The dream of every good owner is to bring his own apartment to perfect condition. At the same time, high-quality modern renovation, amazing design features and use latest technologies, the average citizen will probably not be able to afford it. In this situation, the owners are looking for low cost solutions using the cheapest Consumables, or even refusing to pay the technician, preferring to carry out the repairs themselves.

For a long time, painting remains the most economical type of wall repair, but if earlier such a solution was considered far from the best, today wide choose paints, as well as a competent approach to organizing the process, allow you to achieve a decent result for little money.

Peculiarities

Painting walls in an apartment is popular among owners, largely because they are able to carry out this procedure with their own hands. This does not require any special knowledge or skills - it is enough to have at least minimal experience in working with a brush (this should remain from your time at school) and follow the exact procedure for the result to be both aesthetically attractive and durable.

If paint is used quite rarely for decorating walls in residential premises, then in commercial premises it still remains very relevant. Properly selected dyes withstand exposure to water, high temperatures and steam much better than even good wallpaper, while the painted surface is no worse to clean than tiles, and costs much less. If necessary, repaint the walls for cosmetic repairs or updating the design is also quite simple - the procedure will take a maximum of a couple of days and, again, will not require outside help.

In general, painting walls is considered one of the cheapest solutions, should be considered whole line possible additional costs. First of all, it all depends on the readiness of the walls, because they must be smooth and clean, otherwise they will have to be pre-leveled and cleaned of any dirt, which can lead to an increase in costs even several times. In addition, for better adhesion of paint to the wall, it is advisable to use primer mixtures, ideally in several layers, which also increases the cost of the project.

A separate cost item is purchase. painting tools, unless, of course, you can’t find them for free. First of all, you will need brushes, ideally two: wide for painting large spaces and thin for drawing small parts and painting hard-to-reach places. If there are not so many of the latter, then Smooth surface the walls are large enough, it makes sense to purchase and paint roller, which will significantly speed up the process. It still needs to be chosen correctly depending on the type of wall surface: foam rubber for smooth surfaces, fur for rough surfaces. When purchasing a roller, you will definitely need a paint ditch - a special container with a raised bottom that allows paint surface the instrument is fully saturated with paint. If you need to provide a clear contour separating surfaces of one color from surfaces of another shade, you cannot do without a special plastic spatula or masking tape.

Finally, for high-quality mixing of the color mixture (especially if different colors were mixed), purchase a special mixer attachment for an electric drill.

This set of tools is typical, but not mandatory and not exhaustive. To simplify painting, a spray gun or even aerosol cans can be used to replace brushes and rollers. At small area indoors and using paint without mixing shades, in some cases they refuse to use a drill with a mixer, replacing it with any available tool such as a stick.

If we talk about the amount of paint needed to paint the walls in the house, then it must be carefully calculated in advance, because if there is a sudden shortage of material, the work will have to be interrupted, and it is also good if the pieces of walls painted with the additional mixture do not differ in shade. Such calculations are performed using a fairly simple formula, according to which you need to calculate the area of ​​​​all walls planned for painting. To do this, the height of each wall is multiplied by its width, and if there are several such walls, the areas of all walls are summed up. Although this area often includes window and door openings, you should not subtract them to ensure that there is enough paint. Manufacturers in the instructions on the cans usually indicate the typical consumption of their products per square meter– just multiply this figure by the area of ​​your walls, and also add 15% for insurance to get the amount of paint needed for painting in one layer. If multi-layer painting is planned, the required volume of material is multiplied by the number of layers.

Types of paint

To ensure a high-quality and durable result, you need to choose the right type of paint. Today, there are several types of paints for repair, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. All of them must be taken into account during the selection process.

Water-based paint

Water-based paints are well suited for painting rooms with average humidity, so they can be used for painting walls and interior doors in the residential part of the apartment. This substance adheres perfectly to most types of surfaces and “breathes,” allowing water vapor to pass through and, accordingly, preventing the development of fungus. You don't have to buy this type desired color– the consumer can independently add the necessary dyes to the colorless mass to obtain the desired shade with perfect accuracy, and most importantly, all this is very inexpensive. Another thing is that water emulsion is not suitable for rooms with high humidity, such as a kitchen or bathroom; it also does not hide wall unevenness, therefore it requires a perfectly prepared surface.

The choice in favor of this type of dye should not be made when renovating a nursery, as it is not resistant to mechanical damage.

