Some people build bridges, other put up walls. Whatever your personal approach to people and life in general may be, we all know that shabby walls do not make a home, which is why professionals in the painting business recommend applying a fresh paint coat to the walls and ceilings at least once in a few years.

Unfortunately, not all surfaces in our homes are pitch-perfect and easy to handle: there may sometimes be peculiar nooks, awkward angles and uneven textures that need to be tackled properly and with more care if you want the brand new paint number to truly show and make a difference.  Here are some tips on how to avoid common painting pitfalls and handle tricky surfaces like an experienced professional.

Edges at Odd Angles

Homes with modern designer looks often have edges sticking out at odd angles, a decorative technique which contributes to greater visual interest – but it also adds hassle to otherwise straightforward painting tasks. You can apply a single color to the entire surface to avoid dramatic effects, or you can highlight the awkward interplay of angular oddities by painting the prominent aspects in bright/dark accent tones – this will create an attention-grabbing contrast across the room.

Immaculate Niches

Another challenging aspect of your home that may leave you clueless, niches can be tackled in two ways. Depending on the look you wish to achieve, you can either paint the back wall only or you can paint the entire surface. Most people paint only the back wall as this is easier and makes for a nice decorative contrast, but painting the entire niche will render a more elegant, consistent feel to the room.

Tray Ceilings at Their Finest

Tray ceilings are an excellent architectural touch for spacious indoor areas, but they are nevertheless rather complex when it comes to DIY painting projects. In a recent chat with the people behind Apcoatings, it was brought to my attention that tray ceilings can serve as an eye-catching room focal point if painted in a combination of light and metallic tones, while darker shades interlaid with soft natural tones will fare better in case you want to achieve the visual impression of added height.

Painting in the Bull-nose Corner

Bull-nose corners add a gentle, fluid feel to the indoor area but can be problematic come painting time. You can either use the same paint tone for the entire wall surface (rounded corners included) or you can paint the walls in one color and add graduated accents to mark the transition at the curved angles. If you want to stay on the safe side, opt for neutral or muted tones, but if you want to be creative and experiment a bit, bold shades can prove an engaging décor transition.

Moldings for a dose of chic

Just like tray ceilings, moldings can add sophistication to your workplace or living area, but they require more attention in wall painting. For a well put-together impression, paint the trims in slightly lighter or darker tones than the rest of the wall – or go artistic with bolder contrasts, complementary colors or glossy paint. Just remember: high contrasts and daring accents in moldings may visually diminish the room, so avoid them if your home is not overly generous in terms of size.

You need not be a new Michelangelo to refresh your home with a dash of fresh paint. Yes, there are options to consider and decisions to make, but at least now you know some basic hacks on how to make the most of the unique features your home already has and use them to the overall décor’s advantage. Pick a feel and look you want to create in your office, studio or apartment and work out a color scheme that fits the desired ambiance best. Life can be simple, painting included, for as long as you know what you want to achieve and are able to keep your eyes on the target.