Painting Projects Make For Family Fun

If you love home improvement projects, but think you can’t do much if you have small children, think again.

Debbie Zimmer, a color and decorating expert for The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, says painting is a great way to get the whole family involved in making a house a home.

“Painting is a good way to constantly change and update the look of your home,” Zimmer says. “What’s especially nice is that it is truly something the whole family can do together.”

Kids Take Charge!
One of the best ways to get children involved in painting projects is to help them create a whole new look for their bedrooms or play areas. A project that is sure to be a big hit is “wall writing.”

“ Your children may have had a few accidents involving crayon drawings on your white walls, but here’s a chance to let them draw on the walls with your permission,” Zimmer says.

Wall-writing is a popular, cutting-edge design technique that can be as big or small as you like. It simply involves painting words right on the walls. This technique is a little too advanced for young painters, but Zimmer suggests getting them involved by asking if they have a favorite nursery rhyme, song lyric or other phrase they would like to use.

Children of all ages can be involved in choosing colors for their bedrooms and play areas. The first step is a visit to the home center or paint store to check out the color card display.

“The paint chip display is a fun place for children to explore how colors work together, so they are actually learning while they are having fun looking at the rainbow of choices,” Zimmer says.

When it is time to do the job, older children may even be able to help with the painting, although Zimmer stresses that parents should always properly supervise children and make sure they are wearing the necessary eye and skin protection.

Bye-Bye, Baby Furniture
When you are considering painting projects, don’t forget to look beyond the walls. Furniture offers a creative outlet for decorative painting techniques.

Furniture can be repainted in one color, or given a unique look by sponging or rag rolling it. Teenagers (and you!) may like a new technique called “distressing.” It involves the use of two paint colors and sandpaper to give dressers, beds and other furniture an antique look. You can find full instructions online at http://www.paintquality.com/diy/content/design_6.htm

Practical for Parents
Paint has another added benefit for today’s busy parents. Top quality acrylic latex paint is easy to clean with just a damp cloth or sponge, so dirty handprints or misplaced crayon drawings can be quickly wiped clean. For the best cleanup properties, Zimmer suggests using satin or semigloss paint. These formulations offer superior stain resistance and are easier to clean than flat paints. For trim that is often touched, use a high-gloss formula.

Finally, here’s a word about “that paint smell.” Many of today’s top quality acrylic latex paints are formulated with fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), resulting in less odor as you are applying the paint and as it dries. This means less potential for irritation among even the smallest helpers.

For more information on paints and painting projects, and a free online newsletter, visit The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute at www.paintquality.com.