Water-dispersion paint

Water-dispersion paints based on silicone are compatible with all types of surfaces and do not require careful preparation of the wall - the film formed during the drying process can hide imperfections and cracks up to 2 mm in size. The painted surface can withstand almost any test - it does not peel off from moisture, does not crack or crumble from impacts, and does not fade from sunlight. Silicone dyes can be used in any type of premises, but the only drawback that can scare off a potential buyer is the rather high cost.

Acrylic paint

Acrylic paint can be a relatively inexpensive substitute for silicone paint, but some advantages will be fewer - in particular, wall imperfections should no longer exceed 1 mm. Paint consumption will probably also increase slightly - it has slightly less coverage, so you will have to paint in several layers. Its variety is also textured decorative paint, which, when dried, forms a surface with a certain texture - its advantages and disadvantages are completely similar to ordinary acrylic composition.

Alkyd paint

Alkyd paints include mixtures based on drying oil or varnish; respectively, they are called oil or enamel, but the characteristics are very similar. They are most often purchased at a very low cost, so they are suitable for those who save as much as possible. At the same time, alkyd dyes are quite resistant to high humidity and temperature, as well as fading from sunlight, and can also add aesthetics to the renovation thanks to the ability to choose a glossy or matte finish. However, to dilute such paints, a solvent with a very pungent odor is used, which does not dissipate quickly, so this solution is still somehow appropriate in the bathroom, but is unlikely to be suitable for living rooms, in particular for a child’s room. In addition, a wall painted with alkyd paints loses its brightness after a certain period of time, and then may begin to peel.

Design

The preconception about paint as a boring material for wall decoration occurs because previously, when choosing such a solution, the walls were painted entirely, whereas modern ideas consist in combining different elements finishing.

This applies not only to colors, but also to varying textures - such a combination almost always looks original and interesting, allowing you to highlight the accent and visually increase or decrease the dimensions of the room.

For different rooms different aesthetic moves are used. In the bedroom, for example, it is permissible to paint even all the walls in the same tone, since here the emphasis can be shifted, say, to window textiles. At the same time, it is in living room you need to choose paints with some unusual effect, since there are no requirements for special endurance. Textured paints that imitate the same silk will help decorate it. Unusual practice recent years– paint walls using a gradient method, when shades smoothly transition from one to another. This decor looks stylish and modern.

For the bathroom and kitchen, the priority quality is not the aesthetic effect, but the ability to withstand difficult conditions - for example, constant humidity, high temperatures and more abundant use of caustic detergents than in other rooms. In a kitchen, the accent can be a piece of wall that experiences maximum load- the so-called apron, which is often laid out from tiles; then you should decide on the colors in such a way that they combine well and are either close shades of the same color or radically different.

Painting walls is also appropriate in particularly utility rooms– in particular, the pantry. Even the cheapest one is here Oil paint it turns out more practical than wallpaper, and the owners rarely come up with brilliant design ideas, choosing for this room one calm tone of colored paint and whitewashed ceilings.

The choice of color can affect the perception of the room as a whole.– small rooms are advised to be “enlarged” by choosing light wall decoration, and vice versa – inappropriately bulky rooms are “shrinked” with dark tones. Besides, everything modern designers It is advised to choose a specific color depending on which side the room’s windows face. If they face south, then the room is likely to experience an overabundance of sunlight and heat, and cool shades can make the environment a little more comfortable. On the contrary, in rooms with windows facing north, there is a feeling of eternal winter and coolness, which is not always comfortable, so it is more appropriate to use rich warm colors here.

When choosing a shade obtained by mixing different colors, it is necessary to knead the entire mixture at once, otherwise the slightest deviation in proportions can divide the room into different “zones”.

In addition, you should be careful when choosing the type of paints so that they do not fade in the sun. It may turn out that soon after the renovation the original plan will be violated, or, even worse, one side of the initially monochromatic room will suddenly become lighter than the other.

Work technology

The technology for painting walls in an apartment with your own hands does not contain any overly complex tasks, but it consists of many steps that are undesirable to skip in order to avoid deterioration of the final result.

First of all, it is recommended to remove old paint or any other finish, otherwise it is possible that the new coating will peel off along with pieces of the previous one, which has already worn out. How to properly remove the previous finish depends only on what type it is. In some cases, painting over the old layer is possible. For example, some types of paint or special wallpaper, but in this case you need to make sure that such a base still holds securely to the wall. Regardless of whether it was decided to leave the old repair or not, the surface must be cleaned of any foreign contaminants, as they do not contribute to adhesion.

