Got plants growing close to your house? You’ll want to protect them from paint drips with a drop cloth or plastic sheeting. Plants that touch the exterior of your building will either need to be removed, trimmed, or tied back so that painters have room to do their job.
Is black the new neutral? Black houses are certainly on the rise, and there’s no denying their chic appeal. But you may want to consider these cons before crossing over to the dark side: First, black houses absorb more heat from the sun than white houses. And black fades faster than lighter colors. For a full analysis, see Black Houses: The Pros and Cons of a Dark Painted Facade. 9. Selling your house? Consider a dark door. Above: A white Victorian weatherboard facade is offset by a black roof and door. Photograph by Derek Swalwell, courtesy of Ben Scott Garden Design, from Before & After: A Two-Faced Victorian Garden with a Secret.

Before you go to the store to buy the paint, be sure to measure the square footage of the room—you don’t want to buy too little or too much.
Interior paint should last five to ten years. With regular light dusting and gentle cleaning, its lifespan will tend toward the latter. Addressing stains or any signs of water damage as soon as possible is key to maintaining both interior and exterior paint. If you find water damage on your exterior paint, you may want to inspect the gutters and downspouts. A yearly inspection and gutter cleaning may prevent paint damage down the road. Regular maintenance of your exterior paint should also include cleaning, touch-up painting, and trimming trees and bushes near the house to ensure proper airflow.