How a Cheerful DIY “Drop Zone” Made This Whole Space Work Smarter
Paint is one of the most underrated tools in a DIY-er’s arsenal, and it offers a lot more room for creativity than most of us realize. You see your walls every day, so why not make them fun to look at? Even better, why not make them functional as well?
DIY-er and mom-of-two Armelis Dorville set out to do both in her twins’ room. She wanted to turn one corner of the space into an “entryway” of sorts — a fun, welcoming space for her kids to store their things and encourage them to keep their space organized themselves. She envisioned a dramatic sloping angle that carves out a bright, sunshine-yellow triangle where before there was just an empty corner. She used ScotchBlue PROSharp Painter’s Tape to mark out the design. It delivers the brand’s sharpest paint lines yet thanks to their new Edge-Lock+ technology, which provides 2x better hold than their original Edge-Lock technology. Working with a bright color and a straight line like this, Armelis knew the precision of the line would make or break the project. Learn how to replicate her project yourself, and put your walls to work!
Tools Needed
- ScotchBlue PROSharp Painter’s Tape
- ScotchBlue Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape
- 3M™Hand-Masker Dispenser M3000
- 3M High Strength Small Hole Repair, All-in-One Applicator Tool, SHR-3-AIO
- Paint
- Measuring Tape
- Pencil
- Paintbrush
- Paint Roller
- Wall Hooks
1. Prep Your Space
First, make sure your space is clean, dry, and free of imperfections. If you do have any small holes or dents, use the 3M High Strength Small Hole Repair, All-in-One Applicator Toolto fill and smooth them out. After that, wipe down the walls to ensure they’re clean of dust and tape off your baseboards, protecting the wood floor with paper using the 3M Hand Masker M3000 Dispenser and your ScotchBlue Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape.
2. Measure and Tape Off the Area with ScotchBlue PROSharp Painter’s Tape
Determine where and at what heights you want your diagonal to begin and end, measuring and marking as you go with the pencil. Armelis based hers on her kids’ heights, so that each hook will be right at eye level for each of them. She’ll install hooks along the line at the end to hold her kids’ things, so they need to be able to reach them easily.
Next, use your ScotchBlue PROSharp Painter’s Tape to define the area. To get the crisp edges you’ll need for this design, press down on the tape as you apply it to create a tight seal. You’ll also want to tape off the top of your baseboards to protect them. Your 3M’s Hand-Masker Dispenser can come in handy again here, helping adhere the tape to that thin seam using the putty-knife end.
3. Start Painting
Finally, time to start painting! Armelis chose a bright, sunny yellow hue for her twins, but you can choose any color you please. We recommend something bright for a project like this, to help define the space. Use your paintbrush to work paint into tricky areas and tight spaces, and use the roller to cover larger swaths at a time.
4. Remove Your Tape
The moment of truth! Make sure the paint is dry to the touch. Using a putty knife or razor blade, you can score along the edge of the tape to prevent paint from being pulled up. Be patient with this step: Slowly and gently lift the painter’s tape and pull it back on itself, removing at a 45-degree angle. If you need to leave the tape longer, ScotchBlue PROSharp Painter’s Tape has a 21-Day Clean Removal guarantee, meaning you can leave it up to three weeks to remove it thanks to its UV-resistant acrylic adhesive. Now take a moment to admire that crisp, clean line and your sparkling clean baseboards!
And there you have it! Armelis added a few wall hooks just underneath the line of the yellow zone where her kids would start hanging their things. Don’t forget to admire your handiwork, and remember that whether it’s your first time painting anything or you’re an old pro with the roller, you can count on professional lines every time with ScotchBlue PROSharp Painter’s Tape.