In the case where the old coating was removed, the problem of unevenness of the walls most likely arises. It must be removed with the utmost care, since paint is not the best masking material. Alignment is carried out using cement-sand mortar or putty, and in the most severe cases– drywall. Installed plasterboard sheets solve a number of problems at once, including removing old coverings, cleaning and leveling the walls, however, such a step can significantly increase the cost of repairs and will certainly reduce the space somewhat. After the wall is cleaned and leveled, it should be carefully primed. Thanks to this, the paint will adhere better to the surface and its consumption will decrease. Not just any primer is suitable – you need to choose the type that matches the selected type of paint.

Only when the soil is completely dry can you begin painting directly.

Correct technique staining involves both horizontal and vertical strokes, since this is the only way to achieve uniformity of tone. Paint drips are unacceptable - they will remain clearly visible even after drying, which is unlikely to add aesthetics to the repair. To avoid leakage, carefully dilute the dye. You don't need to add too much water or solvent there. At the same time, some types of inexpensive paint are sold exclusively in white, then they will have to be tinted with a special color yourself - a color additive that allows you to perfectly accurately obtain the desired shade.

The staining stages must be followed in strict sequence. Today it is not customary to paint literally the entire surface of the walls with paint of the same color, so they should first be divided into sections delimited by masking tape. Painting involves applying just a few horizontal stripes, which are then shaded with a tool that is perfectly wrung out of the paint - a brush or roller. Finish shading with a top-to-bottom motion, just as excess paint would flow off.

When using paint different colors for figured painting, you can’t do without marking with special masking tape - then accidental “crawls” beyond what is necessary will remain on it, and not on the walls. You need to peel off such masking tape only after completely dry paint, otherwise contour violations cannot be avoided.

If there are pipes in the room that also need to be painted, you should start with them. The surface of the pipes and the space behind them are hard-to-reach places, however, such a painted interior detail can greatly interfere with painting the walls.

18.06.2017

Popular techniques for decorative wall painting

Decorative painting of walls is one of the popular types of finishing. It is very diverse, individual, and with its help you can create a unique, beautiful room that will have no analogues. Nowadays, this type of wall decoration, such as decorative painting, has become a strong competitor to ordinary wallpaper.

Dyes for wall decoration, as a type finishing material, is characterized by many advantages:

• The service life of painted coatings is several times higher than that of wallpaper or plaster.
• There are no joints on the painted surface, resulting in a perfect continuous picture.
• Huge assortment of different color range and effects.
• Moisture-resistant properties help make walls unique even in the kitchen and bathroom.
• In case of repainting, there is no need to clean the existing paint layer.
• The use of water-based paint when decorating guarantees an environmentally friendly surface that does not emit toxic substances and does not cause allergies, is ideal solution finishing a children's bedroom.
• Regardless of the base surface (be it concrete, drywall, plaster), it fits equally well on the wall.

Decorative painting of walls has only one requirement for the coating - it must be even.

Painting tools

Apart from the paint itself, painting walls in an apartment is done using the following tools:

• roller;
• spatulas (metal, plastic, toothed, rubber);
• sponges;
• hard brush;
• sandpaper;
• stencil (for the effect of a pattern on a painted wall).

Before you start decorating the walls, you need to decide what decorative effect I want to get it so as not to buy an extra tool. Although the price of rollers and brushes is low, you can use them more than once.

Preparing the walls

If decorating a wall with paint is being done for the first time, you need to prepare the surface for this. design solution. Preparing walls for primary painting is carried out in stages:

1. Cleaning the coating from old finishes.
2. Surface priming.
3. Inspection for flaws, which are repaired if necessary.
4. Uneven surfaces are puttied and sanded.
5. Re-priming.

Related article: Features of painting on wet plaster with water paints

After all the work done, the wall is ready for decorative painting.

In order for the paint to lay evenly on the walls and to avoid any defects on the coating, you must wait until the putty mixture and primer on the wall have completely dried.

Types of wall decoration with paint

Due to the fact that decorative paint is too expensive, an alternative is in demand among construction professionals - artistic painting of walls with ordinary cheap paint. There are several varieties to create a unique room using ordinary paints. Let's take a closer look at them.

This is the name for painting walls with decorative paint, which creates the effect of an old, shabby surface. To create such a masterpiece you need:

1. Cover the surface with the chosen color.
2. Apply acrylic painting to create a shade contrast.
3. Apply colored glaze to the surface in combination with the shade of the painted wall, smooth it evenly over the surface with a wide brush, and when all surfaces are covered with glaze, touch the uncured paint with the same brush.
4. A round paint brush should be poked in a chaotic manner over the surface, thus making the walls look antique.

There is only one drawback to this method of application: all irregularities and bulges become more noticeable.

