Painting interior walls is relatively easy and cheap way to transform the rooms of your home while protecting overall resale value. Aside from adding personality and drama, re-painting protects the surface from moisture and fading. Here are a few things to know before you start planning your DIY masterpiece.


Sheen/Luster - A paint's "sheen" classifies its degree of shine. Flat paint is the dullest of the sheens and is best uses in low activity areas such as hallways and dining rooms, or on ceilings. Eggshell (sometimes "low-luster") has more shine that flat and is easier to wash. Eggshell finishes are appropriate for bedrooms and living rooms. Semigloss and glossy sheens reflect light for a brighter look. Both are durable and easy to wash, although glossy sheens will highlight any imperfections on a wall or surface. Semigloss sheens finishes are good choices for bathrooms and kitchens, while glossy finishes are often reserved for trim, railings, cabinetry and doors.

Quality - While it may be tempting to save money by buying cheaper paint, you will likely end up paying for it in the long run. High quality paint has higher pigment levels and a higher percentage of titanium dioxide, which increases coverage ability and improves durability. Their heavier bodies will go on smoother with less splattering and fewer applications, and will resist fading over time.

Color - Darker hues are known to add interest or warmth to a room, while lighter colors can open up a room and make it seem more spacious. Painting one wall with a rich color can add new drama to the space. In terms of durability, colors such as white, brown tend to fade less than brighter greens, yellows and blues.

Testing - Paint chips and samples can help you whittle down color options, but the best test of a paint color is to see the hue on the intended surface during different lighting conditions. Purchase quart or sample sizes of your top paint choices to get the best feel for the paint's affect on its surroundings.

Amount - 1 gallon of paint will typically cover 350 square feet of surface. Multiply the width of your walls by the height of the room to determine the total square footage you need to cover. Some manufacturers provide coverage calculators that will help you determine how many gallons of paint you will need.

Preparation - Paint adheres best to clean, uniform walls. Scrape clear any flaking paint and spackle in holes and cracks. Wash walls with a trisodium phosphate solution. Use plenty of painter's tape on baseboards, moldings and windowpanes. Applying a primer will conceal stains and ensure uniform color and absorption.


Equipment - Latex paints are best used with nylon brushes (or rollers), while natural brushes 9or rollers) work best for oil-based paint. 3-4 inch wall brushes work well on large, flat surfaces. Angled sash brushes are ideal for detailed areas, and trim brushes are perfect for doors and window frames. Paint rollers work well on rough or textured surfaces. The rougher the surface, the longer the roller nap should be.

**This information was taken from the April Real Estate Advisor, a monthly email newsletter sent to select customers of RE/MAX agents in Indiana.  Sign up for My Home Finder to start receiving the newsletter in your inbox.

Associates at RE/MAX Select, REALTORS have been supporters of Children's Miracle Network since 1992 and have donated more than $200,000 to the childrens charity. These funds have helped RE/MAX, a leading real estate franchisor, arrive at an amazing milestone: $100 million dollars raised over the past 18 years for Childrens Miracle Network, which raises funds for more than 170 pediatric hospitals. In doing so, RE/MAX became one of the top three Children's Miracle Network donors of all time.

The funds raised by RE/MAX Select go to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis to help treat children needing expert medical care. Supporting our local Children's Miracle Network hospital is part of the RE/MAX ethic. Our agents are immensely proud to support Riley Hospital, said Paul Caldwell, Broker/Owner.We all feel it is important to give back to this community in which we earn our living and raise our families.

The donations from hundreds of RE/MAX offices and thousands of RE/MAX Associates amount to millions of dollars each year for childrens hospitals. RE/MAX primarily raises funds through the Miracle Home^® program where Associates make a contribution to Childrens Miracle Network with each closed transaction. RE/MAX offices and agents also sponsor golf tournaments, host art auctions and organize a variety of other fundraising activities throughout the year.

When you take into account that the real estate industry was hit harder than any other by the economic recession, its overwhelming that RE/MAX Associates raised $7 million for Childrens Miracle Network in 2009 alone, bringing their total to a landmark $100 million, said Scott Burt, president and CEO, Childrens Miracle Network.

Knowing that childrens hospitals have been impacted deeply by the downturn in philanthropic giving, RE/MAX Associates worked harder than ever to support Childrens Miracle Network and the children in our communities, said Vinnie Tracey, president, RE/MAX International, Inc.

RE/MAX continues to be the real estate leader: