Planning to have the inside of your home painted? You may be wondering whether you’ll need to leave while work is being performed. In many cases, you can stay in your home during interior painting, although certain rooms or areas may be temporarily unavailable.
Whether staying home is practical depends on the size and location of the project, your home’s layout, and how the work affects the spaces you typically use throughout the day. Painting a single bedroom, for example, will likely be less disruptive than repainting several rooms—and certainly less so than painting your entire home.
Before the actual prep work and painting begin, ask your contractor which areas will be worked on and in what order. This will let you plan around their work and minimize disruptions to your schedule.
What Parts of Your Home Should You Avoid During Painting?
It’s best to stay out of active work areas unless painters tell you it’s okay to enter. They may be in the process of prepping a room, covering floors and furniture, masking areas, moving equipment, or working on wet surfaces. Avoiding these areas lets painters focus on your project and prevents you from accidentally touching freshly painted walls, doors, or trim.
Once an area has been painted, ask your contractor when you can use it normally again.
What About Paint Odors and Ventilation?
Paint products can vary in their odor, composition, and recommendations for ventilation, so it’s worth asking your contractor which ones will be used and how they may affect living in your home. This is especially important if you or someone in your household is particularly sensitive to paint odors and may be more comfortable staying elsewhere during part of the project.
Always follow the paint manufacturer’s recommendations regarding ventilation and use of the painted space.
What Should You Do With Children and Pets?
Children and pets should generally be kept away from rooms where painters are working. While wet paint is certainly a big consideration in this respect, drop cloths, equipment, open containers, tools, and workers moving between rooms create environments that are unsuitable for normal household activity.
Depending on the scope of your project, you may be able to keep children or pets in another part of the house. For larger projects, you may find it easier to arrange for them to stay elsewhere.
Talk with your contractor about which rooms and pathways need to remain clear.
Can You Sleep in a Room That Was Just Painted?
How soon you can comfortably return to a freshly painted room depends on several factors, including the paint product, ventilation, drying conditions, and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Rather than relying on a universal waiting period, ask your painting contractor about the specific products being applied in your home and how soon after their application you can resume normal use of that space. This is especially important if the room being painted is a bedroom that you’ll need that evening.
How Can You Prepare If You’re Staying Home During Interior Painting?
A little planning can make it easier to remain at home while painters are working. Before a project, find out which rooms will be painted first and how the crew expects to move throughout your home.
You may also want to:
- Remove fragile or personal belongings from the work areas.
- Move furniture as requested by your contractor.
- Decide where you’ll spend your time while individual rooms are unavailable.
- Keep hallways and other access routes clear.
- Discuss children, pets, work-from-home needs, or other scheduling concerns.
The more you know about how the project will progress, the easier it will be to plan your daily routine around the work.
Can You Work From Home During Interior Painting?
Often, yes. If you have a workspace away from the rooms being painted, you may be able to continue working normally. However, consider potential noise, limited access to other areas of your home, and how the project will progress throughout the day.
Should You Leave Your Home During a Larger Project?
Leaving isn’t always necessary, but sometimes it’s simply more convenient. For example, whole-home painting or a project that involves several frequently used spaces may temporarily limit access to bedrooms, living areas, kitchens, or home offices. Extensive preparation can also create more activity within the house before painting even begins.
Your contractor should be able to explain how the project will progress and which areas will be affected. You can then decide whether it makes sense to stay at home or go elsewhere during certain portions.
Planning an Interior Painting Project?
Staying home during an interior painting project is often possible with a little planning. Before work begins, talk with your painting contractor about which rooms will be affected and how much time will be needed before they can be used normally again.
If you’re considering painting your home’s interior, Samia Painting would be happy to help! We can review the spaces you have in mind and explain what to expect throughout the process.
Contact us to learn more and schedule a free estimate!