realtyreport
Painting Possibilities
Applying a new coat of paint to your walls is a great way to breathe new life into a room. But there's so much more you can do with paint besides just changing colors. Below are some specialty paints you might not be aware of, as well as some ideas and tips on how to use them.
The Writing's on the Wall
Chalkboard paint, available in black and green, goes on just like regular paint and can be applied to all of the same surfaces. It's a great idea in children's rooms — give them a few pieces of chalk and allow their imaginations to run wild. Cleanup is as simple as a quick wipe with a damp cloth. Not just for kids, chalkboard paint can be a fun feature in kitchens, too. Use it on the inside of a cupboard door to write down your grocery list, by the phone to leave messages, or even as a backsplash, for example.
Get on Board
While fun, chalkboards can sometimes be a little messy due to dust. Enter dry-erase paint; with it, you can turn entire walls into whiteboards. It comes in acrylic and oil-based varieties and can be used on any paintable surface, which you'll have to prime. The possibilities are endless: use it in your kids' rooms to encourage artistic expression; in your home office to keep track of deadlines; in the kitchen to remind you of appointments; or in your workshop to record measurements and draw plans.
Clear the Air
If cigarette smoke, pets, or cooking odors are a problem, odor-eliminating paint containing baking soda might just be the solution. Use it in your kitchen, your bathroom, the baby's room, wherever the shoes are kept — basically, anywhere the odor-neutralizing powers of baking soda are needed. Bad odor is often a dealbreaker for buyers, so if you're planning on selling your home, this is a product you'll want to investigate, especially since you'll probably be re-painting anyway.
The Big Picture
Want a big home-theater screen without the big cost? Projector paint might be just the ticket. It's applied the same as regular paint, but is specially formulated to reflect light differently, turning any smooth (and it does need to be perfectly so) surface into a TV screen. Keep in mind you'll have to repaint the screen again in the future, regardless of which brand you use. It's recommended you frame your painted screen with a black border, for which there are also specialty paints.
Stick to It
Magnetic paint: use it on its own, or as a primer underneath chalkboard, dry-erase, or regular paint — or even wallpaper — to take creative expression to a new level. Magnetic paint is non-toxic, water-based and contains iron powder — the more coats you apply, the more magnetic the painted area will be. It's a fun and practical way to display photos, artwork and more, in children's rooms (be they toddlers or teenagers) as well as in your kitchen and home office.
