10 Paint Hacks to Simplify DIY Projects: Videos Show Professional Tips for Commonly Asked Paint Questions

From cleaning excess paint off a roller to properly patching a hole, experts at Dunn-Edwards Paints show how to in these quick and easy how-to videos. These shortcuts to cleaning, mixing paint and using paint tools can help you paint like a pro, all while saving time and extra paint!

1. How to Patch a Hole: Whether they're from hanging picture frames or a clumsy accident, holes in walls are common eyesores around the home. Learn to fill, sand and paint over a hole for an even, finished wall.
2. How to Determine If Existing Paint is Water- or Oil-Based:Mixing water- and oil-based paints on one wall can be disastrous without proper preparation, so make sure to use this quick trick to check the type of paint on an existing wall before painting.
3. How to Remove Lint from a Roller Cover: Don't waste time picking pesky lint pieces off your freshly painted wall by hand! Here's a simple trick to nab them all at once in a few seconds.
4. How to Get the Most Out of Your Sandpaper: Gleaming tabletops and smooth walls are results of diligent sandpaper action before painting. Maximize one piece of sandpaper like a pro with this simple hack.
5. How to Use a Painter's 5-in-1 Tool: While it may seem intimidating at first, a painter's 5-in-1 tool is a convenient helper to save time and energy during paint projects. Discover its many uses -- including a 6th tip you're sure to like.
6. How to Reuse or Dispose of a Roller Cover: Minimize mess (and shorten the clean-up process after!) with this easy hack on how to reuse or dispose of roller covers.
7. How to Mix Paint for Color Consistency: There can be a small difference in color from can to can, so it's very important to mix gallons well for color consistency before painting. Avoid differing hues on one wall with this simple tutorial.
8. How to Load a Brush with Paint: Most people automatically scrape excess paint off a brush before applying, thinking it will drip. In reality, paint brushes are designed to hold much more paint if you gently tap the sides of the bucket. Learn more with this video.
9. How to Paint Out of a Bucket to Save Time: Using a bucket, which holds more paint than a tray, can save you time during your next painting project.
10. How to Get Excess Paint Out of a Roller Cover: A lot of excess paint clings to paint rollers! Learn how to scrape off paint to make cleanup a breeze.

Beyond Pastel: At Home Offers Easter Looks for Every Style

 Easter comes early this year and, though decorating enthusiasts have hardly had time to take down their Valentine's Day decorations, it is time to brighten up homes for spring and one of the first holidays of the season.

While typical Easter décor focuses on pastels and simple white bunnies, At Home®, the home décor superstore, offers hundreds of Easter items to help the savvy decorator tailor Easter decorations to fit their personal space. From chalkboard eggs to a sweet chevron bunny, enthusiasts can find everything they need to celebrate the occasion.

"At Easter, it's sometimes hard to find décor that blends well with what you already have in your home," said Alissa Ahlman, Chief Merchandising Officer for At Home. "We love looking to people's favorite décor styles for inspiration in choosing all of our seasonal items, and are thrilled to share different and modern looks that fall outside traditional Easter pastels."

To add Easter flair to your home, At Home has a few favorite products and tips to suit any style:

1. Embrace the tried-and-true bunny motif, but do so in your own way by selecting one that will look at home in your present décor like a moss bunny for those who lean toward more natural elements or this gold chevron bunny marquee or porcelain bunny for the modern decorator.
2. Share your feelings of excitement for the season with your guests through declarative tabletop décor such as green "welcome" and "bloom" or colorful "spring" and "Easter" signs.
3. Bring your childhood love of egg-hunting into your surroundings with eggs of all hues and materials including chalkboard, colored, or fabric.

Paint Color Can Create Just The Right Mood

Choosing paint color for a room in your home? Don't ignore the psychological impact of color. Studies have shown that different hues create different moods; they can even affect behavior!

"There are lots of good reasons to select a particular paint color, including personal preferences and design considerations, but often overlooked is the psychological power certain colors exert on mood, attitude, and outlook," says Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert at the Paint Quality Institute.

"Even before you go to the paint store or start to look at color cards, think about the mood you'd like in your surroundings," advises Zimmer. "Do you want the space to be relaxing or invigorating? Once you make that decision, the color choice becomes easier," she says.

If your goal is to create a tranquil space, then favor a soft green or pale blue. These are the most calming colors, so they're ideal for rooms where you rest and relax – the family room or bedroom, for example. As a bonus, light blue and green tints are expected to be in vogue this year.

Other "go-to" colors for rooms where you go to rest – again, the bedroom or a sitting room, perhaps – include certain beiges, browns, and taupe. More enveloping than blues and greens, these quiet tints and shades impart more warmth and coziness to a space.  

At the other end of the psychological spectrum are paint colors that can inject energy into your surroundings. 

Yellow is the best example. Like a splash of brilliant sunshine, yellow walls can lift the spirit and brighten your outlook. What better color to use in a kitchen or breakfast area where you start the day?

Shades of orange – tangerine and apricot, for example – are also energizing, so they too are good choices for rooms where you spend your mornings. 

Reds are energizing, too, but they need to be used sparingly, since their bold appearance can literally increase heartbeat. But if you're seeking a great dining room color, look no further: Studies show that red can actually increase appetite, which explains why it is used in so many restaurants. 

Aside from the pure color, or hue, of the paint you choose, keep in mind that tone, or brightness, also plays a role in creating mood. Brighter tones invigorate, while those that are muted ("toned down") tend to be more relaxing.

After carefully choosing the perfect interior paint color, make sure it continues to look just so by applying the highest quality paint. According to Zimmer, top quality paints made with 100% acrylic resist fading, so the color you apply is the color you'll continue to enjoy for years to come.     

To learn more, visit the Paint Quality Institute's newly designed blog at blog.paintquality.com. It's an attractive, informative, easy-to-use resource for all things related to color and painting.