Nothing Refreshes Like a Fresh Coat of Paint
Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.
By Bill Primavera
How exciting it was as a college student to rent my very first apartment on my own.
After having lived for a while in a boarding house where I really had no privacy, sharing space with a landlady who wanted no shenanigans going on in her house (I was only 18 after all), it was so liberating to have my own private entrance and space.
The location wasn’t exactly ideal, being in the basement of an old house where almost half of the space was underground and lacking light, but it was all mine.
A friend suggested that the first thing I should do, even before moving in, would be to paint the interior a light color to brighten the place up. (I chose a marigold color, which today I would consider too bright.) There were other benefits to be had.
The first step in preparing the surface of the walls is to clean and sand them, which for most people hasn’t been done in a long time.
Interior paint serves a similar purpose as exterior paint. Materials like drywall and plaster (probably found only in older homes) can tend to absorb moisture over time, gradually degrading their structural integrity and adding weight to walls and ceiling. Paint seals out moisture, protecting these surfaces from being saturated or being contaminated with pathogens like mold or mildew. Painting is an instant sanitizer.
Paint can also repel dust, dirt and allergens from the walls, so these can be swept off the floor more easily.
Of course, painting anew is aesthetically pleasing, many times offering a dramatic change. For smaller spaces, painting with a bright color can open up the interior, while utilizing a dark color can make a room more intimate.
Studies have shown that color affects mood. Pastels can be calming while bold primaries or secondaries can be energizing.
No matter whether one paints the kitchen, primary bedroom, guest room or dining area, new paint will make a space look better – and its occupants feel better.
Of equal importance is the fact that painting can increase the value of a home. Most real estate professionals will recommend repainting to increase the value and appeal of a property, which can be done without requiring a huge investment.
Remember, when one purchases a home, it has already been painted according to somebody else’s taste. Who wants to live surrounded by someone else’s sense of style? Further, colors on the walls may not coordinate with the buyer’s furnishings.
Repainting one’s interior is a great way to make a space feel fresh and new again without all the hassle of a full remodel, not to mention it’s the quickest and cheapest option to refresh a home.
Bill Primavera is a realtor associated with William Raveis Real Estate and founder of Primavera Public Relations, Inc., the longest-running public relations agency in Westchester (www.PrimaveraPR.com). If you’d like him to represent you to sell or buy a house, he can be called directly at 914-522-2076.
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