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If you don’t know your way around a paintbrush, giving your home a much-needed spruce-up can be daunting. But, it’s easier than you might think!The beauty of paint and decoration is that you have the chance to put your own stamp on a space, creating a look that’s entirely your own.Ready to bring your vision to life? We’re here to lend a helping hand by letting you in on our secrets. Soon, you’ll be mastering the basics in no time at all. Here are our decorating tips for beginners.   Pre-Painting Job Advice Don’t just start throwing paint on the walls at random. A little preparation and planning will help you achieve the best possible results.Unsure where to begin? Here’s a step-by-step guide… Clear the Room Whether it’s the living room or a bedroom you’re painting, you’ll want an empty space. Items such as the coffee table will only get in your way, or get splattered in paint.We recommend moving everything into a different room entirely. But, if this isn’t possible, try moving it all into the middle - as far away from the walls as possible. Check the Walls There’s no point trying to paint over walls with holes or large cracks. Once you’ve stripped whatever paint was there before, ensure you fix any damage before going further. Do Some Tests First Always do patch tests. You don’t want to have your heart set on a paint colour, only to find you don’t actually like it, or it doesn’t go with the room.Particularly if you’re new to interior design, this is a must! Choose Your Colour Wisely When choosing the colour, play close attention to the size and lighting of the room. Certain colours can make spaces feel smaller than they area.Narrow down your selection and test them in the light, and on paper.Remember, the colour should be different depending on what room you’re painting. Here’s a rough guide to help you decide: Bedrooms - keep tones soft and neutral Kids’ bedrooms - try to avoid colour clashing, don’t go too bold Kitchens - stick to classics, such as white or cream Formal rooms - neutral blues or greens Living rooms - neutral with pops of bold colours Protect Your Space Some things can’t always be removed, such as light switches and door frames. So, don’t forget to give them some protection from excess paint or drips.Masking tape is a good option, particularly for the skirting boards. Alternatively, you could use plastic bags or drop cloths. Have Everything to Hand Once you’ve starting painting the room, you don’t want to have to keep popping out for supplies every few minutes. So, before you begin, make sure you’ve collected everything you need so you have it to hand when you need it.From brushes to the paint roller, ensure you’ve got it all covered. This is where a tool box will come in handy!   House Painting Tips & Tricks Ready to get the job done? These handy hints and wall painting techniques will get you started… Mix paints into a big bucket - Even when using the same types of paint all over the walls, there can still be inconsistencies in colour. To avoid this, mix it all together into one Avoid lap marks - Lap marks are stripes caused by uneven layers of paint. To avoid them, create a wet edge. This makes sure each stroke overlaps with the last one  Roll the full height of the wall Don’t let the roller become dry Paint edges and areas around windows or doors first Use primer to remove inconsistencies Feather paint if wet edge isn’t possible Cut the masking tape loose once the paint is dry Sand trim between coats Furnishing Advice Decorating doesn’t stop with painting the walls! Here are some helping hints for choosing and arranging your furniture: Mix old and new decor Create a focal point Be clever with space Make use of natural light Don’t have too many empty walls Use a measuring tape at all times! Keep things personal e.g. photos and paintings Choose the right bulbs Don’t Be Afraid of DIY At Geepas, we’re here to help you make a house a home. From power tools to hand tools, we’ve got everything you need to keep your spaces in their best condition. It doesn’t all have to be about transforming a space. Sometimes, a few small changes can make all the difference. You’d be surprised at how much easier that can be with the right products at your disposal!Whether you’ve just moved in or your home simply needs a facelift, we can help. Browse our full range of DIY essentials for more.