Home decoration tips for painting a door

Here is a simple way to dress up any wooden door in your home. Just follow these easy directions, and you will soon have an artistic enhancement to any room! Here is a list of all the supplies that you will need:

1. pencil

2. paper

3. very fine sandpaper

4. drop cloth

5. flat, white interior house paint

6. 4 inch wide soft bristled paint brush - available at all paint and hardware stores

7. small paint brushes for details

8. several small bottles of acrylic craft paints in varying shades in the colors of your choice - These can be found at many craft stores and larger discount stores.

9. jars or large glasses for water

10. paint pens in a variety of colors - Don't forget black, which is a great color for outlining cartoonish designs.

11. clear, semi-gloss, poly acrylic paint - This can be found at most hardware and paint stores, and is very convenient for it is water soluble and has no fumes. Polyurethane paints are oil based and can only be applied out of doors, so avoid those kinds.

Now you are ready to begin! Here are the steps you need to take in order to have a wonderful artistic addition to your home:

1. Draw your design on a piece of paper with the pencil. Planning ahead is very important.

2. Spread the drop cloth around the floor under the door.

3. Use the large paint brush and the white paint to cover the area that is to be painted upon.

4. Let the white paint dry for a few hours.

5. Transfer your pre-drawn image to the door surface using the pencil directly onto the door. Periodically step away from the image to make sure the proportions are correct.

6. Fill in the outlined shapes with the colors of your choice. This is where the acrylic craft paints come in! Also, use the smaller paint brushes for application, and leave them in the water jars in order to preserve the brushes.

7. Outline the painted shapes with the paint pens.

8. Let this dry completely for a few hours.

9. Coat with the clear finish.

10. Immediately and thoroughly wash out the paint brushes.

You are all done! Here are some tips to help keep this project fun and easy:

1. Paint something that you are comfortable drawing. Never try to paint something that is above your artistic level. This will leave you frustrated.

2. Remember those doodles from elementary and high school? Those designs sometimes make the best images when blown up to "door size."

3. If you are unsure what to draw, try some simple designs: polka dots, flowers, clouds and blue skies, stick people, hearts, stripes, and so on.