Such decorative painting- a wonderful idea for decorating an office, it gives the impression that the walls are covered in leather. After preparing the surface, you need to start finishing:

1. We cover the walls with latex paint of our favorite color.
2. Making a suede tassel.
3. Mix the glaze with latex paint, slightly darker than the tone of the surface.
4. We cover a piece of the surface with the mixture, moisten a suede brush in water and squeeze it out, lightly touch it over the not-dried coating, making streaks and partially removing it.
5. We blot the existing noticeable lines with a piece of wet suede to give a natural leather finish.

Venetian plaster effect

One of the most beautiful and decorative ways painting walls. To recreate the Venetian effect, you need to perform next steps works:

1. Place in a wide container latex paint. Sprinkle a little pigment for paint on one side, carefully stir half with a stick so that the dark and light sides come out in the container.
2. We take a lighter paint on a spatula and apply it to the coating like regular plaster.
3. Dip a spatula in a dark color and cover a piece of the wall.
4. When light and dark spots appear on the wall, we begin to move the spatula along the wall in different sides to spread the colors evenly for a harmonious look.

Related article: Drying time for primers of different compositions

At the finishing stage, Venetian plaster is sanded with fine sandpaper and rubbed with a special wax composition.

To create the effect " Venetian plaster» It is necessary to use only a plastic spatula during the work.

Wrinkled skin effect

This effect is easy to create, but requires patience, because everything is done slowly, gradually.

1. Take a piece of paper and paint a piece of the wall according to its size.
2. We crumple the sheet, apply it to the surface, begin to smooth it, while creating the outline of a crumpled coating.

The entire wall is gradually processed in small pieces.

In the video: the effect of wrinkled (worn) leather on the wall.

For decorative painting of walls, you can use not only purchased tools, but also improvised means. A simple rag roller creates an interesting indoor effect that is suitable for children's rooms. In case of use this method The surface preparation may not be ideal, because this type of finish hides all the imperfections on the wall.

Roller painting steps:

1. Apply the first layer of paint and wait for it to dry.
2. Dilute another shade of the base color (slightly darker than the previous one).
3. We soak a rag in paint, twist it to make a tourniquet, and wrap it around the roller.
4. We paint from the very top of the wall to the bottom in different directions to obtain a textured pattern.

Types of paints

Decorating walls with special dyes for wall decoration is a variety of materials. They have many color tones and look beautiful. Kinds decorative paint differ in properties based on composition.

According to the components of the paint composition, they are divided into:

• acrylic;
• latex;
• water-based;
• alkyd and oil.

Acrylic paints

They are most often used for painting walls in an apartment. They are popular due to their price-quality ratio. They have the following properties:

• fireproof;
• make walls strong and durable;
• resistant to temperature changes;
• dry quickly, create protective film on the walls;
• adheres well to the coating;
• environmentally friendly;
• have an assortment of more than a thousand.

Latex paints

• no pungent odor;
• high degree of fire safety;
• the paint does not react to sudden changes in air temperature;
• possible dilution with plain water;
• dries quickly after application;
• abrasion resistance;
• environmental Safety.

In addition to positive qualities, there are also negative ones. The color range of this type of paint does not have bright colors, and under the resulting film are created good conditions for living biological organisms. Before using latex dye, the surface must be well primed.

Related article: DIY painting of furniture in Provence style

Water-based paints

They are in demand for painting rooms without creating an interior, their price is low, and they cope with the direct purpose of painting surfaces. The advantages of water emulsion include:

• low cost of material on the construction market;
• low consumption during application;
• harmless to health;
• have good permeability to moisture.

Among the disadvantages of water-based coating, experts highlight the speed of washability from the coating, as well as the need for a certain temperature in the room during painting.

Alkyd and oil paints

Alkyd and oil-based dyes are characterized by a rich color finish and a durable layer. Positive qualities These types of finishes are:

• rich beautiful colors;
• very durable layer when dry;
• long service life.

Negative qualities are also present: there is a very strong smell during painting, high consumption material, high cost, small range of colors.

Many people, in order to save money, want to paint the walls with their own hands, without the help of professionals. But how to apply decorative paint yourself? There are some recommendations from experts regarding the application of decorative paints to walls:

1. Before painting the surface, it must be primed to avoid mold.
2. Prepare the room by covering the floor with protective film.
3. Stir the paint well after opening it.
4. When using a brush, apply horizontal stripes, and then smear them vertically.
5. If you use a roller, you need to roll it over the tray with the material, then from top to bottom, then cover the walls with paint, pressing the tool well (for a uniform color).

