How long did it take to decorate new home?

marlasinger

We've lived here for nearly 4 years and we've barely done anything we said we would. We are only now painting the kitchen and bathroom and we planned on doing that as soon as we moved in.

Owain_Moneysaver

If you're doing it before you move in, i.e. the flat is empty and without carpets etc, then possibly.

If you're living there, then you will spend an afternoon moving things out of the way to do an hour's painting.

getmore4less

I think you want to get all your woodwork sanded and undercoated as part of the initial phase, dust mess sanding once stuff is in the place or damp paint on the walls/ceiling will be a nightmare.

MadelinesMum

I would give myself one or two rooms per day, doing one coat then doing 2nd coat the next day. If you have two people you can get it done quicker but be careful about not letting the cutting in dry before the rest filled in or you'll get visible joins. Also I tend to get better cutting in on the second room, so I would leave the lounge and kitchen until last as that's the rooms most visitors will see.

Sarahspangles

If you do have chance to do ceilings before you move furniture in, that's brilliant, but I would put good money on your neck needing a break after you've done the first!

Getting a lot of the prep out of the way while the place is empty is the next best thing.

Whenever I've rented, I have just cleaned the gloss well (luckily it's always been white) and it's looked fine. Emulsion is often grubbier because it's not so wipeable.

Getting the walls emulsioned makes an impact and since it spatters more it's another thing to do while the room is empty.

Then as an owner, gloss can be done a bit at a time as you will only need to move furniture away from one wall at a time, and it tends not to spatter as much anyway.

Worth getting some sealant for windows, if you are still getting round to glossing those when the weather gets colder you'll probably find all the draughts, then you can seal and paint in the right order :rotfl: Don't ask me how I know....

clayton16749

2 years and counting in our house.


Or, 1 room down and 7 to go...

SailorSam

It always takes longer than you thought it would.

System

My Dad decorated my lounge/diner/kitchen for me in November and took him 4 days from 8:30am - 5pm.

What takes time are unscrewing light switches and plug points and painting around them. Plus painting around windows and around/behind radiators. Then there is the skirting boards, doors, door frames, window sills.

You hardly get a wall without switches, radiators, windows, doors etc.

BeansOnToast_2

I'm moving out of this house next week after 18 years. It was new-build when I bought it. The 4th bedroom is still the original builder's creamy colour.

dominoman

sterl1ng wrote: »

Buying a 1 bed garden flat, haven't done any painting for well over a decade and was tempted to hire a painter but turns out very expensive! So I'm going to do myself but no idea how long it would take, it's about 500sq ft but main areas are living room, bedroom and hallway along with all woodwork and ceilings. I'm hoping to get it all done in about 3-4 days is that realistic?

Do it yourself if you can spare the time. 3-4 days sounds about right for that size, if you have a friend to help.

The walls are easy. Once you've cut in along the top, bottom and around light switches the rest is quick.

Woodwork takes the longest because you'll probably need to sand a little, then do a primer coat.

I'd definitely recommend doing it yourself if you haven't painted before. It's educational. Doing my house taught me that if could afford to get the professionals in I would!