Can you paint a straight line without tape? Do you dare paint your walls a dark charcoal color or black? These painting myths are just that – myths – and only a professional painter or years of personal painting experience can provide you with the answers. Here are some of the most popular painting myths, which may or may not be worth worrying about.

Myth: Primer isn’t necessary.  If you are transitioning from a light color to a dark color for your walls, a primer might not seem necessary. The dark color will just cover up the lighter one, right?

Pro Answer:  Yes and no. While you will have coverage over the light color, you may not get the best version of the dark color you want. Also, primers are useful for smoothing out discolored spots on walls due to repairs. As a result, the paint color will have a completely smooth finish.  To make sure your walls look their best and have the richest color possible, using a primer is important.

Myth: Taping isn’t necessary.  Taping is time consuming. It must be applied carefully around corners and smoothed down firmly along edges to ensure a crisp paint line. However, this may not always guarantee a perfect line.

Pro Answer:  This is true! Sometimes, removing the tape creates more of a problem if the wrong kind of tape was used on the wrong surface. Some walls need delicate painting tape, like walls that have been previously painted or are very old. This myth is more of a precaution about the usage of different kinds of painting tape, since many more exist now for dealing with various surfaces. With more options available in tape and flat edge brushes, the myth becomes a case by case decision and how comfortable people are with their painting skills.

Myth: You should never paint the ceiling. Painting the ceiling can make a space look or feel smaller.

Pro Answer:  When looking at a room, we take in every aspect of it and the ceiling is no exception. Any color palette for a room, whether it is soothing and neutral or bright and gem toned, should encompass the entire space. This includes the ceiling, which can be used for an accent color to bring out smaller detail colors in a room, or a different shade of a neutral color for transitioning. Either way, leaving a ceiling unpainted can make your home decor look and feel somewhat unfinished. Include the ceiling to create a finished and cohesive look.

Myth: Painting with dark colors shrink a space. Similar to the ceiling myth, many believe that painting with a dark color diminishes the size of a room.

Pro Answer:  Ultimately, this will depend on how much light is available in the room and the décor. Rooms with large windows bringing in lots of light would benefit from dark colors when trying to achieve a dramatic look. Also, if the furniture and décor is light colored, then a dark wall color adds personality and gives the room a sense of depth without appearing small. Consider the space that you want painted and then decide if a dark color will enhance the space.

These myths were busted by the professionals at Framingham painters.