In order for the coating to be evenly colored, you must first apply a layer with a brush, and then go over the painted surface with a roller. If desired, you can use a variety of decorative painting methods.

Decorative painting of walls with your own hands is a very real task. The main thing is to follow the instructions for use of the material along with recommendations for application.

Learning to decoratively paint surfaces (2 videos)

Various decorative painting effects (28 photos)

Today, painting walls is a much more practical and convenient way to update an apartment than. After all, painting takes much less time and effort, and the effect is much better. And all because modern paints They have amazing properties: they dry quickly, are easy to apply and do not have a strong odor.

Preparing the walls

Before painting the walls, it is necessary to prepare their surface. It should be perfectly smooth. Otherwise, painting the walls will only highlight its flaws. Any previous coatings must be removed, and the surface must be carefully checked for cracks, unevenness and other defects. If necessary, the walls are puttied for painting.

How to paint the walls in an apartment with your own hands

Painting walls with your own hands allows you to significantly reduce your spending budget during the renovation process. You can experiment with colors and textures, and if you approach this task creatively, in just a couple of days you can transform an ordinary apartment into a work of your own design art.

Of course, you should start with choosing the paint itself. The modern market offers a variety of textures and colors, but the main thing you should pay attention to is the performance characteristics. Especially if you plan to paint the walls in the bathroom or kitchen. Most decorative paints will give you many undeniable advantages both while working with them and in further care.

Particularly practical is painting walls with water-based paint. Its main advantage is its versatility, ease of application, and long service life (more than 10 years). Thanks to the vapor permeability of this coating, you will get a healthy microclimate in the room.

Another advantage of using water-based paint is that it is mainly produced white. You create the required shade yourself by adding special dyes, so-called tints. Choosing a color scheme that will match and harmonize with the overall space is the next important step when painting the walls in a room.

Painting walls in an apartment: several creative design techniques

Despite numerous tips and master classes, the result may not always be perfect. What if we turn disadvantages into advantages, making them even worse?

We offer some design tricks, which can become a real lifesaver.

Textured coloring

This finishing method includes various ways painting surfaces. The result is a coating that not only plays with different colors, but also has an original texture. The main advantage of this method is the ability to mask small unevenness and other defects, thanks to which you can save time and money on leveling the walls.

Frottage

This technique does not require special tools or extensive experience. Immediately after painting, while the material has not yet set, you need to take a sheet of paper or plastic bag, crumple it up and blot the entire wall area with it. To make it more interesting drawing, it is recommended to press the product with a spade onto the previous print. For this process, it is better to choose thick paints that dry for a long time in order to have time to treat the entire surface.

Sponging

Another simple way to create a textured surface. In this case, when painting, they use not the usual tools (spray guns, rollers or brushes), but a sponge or soft brush. For the sponging technique, it is better to choose pastel colors. As suitable material ordinary water-based paint. Using this method you can visually increase the size of the room.

For this job, a regular roller is wrapped in a lint-free cloth. For deeper relief, it is necessary to use rough textiles. Surfaces are first painted ordinary tool to a neutral color, after which more is applied bright paint using a fabric roller.

Ornament

The name of this method speaks for itself. It involves applying various figured images. To make work easier, a stencil is used. You can make it yourself or purchase a ready-made tool at a hardware store.

When the artist in you awakens

Use walls instead of artistic canvas - paint with bold strokes in an impressionist spirit. The plot for such a picture is unimportant, professional skills are also not required. Choose your favorite colors and go! Errors can always be hidden behind the paintings of the same impressionists.

Marker and chalk to help

Increasingly in modern interiors walls and furniture painted with slate paint appear. This allows you to make notes on the surface and draw all kinds of images. So the interior is always updated depending on the mood of its owners.

Color combination

You can use two or three colors, as many as you like. The main thing is that they all fit together. First you need to determine what color combination you want to use.

If you want to visually raise the ceiling, choose neutral colors, painting the lower part in a darker shade and the upper part in a lighter shade. There are dark and bright saturated colors that designers try not to use on the entire surface of the wall, otherwise they will depress and irritate the eye. But if they are present in small quantities and only in the lower part of the wall, the room only benefits from this and becomes more original and dramatic.

Gradient and ombre

Gradient coloring, or ombre, as it is also called, is very popular. This smooth transition from a light shade to a darker one or from one color to another.

Borders

In order to get perfectly smooth and neat boundaries between colors, you will need the hand of a master. Although in reality it is not that important. You can get by using interesting moldings, wooden slats, borders made of stone or mosaic. As a result, no one will notice the uneven joints.

