine sandpaper or a sanding sponge to smooth the repaired areas, ensuring they are flush with the surface. Some surfaces may require specific sandpaper, so be sure to read the manufacturer's guidelines before sanding.

After sanding, wipe the surfaces clean with a damp towel or sponge and let them dry thoroughly. This step is crucial, as applying primer or paint to walls that are still damp can cause issues such as blistering. If there is any mildew on the walls, address this before painting. You can clean mildew with a sponge and a solution of water and bleach. Apply the solution, let it sit for a few minutes, scrub with a soft brush, and then rinse with clean water. Be sure to wear gloves and goggles and allow sufficient time for the wall to dry.

Once the walls are clean and dry, you may need to sand them, especially if there are any rough spots, whether previously painted or not. Use sandpaper or a sanding block to dull any uneven surfaces, then wipe away the dust with a damp cloth and let the walls dry completely. Smoothing the walls before painting is particularly important if they have been previously painted with a gloss or high-gloss paint. For previously painted water-based paint, use fine-grit sandpaper, and for oil-based paint, use medium-grit sandpaper (100- to 150-grit).

Finally, apply a primer to the walls. Primer will help to disguise imperfections, create a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to, and ensure a uniform finish. It is especially important if your walls are porous or have surface stains.

How long it will take to paint the apartment

Painting a 3-bedroom apartment can be a time-consuming process, depending on various factors. On average, it takes around 5 to 7 hours to paint a standard 12x12 room. This includes time spent on preparation, painting, and clean-up. Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Preparation: 1-2 hours

Preparation is crucial and can take up a significant amount of time. This includes moving furniture away from the walls, covering the floor and furniture with drop cloths or canvas to protect them from paint spills, and removing fixtures, light switch covers, outlet covers, and any items hanging on the walls. Taping the edges, trim, baseboards, door frames, windows, and spots where the ceiling meets the walls is also essential. Don't forget to fill any holes, dents, or dings in the walls with spackle or caulk.

Outlining/Cutting In: 1-3 hours

Before you start rolling paint onto the walls, you need to outline the areas that the roller won't reach effectively. This includes corners, edges, and areas near sidings. This step can take 1 to 3 hours, depending on your experience and the complexity of the job. Using painter's tape can help create straight lines and save time.

Painting: 2-3 hours

The actual painting process for a standard 12x12 room can take around 2 to 3 hours. Using a large roller (14"-18") and an extension rod can speed up the process and help cover more surface area with each stroke. It's recommended to apply multiple coats of paint for an even finish, allowing sufficient drying time between coats (typically 4-6 hours).

Clean-up: 30 minutes to 1 hour

The clean-up process involves removing painter's tape, cleaning up tarps and ground coverings, and sealing and storing paint cans. It's best to wait about 48 hours for the paint to dry completely before putting back any furniture or hanging items on the walls.

Additional Factors:

The time it takes to paint a 3-bedroom apartment can vary depending on several other factors:

• Size of the apartment: Larger apartments will naturally take more time to paint than smaller ones.
• Number of rooms being painted: Painting multiple rooms will increase the overall time required.
• Experience of the painter: Experienced painters or professionals will usually complete the job faster than amateurs.
• Number of coats: Applying multiple coats of paint, including primer, will extend the project duration.
• Drying time: The climate, temperature, and humidity can affect the drying time of the paint, which can range from a couple of hours to a full day or more.
• Complexity of the job: The presence of intricate details, mouldings, or high ceilings can add to the time required.

Protecting your furniture from paint splatters

Painting a 3-bedroom apartment can be a fun project, but it's important to take the necessary precautions to protect your furniture from paint splatters. Here are some detailed tips to help you achieve that:

Choose the Right Protective Covers

Selecting suitable protective covers is crucial for safeguarding your furniture. Opt for high-quality, thick plastic sheets or drop cloths that are specifically designed for painting projects. These covers should be large enough to fully wrap your furniture, so measure the dimensions of the pieces and add some extra allowance on each side. This ensures that no part of the furniture is left exposed. Remember that quality covers can be cleaned and reused, so they are worth the investment.

Relocate Your Furniture

If possible, it's best to remove the furniture from the room entirely. This not only ensures the safety of your furniture but also gives you more space to work efficiently. When moving furniture, be careful not to scratch the floor or damage the pieces themselves. If an item is too heavy to move alone, don't hesitate to ask for help.

Utilize Painter's Tape

Painter's tape is a versatile tool that can be used in several ways to protect your furniture. Firstly, you can use it to secure the protective covers in place by applying it along the edges of the covers and wrapping it around. This ensures that the covers don't slip off during the painting process. Secondly, use painter's tape to create clear boundaries around areas that should not be painted. This serves as a visual reminder to exercise caution when painting near those areas. Additionally, the tape can be used to seal any gaps where two covers meet, providing an extra layer of protection. Lastly, for furniture pieces that cannot be moved or covered completely, use the tape to protect small details like handles, knobs, or decorative elements. Just remember to press the tape firmly to create a seal and remove it carefully after the paint is mostly dry.

Opt for Water-Based Paint

While this may not always be feasible depending on your specific needs, water-based paints are generally easier to clean up, especially when they are still wet. Oil-based paints, on the other hand, often provide a more durable and richer finish. Weigh your priorities and choose the paint type accordingly, but always take the necessary precautions to protect your furniture regardless of the paint you choose.

Keep a Close Eye on the Paint

Managing your paint properly is crucial to preventing spills and accidents. Always keep a watchful eye on your paint, whether you're using a roller or a brush. Place the paint on a stable, flat surface, and consider using painter's buckets or paint trays when carrying it around the room. These specialized tools are designed to minimize the risk of spillage.

Frequently asked questions