Your room needs painting but hiring a painter will affect your tight budget. A renowned author of Living Made Simple shares DIY painting tips that will make your home looks pleasing to the eye.

Preparation

1) Move furniture to the center of room and cover with drop cloth or newspaper same as with other stuff.

2) Sandpaper any blemishes and cover moldings, casings, and switch plates with quick-release tape.

3) Cover floor and cabinets with old newspaper.

4) Sweep the floor to reduce dust that might come in contact with your paint.

5) Wear goggles or mask to prevent eye and lung irritation. Open windows and turn on electric fans for a well- ventilated work area.

Painting Techniques

1) Use a two and one-fourth inch or three-inch brush to online walls.

2) Dampen brush slightly with water.

3) For walls paint it an up-and-down motion.

4) Paint ceiling widthwise rather than lengthwise.

5) Load dampened brush by dipping one-third of its bristle into paint, lift and gently tap it against paint can's rim.

6) When painting windows, don't worry about getting paint on glass. Just let the paint dry enough to touch and scrape it off with a razor blade.

7) Choose light-colored shades when painting your walls. According to interior decorator, this will not only create a serene setting but also increase the ambience of your room.

8) Paint the ceiling white or with shades lighter than the wall. It will help illuminate your room. If you opt for wallpapers, choose with small prints or designs. This will help give an impression that the room is larger than it actually is.

Color Code Your Room. According to architects color possess natural electromagnetic energy. Studies and research has proven that colors are able to influence physical, mental and emotional behavior. Colors affect us more than we think it does. They share a list of positive and negative basic human responses to color and the area of the house that will suit that color:

Red stimulates heartbeat, lifts and invigorates physical and emotional energies. Area: Use in front doors and other accents, mainly in living areas.

White gives the impression of more space, cleanliness, purity of thoughts. Area: Use throughout the house except high-glare areas.

Black gives the impression of protection and strength. Area: Ideal as accent mainly on living areas.

Soft Gray gives calmness and gives a sense of emotional protection and security. Area: Use mainly as accent to neutralize over-strong colors.

Lavender balances sensitive natures, aids creative dreaming and promotes healthy self-expression. Area: Bedrooms especially for children or areas meant for relaxation.

Orange provides extra energy to communicate effectively, stimulates appetite and aids digestion. Area: Mainly in family rooms and kitchen, best used as accents.

Yellow counteracts negative thinking, is intellectually stimulating, promotes optimistic and fun energies. Area: Ideal for studies and libraries; not for brightly lit spaces facing north.

Pink relaxes the mind and muscles, promote atmosphere of love and care. Area: Confine its use in bedrooms and bathrooms; never in study room.

Blue is world's favorite color. It create calm and relaxed attitudes, and promotes creativity. Area: Use in most areas except dark rooms or those facing south.

Green relaxes the nervous systems and eye strain, helps soothe emotions, and restores balance. Area: Use throughout the house, especially in kitchens, bedrooms, and study room.

Resource:

Anonymous, "Color Code Your Home,"  Woman Today, Home and Interiors Special

Ibanez, Magy, "Living Made Simple." Jan 06