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Painting the walls is a great idea when you want to freshen up your interior, but not everyone wants to live among plain walls. We offer original solutions decorate walls that are akin to designer interiors. In order for wall painting to be done at the highest level, it is not at all necessary to turn to professionals and pay a lot of money for their work. Here are a few ideas that you can follow to radically change the design of your room.

Original ideas for painting walls

1. Different colors of geometric pattern

Using masking tape and different shades of paint, you can play with the geometry of the room.

2. Incredible wall texture with a simple sponge

With this trick, even an inexperienced painter can achieve excellent results.

3. Imitation of brickwork using a rectangular sponge

Agree, it’s not difficult, but it looks great

4. Almost real wood in your room

This tree can be drawn using stencils

5. Light airy composition

Feathers on the wall make the interior of the room look lighter and no additional wall decorations are required. Such feathers are also applied to the wall using stencils.

6. Mountain peaks using Ombre technique

Ombre is a smooth transition from a rich shade to a lighter one. This technique can be successfully used in painting walls. This look is worth working for, but with great desire and patience you can get a great result.

Another example of mountain slopes using the ombre technique. A sheet of newspaper is used as a stencil.

7. Ombre technique

If you want to achieve an ombre effect without an additional pattern. Each shade of paint is applied separately, then the transition between colors is shaded.

8. A color transition on one wall using a geometric pattern will allow you to zone the space in an original and beautiful way

An excellent option for designing a color transition border between two different walls.

9. Decorative honeycombs of different shades will make the interior modern and original.

10. It is better to place a complex geometric motif on only one wall. This pattern is easy to make with masking tape and a roller.

11. Two in one: ombre technique and geometry. This method of painting imitates a wall panel and will become a bright accent in the interior.

12. Just let the paint dry

In this case, you will not need any brushes, stencils, or rollers. For smooth flowing lines, use a syringe, adjusting the width of the stripes only by the size of the syringe opening.

If you are facing renovations, but you don’t want to put up wallpaper, the question inevitably arises: how to cover the walls in your apartment instead of wallpaper. Coming out two: decorative plaster and painting. To work with plaster, it is advisable to have experience, but painting the walls in an apartment can be done with quite a bit of skill. high level and without experience. You need desire, time and careful execution of operations. By the way, there is paint that imitates some plasters quite well, but costs less.

Paints for living rooms

The most important thing in choosing paints for this group of rooms is their harmlessness. There are also high demands on the decorativeness of coatings and resistance to sunlight. Such a characteristic as cleaning ability is not the most popular, except that it may be necessary in a children's room. It is very good if the paints do not smell, or almost no smell, during application, and it is also desirable that they dry quickly.

Water based paints

More than others, these requirements are met by compositions based on water based. The binding component in them may be different, which is why some qualities change, but they have one thing in common: they are harmless to people, do not harm the environment, dry quickly and have almost no odor.

Water-based

The most popular in this group are water-based paints. These are compositions based on polyvinyl acetate (more familiar to us as PVA). This paint is easy to apply and has good coverage - usually two coats are enough to get an even color. After drying, they create a dense film on the surface that allows water vapor to pass through; they also say that such a wall “breathes.” It can be tinted very well - any color can have dozens of shades.

Water-based paint from the famous Tikkurila brand and a tinting card of just one color

One of its main advantages is its low price. And this, perhaps, is the decisive factor that makes water-based emulsions leaders in sales, even despite their rather serious shortcomings.

The first serious disadvantage is that it is not very resistant to mechanical or abrasive influences (it is easy to scratch). Second, it does not hide surface imperfections; it requires careful preparation. For the wall to look good, it must be absolutely smooth. The third drawback is the fear of water. A wall coated with water-based emulsion can be wiped several times with a damp cloth, but not all shades. On some, the stripes will be clearly visible. But the walls can be tinted - leave a little “in reserve” to eliminate stains and abrasions that appear after a while in the most “loaded” areas.

Water-dispersible silicone

These colors are almost perfect. They are easy to apply, and are able to heal even quite decent cracks - up to 2 mm. The film that remains after drying does not fade, is not afraid of moisture, and is easily damaged (you can wash it as much as you like). Painting the walls in an apartment with silicone paint allows you to get a very smooth surface even without ideal preparation and careful leveling.

After drying, the film is so smooth that even microparticles do not linger on it and dust does not accumulate. What is important is that the paint is vapor-permeable, which makes it possible to use it in wet rooms. High resistance to ultraviolet radiation allows it to be used for exterior decoration (its main application).

