Painting is one of the best do-it-yourself (DIY) jobs for home improvement that anyone can do.
All it takes to bring some new life into your interior walls is a little time, patience, and following a few simple painting rules.
Before you start painting your desired wall, you will need to get your hands on a few painting items to make the job easier and look more professional. Follow this in-depth guide on how to paint a room, and you will even surprise yourself with how fast and neat the finished room will look.
Tools and Materials Needed to Paint a Room
- Wall cleaner
- Painter’s tape
- Paint roller and extension pole
- Paint and paint tray
- Paintbrushes
- Sandpaper
- Drop cloth
- Putty knife
- Step ladder
Step By Step Guide On How To Paint A Room
Step 1: Choose a Paint Color and Finish
The options are endless when selecting the right paint colour for the room, especially when you have to counsel with your partner first before choosing. You’ll also have to decide on how much paint you’ll need and the right colour. From warm to bold or a cool shade, it’s also important to take into consideration the different types of finish
Gloss finish - Glossy paint reflects the light in any room. It looks great in rooms with wooden furnishings, and it’s easily washable
Semi-gloss finish – If you’re looking for durable paint that will reflect enough light and look great in rooms choose semi-gloss. It can get cleaned frequently, like the kitchen and bathroom
Matte finish – A matte finish works well on uneven walls with small imperfections because it doesn’t reflect the light.
Satin finish – A satin finish is smooth with only a bit of shine and is best used in high-traffic areas. Kids’ play areas, hallways, living rooms and bedrooms are great examples of places to use the satin finish.
Step 2: Cover floors and furnishings
One of the worst things about painting a room is that it’s a messy job. Painting a new room can easily destroy your favourite furnishings if the proper coverings are not in place before opening the paint tin.
One of the best ways to protect your floors, door and window frames, and furnishings from paint droplets and splatters is to use fabric drop cloths to cover everything. Using plastic drop cloths is not advisable as they can be slippery and easily moved when stood on.
Step 3: Prep the Trim and Walls
When painting a wall, it’s necessary to clean them with wall cleaner to remove any dirt, cobwebs, and grease before doing any patching or painting.
To understand if your wall has any bumps or indents, shine a torch on them for an inspection and fill in any small holes or cracks with a patching compound. Remove any nails or peeling paint, then finally sand all the patches with sandpaper for a smooth finish.
Cover any plug sockets or switch plates with masking tape or remove them, and prime the walls and ceilings.
Step 4: Tint the Primer
Professional painters always prime the walls and ceilings first. A primer is used as the first layer coverage to prevent paint bleeds. It also improves adhesion, reducing the chance of paint peeling and blisters forming.
Step 5: Start Off By Painting the Ceiling
A good painter will paint the ceiling first and the walls last so that any paint drips or paint splatters from the ceiling can be rolled over.
- Pour the paint into the paint tray, just enough so that you can carry it standing on the step ladder and use an angled paint brush to paint the edges of your ceiling.
- Dampen the roller before using it with water or paint thinner and dip it into the paint tray. Remove the excess paint so that it doesn’t drip everywhere.
- Paint the whole ceiling from one end to the other using the extension pole, rolling in the same direction.
- Once the ceiling is completely painted, have a look to see if it needs a second coat, and if it does, roll in the opposite direction to the first coat.
Step 6: Paint the Trim Before the Walls
Just like the ceiling, you should paint the wall parameters (known as the trim) using an angled brush.
Once you have painted the trim, let it dry, then use painter’s tape on the trim and continue to paint all of the walls. If you have the trim in the same colour as the walls, you can skip the taping step.
Step 7: Apply Tape Along the Edges of the Trim
Before you start painting the walls, you should apply painter’s tape around the edges of the trim so that you don’t get any paint on it. Plus, it will avoid contrasting brush and roller marks, leaving you with a perfect line between the ceiling and wall.
Step 8: Cut In the Edges of the Wall with a Paintbrush
Use your paintbrush to cut in around the edges of the taped wood trim (around 2-inch thickness) before using the paint roller on the walls.
Cutting in blends better with the wall paint, leaving you with a professional finish at the end.
Step 9: Roll Paint the Walls
Pour the paint into the tray and gently roll the roller backwards and forth in the well so that the roller is well covered in paint. Avoid using too much paint at this stage. Work your way from the base of the wall to the ceiling, rolling as many times as possible without reloading the roller to ensure it’s completely coated in paint.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Step 10: Remove Tape and Tidy up
Once the wall is fully painted, score along the tape edge using the putty knife and peel the tape from the trim. Clean the brush and roller with hot soapy water, remove all of the cloth, and open the windows to let the fresh paint smell out.
Key Takeaways
- Choose the right paint color and finish considering the room's ambiance and practicality.
- Protect floors and furniture with drop cloths before painting.
- Prepare the walls by cleaning, patching, and priming for a smooth finish.
- Paint ceilings first to avoid drips on finished walls.
- Use painter's tape for clean edges and avoid paint on trim.
- Apply paint with rollers for even coverage, starting from the top.
- Remove tape carefully after painting for neat edges.
Looking for a Professional House Painter in Newcastle?
Hunter Coast Painting can handle all aspects of your painting project from preparing the surface to cleaning up any messes. Our team of professional residential painters offer a range of painting services in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Request a free quote today – contact Hunter Coast Painting and talk to an expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Share
Gavin, is the founder and director of Hunter Coast Painting who are experienced Newcastle Painters. Combining 10 years experience in the industry and having worked on multi-million dollar homes in Europe and Australia, Gavin is able to provide a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Gavin Kane
Gavin, is the founder and director of Hunter Coast Painting.
Combining 10 years experience in the industry and having worked on multi-million dollar homes in Europe and Australia, Gavin is able to provide a wealth of knowledge and experience.