Help! two story family room needs painting

suzie2003

12 years ago

I need to have my common areas painted. My problem is hiring a contractor is not an option. Any suggestion on tools that would make painting a two story family room and foyer a DIY job? TIA

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Comments (7)

graywings123
12 years ago
Off the top of my head:
paint
extension ladder
bucket
bucket screen
roller and roller cover
extension pole for roller
brush
drop cloth
painters tape
PRO
Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting
12 years ago
painters tape???

somebody to hold the bottom of the ladder

tool for opening paint can
rags
music
some basic knowledge of painting PROPERLY
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I'd suggest that you do NOT want to build rooms here without an architect involved. But even there you might consider what it would do to the resale value of the house. Especially since you love the way it looks as is. Why not deal with the real problem? If there is noise, then solve that problem instead. Add more noise absorbing materials in the room. If the floor is wood, then add area carpets, maybe oriental rugs. Get some wall hangings. I'm quite confident that there are experts in noise abatement to be found. Find a contractor who deals with these problems. For example, there are sound deadening materials that might be applied/attached to the ceiling. This will cut the sound without hurting anything. If you cannot find a contractor, the internet is a great place to start. Check out the link I've attached as a start. And, these ideas will be HUGELY less expensive than the large cost of building renovations that you will one day regret when you try to sell a house that nobody wants. Worse, structural problems that come from a poorly implemented renovation in a structure that was never designed for the extra loads in strange places. (This happens even in new construction. An engineer friend once figured out that the way their house had been built, even a moderate snow load on the roof would be enough to collapse the roof. They got it fixed.) John Here is a link that might be useful: Noise abatement
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Your space is plenty big -- and it could easily accommodate two sofas and two chairs [Modern Living Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2105) by Miami Interior Designer Jorge Castillo Design Inc. By placing the chairs directly opposite the fireplace, it gives the room a "lighter" feel upon viewing from the hallway, both upstairs and down. Unlike the photo, I would place a small table in between the two chairs to space them apart. For the sectional option, this would be a good set up: (long part of sectional placed in front of your windows -- two chairs opposite, in front of archways; you can consider swivel chairs for this placement) [Contemporary Living Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by Seattle Architect knowles ps ***Whatever way you go - please consider moving your furniture out from the wall. You would be surprised by the sense of space when you do this. It also creates a great conversation area.
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You desperately need some layering. I'd add another smaller area rug with some color and pattern on top of the carpet in the conversation area (sofa, coffee table) and add a smaller, swivel arm chair at an angle facing the sofa. (If we're looking at the top photo, the chair should be diagonally across from the top right hand corner of the coffee table.) You also need some large-scale art or multiple framed family photos in a gallery wall next to the TV--that wall is huge and needs to be anchored. And I'd also include some fixed drapery panels that coordinate with the rug. Add some pretty throw pillows to the sofa, too. As a side note, if it were me, I would have oriented the conversation area around the fireplace with the TV wall mounted above the FP. Then you could put a long row of narrow bookshelves along the current TV wall to warm things up.
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graywings123
12 years ago
I use painter's tape on top of the baseboard and sometimes around windows. Remember, I'm an amateur, and the question is about a DIY job.
fnmroberts
12 years ago
Hope my response is not too late to be useful. Before I begin though, a few questions.

Are you painting the ceiling too?
How high - 17' for more?
Flat or cathedral?

Graywings' has provided a very helpful list. To it, I suggest a few additional items:
A wide blade knive to scrape all the "pimples" from the existing surface. This will minimize the potential for runs in the new paint.
A 5 in 1 painters tool to remove the compound from nail pops. Also a screwdriver and/or punch and hammer to tighten the screws or reset any nails.
A small container of compound to refill the nail pops.
Some drywall tape should it be necessary to replace any that has "popped".
Sandpaper to feather any fill areas into the wall surface.
A quality sponge to wipe all surfaces dust-free before painting.
Possibly caulk and a caulking gun. Use paintable caulk!

Visit your local rental agent for tools to assist. They have a variety of items for DIY'ers. Personally I don't like resting an extension ladder against my walls so a Little Giant type ladder (basically an adjustable 2-sided step ladder) will enable you to reach high and adjust to work on stairs too. Or, rent scaffolding - especially useful for cutting-in at the ceiling. Be Safe!

TIME! It took me a week to redecorate our entry. The final look will only be as good as the preparation beneath. My painting sequence (following preparation) is ceiling, then trim, then walls. After painting the trim and allowing a day or more for curing, I apply the delicate blue tape to create the clean edge for the wall color on the top edge of baseboard and against the door/window trim. Use an almost dry brush and paint against the tape for the first coat to dry and seal the tape edge and prevent bleeding underneath.

Hope this helps. Good luck.
PRO
Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting
12 years ago
I use painter's tape on top of the baseboard and sometimes around windows. Remember, I'm an amateur, and the question is about a DIY job.

I do too, at times, I was just pulling you're chain :-)
scarlett2001
12 years ago
Don't forget the most important part of any paint job- cleaning and prepping the surface.
kitchendetective
12 years ago
I agree: Try to rent a scaffold. It really is the safer way to go with a two-story room.

Help! two story family room needs painting

Comments (7)

graywings123

Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting

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