Water-based silicone paint - excellent quality coating

It has essentially one drawback: its high price. This is the most expensive paint for today (except for textured ones). This explains the fact that they are not very popular. But if you want to have a durable, beautiful coating for the walls in your apartment or house, choose silicone paint. In any case, it can be used in the hallway and kitchen.

Acrylic water-dispersible

This type of paint is perhaps ideal: it tinters well, does not fade, applies well, even paints over cracks, albeit smaller ones - up to 0.7-1 mm. It has average vapor permeability, the coating is difficult to damage, and can be washed even with detergents. She has no particular shortcomings. In some parameters (vapor permeability) it is slightly worse than water-based paints, in others (hiding power) it is slightly inferior to silicone paints, but in general it gives a very good result.

Painting the walls in an apartment with this paint will not be too expensive: the price is average. So if we take the price/quality ratio, this is best paint, both for walls and ceilings.

Decorative textured paints

This is a relatively new direction. Painting walls in an apartment using textured paints allows you to obtain not a smooth, evenly painted surface, but one with a certain or chaotic relief. The basis of textured paints is an acrylic water dispersion with pigment and various additives - sand of different fractions, mineral fibers and other similar substances that form the relief.

These paints differ in thickness; accordingly, they can be applied with a spatula, brush or roller. Some types allow you to use a spray gun. The texture can vary depending on the type of application, and significantly. For example, in the photo below, you see the result of applying one paint with different tools - a brush, various rollers and a spatula. The photo shows decorative paint for walls and ceilings from the German company JOBI. It's called PUTZEFFEKTFARBE (PutzEffectFarbe).

This composition can be painted in any color from the palette, so there are a lot of options. Can be applied to drywall, concrete, fiberboard, plastered surfaces. For best results, preliminary priming is recommended.

There are decorative paints with imitation fabric, suede, with pearlescent stains, aged surfaces and many others. Application is sometimes multi-layered - three layers or more - using different instruments. Usually such compositions are accompanied detailed instructions on application and operating procedures, as well as recommendations for choosing a tool.

You will see several ways to apply decorative paint in the video.

Paints for bathrooms, kitchens and hallways

For kitchens and corridors, the decorative acrylic paints described above and water-based silicone paints are suitable. They have sufficient abrasion resistance and can be washed frequently. The use of paints with a pronounced relief in kitchens is not entirely justified - it will be difficult to keep the walls clean. But mother-of-pearl stains can be made small room visually more spacious, especially if the base color is light.

But there are also several moisture- and temperature-resistant paints that can be used in wet rooms - kitchens and bathrooms - but are undesirable in living rooms.

Alkyd compositions

Alkyd paints are very similar in consistency to oil paints, but have a significant difference both in the base (alkyd resins) and in operational characteristics. The surface painted with them tolerates high humidity, elevated temperatures, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. It has average vapor permeability, and therefore can be used in damp rooms. It applies well to wood and metal surfaces. What is also attractive about these paints is that painting walls does not require significant investments - they are inexpensive. However, a well-prepared surface is required for a normal appearance. By type of surface being created alkyd paint can be glossy, matte, semi-matte.

There is only one serious drawback - they are diluted with organic solvents - white spirit, gasoline, turpentine. Therefore, when painting and drying, there is a persistent characteristic odor in the room. Another minus is that over time they lose their color brightness and a yellowish coating appears. The option is inexpensive, but not the best in terms of durability. They are very good for painting radiators and heating pipes - they can be heat-resistant - but for walls it is worth using a different composition.

Paints based on silicates (liquid glass)

If we talk about the specific properties of silicate coating, then for the bathroom it is a good choice: the chemical composition is such that fungus or mold never appears on painted walls. If there is such a problem, this is one of the options for solving it. The coating is very strong and durable, and vapor permeability is the highest among all paint and varnish compositions existing today. Therefore, you can use these paints both in the kitchen and in the bathroom.

Silicate paint - prevents the development of fungi and mold

But there are significant disadvantages. Firstly, until it dries, the composition is very harmful to health. You need to work with it in protective clothing and respiratory protection (a good respirator). After drying, the film is absolutely harmless, but it cannot be kept indoors until it crystallizes. Secondly, silicates are not compatible with other types of coatings. They do not apply to surfaces previously painted with any other paint. In the same way, no other surface will “lie” on a surface painted with silicate paint. In both cases, complete removal of the previous layer is required. Thirdly, the compositions are tinted only with mineral pigments, and this significantly narrows the number of colors and shades.

