Unless you are comfortable with stark, white walls―and some people are―you are probably going to give due consideration to painting the interior of your home. There are several reasons why you may want to paint your home interior―you're renovating your house, you're bored of the existing paint at your walls, you want to enhance the ambiance of your home, you want the walls to complement your furniture and the décor, you read about 'color therapy' and want to discover if it really works, you want your neighbors to envy your home interior ... well, the list goes on. Once you have decided to paint, you have to come up with suitable ideas. That opens a whole new can of worms:

• What colors should you use?
• What color combinations will look good?
• What brand of colors should you buy?
• What interior painting techniques should you use?
• What kind of effects can you create?
• Should you do it yourself or call in the professionals?
• If you are going to do it yourself, how are you going to do it yourself?

It will be a good idea to visit your local hardware and paint store and spend some time there looking around. Look at different color samples, match color swathes, ask about different color brands and the differences between them, ask about the technical requirements and procedures to follow, and the equipment you will need to get started. As long as you don't show up at rush hour, most hardware shop owners will be glad to assist you. Tips for Painting Your House Select the Right Type of Colors Don't just go for the 'oh, those look bright and attractive' ones. Take time to consider the color combinations―if they will complement your existing furniture, if they will stand up to your home lighting arrangements, and how they will look during different times of the day. Painting a section of your missy's room in hot pinks is okay, but imagine the entire room painted with it―tacky in the daylight and migraine-inducing in the night! Don't go for colors because they are 'different'. Think if you are 'different' enough to live with them. Select the Right Type of Paints Most paints generally come in flat, satin, gloss, and semi-gloss types. Flat paints have a low sheen and sober appearance, and are the most commonly used. Satin, as the name indicates, have a distinct sheen and are one better than flat paints in being much easier to keep clean. Gloss and semi-gloss paints are even more durable. The former is usually used to paint doors, door frames, windows, window frames, wall trims, etc., while the latter is used for painting bathrooms, kitchens, and places that require frequent cleaning. Decide on the Interior Painting Techniques to be Used Most people just use a brush and roller to get the color on, and that's it. Then there are those who believe in adding texture and depth. You can do this by wall stenciling, faux painting, rubber stamping, cloth stamping, and so on. ▶ In wall stenciling, you paint through design cutouts to reproduce the design shapes on your wall. ▶ In faux painting, you try to recreate the appearance of wood, marble, etc. ▶ In rubber stamping, you create the shapes you want to reproduce, dip them in the color, and simply stamp them on the walls. ▶ Cloth stamping is similar; just put a cloth over your hand, dip into color, and start stamping the walls. Think it through before going for these interior paint ideas. Using different techniques may seem fun, but living with them on a long-term basis may not be so. Measure the Area to be Painted Take measurements of the area to be painted so that you can estimate the amount of paint you will need. The paint shop should have a 'paint calculator' to help you figure it out. Take Guard Take the appropriate precautions to protect your furniture, electrical appliances, and floors. Shift the furniture out altogether. If that's not possible, shift it to the center of the room and cover them with tarp sheets. Remove or cover electrical fixtures. Cover floors with tarp sheets. Also remember to protect your eyes, skin, and hair. Use goggles to protect your eyes and wear overalls and a kerchief or cap. Prepare Your Home Walls for the Coloring Before painting or stamping, scrape and sand your walls clean. Strip away all old paint, wallpaper, and grime, patch holes and cracks, and prime your walls with a good primer. Paint Your Home Walls Now that you have an idea about how things work, you can start painting―with a brush, roller, and employ all the stamping techniques you wish to. Air the Rooms Remember to air the rooms for at least 24 hours before occupying them.