Painting and decorating certainly isn't a simple skill to master. Whilst the results of a professional paint job – either inside or out of your home – can be a wonder to behold, there is a lot more that goes into achieving the magnificent final product that simply selecting colours and swinging a brush. To successfully paint and decorate a room – or more – is a DIY project that can't and shouldn't be taken lightly.

If you're thinking about tackling some home improvement – painting style – then you'll be best to cast your eyes over this article first and soak up some insight and tips from the professionals of the trade. These hints will not only provide you with as close to a professional finish as possible, they'll also go a long way in ensuring you're kept safe when dealing with some of the more hazardous materials involved in the caper.

The primary step you'll need to focus on is the preparation of your walls and ceilings. This is a vital step that many first-time DIY enthusiast's skill – mostly due to the fact that they're over eager to slap on some colours – but is arguably the most important step in the entire process. Taking the time to cast your eyes over for imperfections such as dings and holes in the wall, as well as cracks in the ceilings or woodwork will provide you with the opportunity to fix them up before you begin.  If you hire a painter and decorator, the first thing they'll tell you is that repairing imperfections once a coat of paint has gone on is infinitely more difficult than spotting it before the fact. Take your time, spot all fixes which need to be made and you'll be glad you did once the project is finished and looking a million dollars.

As simplistic as it may sound, selecting the right attire to wear whilst carrying out your project is also another stage that many over-enthusiastic DIYers skip at their own peril. There is a reason that even the professionals wear protective clothing, despite having years and years worth of experience. One major reason is that paint is made up of some pretty harsh chemicals; you're going to want to wear a protective mask and possibly even some protective eyewear to ward off fumes and stray splashes which may land in your eyes. Additionally, painting is messy; you may think that you'll be careful but even if you take all the time in the world, you're still a certainty to end up with a splash or two on your favourite T-Shirt. Take the time to head down to your local paint store and purchase the following: mask, protective glasses/eyewear, drop sheets, overalls. It's fine to try and save cash in a DIY situation but skipping out on necessities only puts yourself and the project in harm's way unnecessarily.

There's been an undeniable boom in popularity when it comes to DIY projects at home. Home improvement is a big industry and if you're not interested in hiring one of the more trusted painters Melbourne has to offer then taking on a project yourself is certainly a possibility. Employing the few tips we've mentioned above is really just the beginning; prior to starting any painting project it is highly recommended that you take a trip down to your local paint store and have a chat with one of the experts there. Not only will they help with colour selections, they'll also point you in the direction of what you'll need.

Essentially, the key is to not underestimate the task at hand. DIY is great ways to save money if you're happy to put in the effort, just don't assume that the project will be easy – that'll only result in a poor final product and you putting your wellbeing at risk.

Be smart. Paint Smart.

Best of luck to you!