Wall painting design

There are a lot of options for painting walls, because there are no restrictions on quantity. It is important to find the right suitable color combination when painting your walls. The easiest way to do this is to select shades according to the tables that designers use. They contain groups of shades that can be used in one room, while the interior will be harmonious.

Now about the methods of combined painting of walls. There are quite a lot of them, they will look different in the interior. Choose the one you like.

Horizontal division into two or three zones

This method is traditional. Usually the room is divided into two zones. At the bottom they paint with darker shades, at the top with lighter shades. Classic version- division into three parts in height - the lower third is painted with a dark shade, the upper two are lighter. But this is just a classic; in reality, the dark paint can end in the middle or almost at the ceiling. You just need to be careful with this technique: it visually makes the ceilings lower. The exception is a light strip almost under the ceiling.

The border between two colors, if you paint the walls in an apartment yourself, is rarely ideal. To decorate the imperfections, you can glue some even strips. Another option is to apply masking tape evenly along the border before applying the second shade. After painting, remove it, you will get a perfect line (if you applied the tape evenly).

The molding can be left white - it goes with any colors, or it can be painted in one of the suitable colors

This technique can be used in premises of any purpose, and the style can be of any kind. Only with moldings - this is more of a classic, it is acceptable for country style, for one of the ethnic styles. Just a clear border or a division decorated with a shiny stripe is already minimalism or hi-tech.

Accentuating a wall

A fashionable trend in decorating rooms is highlighting a wall with color. There are two options here:

• a darker shade of the same color;
• another color from a compatible palette.

With well-chosen details in the interior, both methods look attractive. This is the easiest way to make the interior more memorable and vibrant.

A bright color from the same palette is the easiest way to brighten up your interior.

Just keep in mind that in bedrooms, for example, it is better to use less harsh combinations - the atmosphere in such rooms should be softer. Sharp contrasts are good in living rooms and children's rooms. Children generally like bright combinations.

Horizontal stripe

This is a fairly wide strip that runs approximately at eye level. Most often, this type of painting of a room is used if it is necessary to pay attention to some decorative elements - paintings, for example.

This technique looks good in corridors - by lowering the height of the ceiling, it makes it seem wider. Another popular application is children's rooms: children's drawings look very good against a prominent background.

The stripe does not have to be monochromatic - a slight gradient is also good

Striped walls

An interesting technique, but it’s not worth using it for the entire room. This way you can decorate one wall - one of the varieties of an accent wall - or just part of it.

Horizontal stripes can be multi-colored. The main thing is that they are repeated in the interior

An interesting effect is achieved by combining stripes of the same color, but with different textures - matte and glossy. Strictly speaking, these are not two colors, but they look exactly like that.

Highlighting some interior details

Often, some details are emphasized with a different color - brighter or calmer. For example, niches, frames, placement of an interesting shelf, etc.

Highlighting some elements is another way to combine painting a room.

One option is to outline the walls with a stripe of a darker color, thus highlighting all the corners. This method will help make a small room more spacious: it will appear taller and wider.

How to paint the walls in an apartment with your own hands: video

Choosing the type of paint is good, but you also need to know how to work with it. Each paint has its own characteristics of application and surface preparation. But in general, the following steps are almost always present:

1. Removing old coating, if any. The thoroughness of this stage depends on the compatibility of the old finishing layer and the new layer. If they are compatible, only the loose or poorly adhering fragments need to be removed. If the coatings are incompatible, you will have to remove everything completely.
2. Wall putty. The technology is standard: take a suitable composition and apply it with a spatula, covering cracks and irregularities.
3. Surface grinding. Use either sandpaper or a special mesh attached to a holder or wooden block. Using circular movements, remove all excess, leveling the walls.
4. Dust removal from the sanded surface. It is better to use a vacuum cleaner, but you can wipe everything with a dry cloth several times, but each time it is clean.
5. Primer. The primer for each surface and paint must be selected separately. It is advisable to purchase it together with paint. Priming performs two tasks: it improves the adhesion of paint to the surface (it will not peel off) and reduces paint consumption.
6. Painting. Usually paint in several layers, applying the composition in different directions. if we talk about walls, then from top to bottom, and then from right to left. Each layer is applied after the first has dried. The instructions usually indicate this time and it is advisable to maintain it.

That's all. The painting of the walls in the apartment is finished. But a verbal description cannot convey some of the features of working with paints or putties. Watch the video tutorial, some subtleties will become more clear. After watching it, painting walls with water-based paint yourself will not be a problem.

How by simple means To create the effect of decorative paint on the walls, see the video.