How to Paint a Room in 10 Easy Steps

Choose a color

• The first question to ask yourself even before you pick up a paintbrush is: How do I choose a paint color?
• Head to your home center or paint store and have them mix three or four color samples for you.
• Test your color samples on different parts of the room to get a feel for the paint colors. “Buy a few pieces of posterboard and paint them each sample color. That way you can move them around the room to get a true feel for the color,” Rachel Otto, Benjamin Moore paint specialist at Fleury Lumber say. Keep in mind that different lighting in the room will change the color drastically.

Bonus: You can also try the Amazon Paint Finder to easily find complementary shades in seconds.

Choose a paint finish

The finish you choose will slightly alter the look of the color, and different finishes perform and look best in certain applications.

• Gloss finish ­is the most light-reflective of any paint choice and is easily washable. Great for wood trim, cabinets and doors.
• Semi-gloss finish is somewhat reflective, durable and helpful in areas that need to be cleaned regularly. Great for kitchens, bathrooms, closet doors, trim and utility areas.
• Satin finish has just a little shine, so it’s easily cleaned. Also great for high-traffic areas like kids’ bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, entryways and hallways.
• Matte and flat finishes absorb the light instead of reflecting it, so they work well on walls with imperfections. Great for bedrooms and any uneven walls or walls with texture.

mccannta - Thomas McCann Photography/Getty Images

Protect your floors and furniture

• Tape down masking paper or rosin paper to the floor and carpet along the baseboards to protect them from paint splatters and spills.
• Spread a drop cloth on the floor and over any furniture in the room you’re painting. Fabric drop cloths work better for this ­— they’re less slippery than plastic drop cloths.

Prep the walls and trim

• Before painting and patching, it’s a good idea to wash all the walls and trim with a heavy-duty cleaner such as TSP. Removing dirt and grease will let the paint stick better.
• Shine a utility light at the wall to get a closer look at the defects on the surface.
• Knock down any nail pops and bumps you find on the walls. Fill the holes and cracks with spackle or patching compound. Wearing a dust mask and gloves, sand all patches smooth with sandpaper.
• Lightly sand all walls and trim using 180 grit sandpaper, especially those painted with satin, semi-gloss or gloss paint. Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove dust.
• Apply a coat of primer over the patched areas before painting.
• Remove outlets and switch plates. Don’t forget to check out these tips for prepping walls for painting.

Paint the ceiling

• Paint the ceiling first to avoid paint splatters on your walls and trim.
• Pour about three cups of ceiling paint into a small container you can hold in one hand. Paint the edge of the ceiling along the perimeter of the whole room, using a 2-1/2-in. angled paintbrush. (This is called “cutting in.”)
• Use a 3/8-in. nap roller to paint the ceiling from one end of the room to the other. Roll the paint on in the same direction, one roller width at a time, overlapping the previous row. If a second coat is needed, roll the paint in the opposite direction you painted the first coat.
• Allow ceiling paint to thoroughly dry before painting the walls.

Paint the trim

• In most cases, paint the trim first before the walls. Apply two coats, following dry times in between. Let the paint fully dry before painting the walls.
• A few things to think about before painting the trim. Are you painting just the trim, or are you painting the windows and doors as well?
• Use high-quality semigloss acrylic enamel paint with a 2-1/2-in. angled paintbrush. Take your time, do a nice job and don’t be in a hurry.

Family Handyman

Tape along the edges

• An optional step is to apply painter’s tape (not masking tape) along the edges of the trim before painting the walls. Alternatively, you can carefully cut in with a 2 1/2-in. sash brush along the wall edges.

Cut in the walls

• It’s a good practice to cut in one wall at a time, then immediately roll out the wall while the cut-in paint is still wet. The cut-in paint will blend much better with the wall paint.
• As mentioned in Step 4, pour about three cups of paint into a small container you can hold in one hand. Using a 2-1/2-in. angled paintbrush, paint along the edges of trim and baseboards and around the perimeter of the ceiling.
  • Pro tip: Wrap your brush in plastic wrap or put it in a freezer bag to keep it from drying out between cut-in coats.

Roll paint the walls

• Be sure to stir the paint with a paint stick before you start.
• Fill the roller tray a little over half-full with paint — too much paint in the tray may spill over.
• Load the roller with paint from the paint tray and roll paint on the wall from the baseboard to the ceiling. Roll straight back down without reloading the roller to ensure the wall is covered.
• Again, load the roller with paint and start a new row overlapping the previous one. Paint the full height of the wall. The edges of the roller tend to leave paint build-up lines. Roll back over the lines and blend them in with the rest of the paint. Also, know how to paint fast with a professional-quality finish, that you’ll be proud of.

Peel tape and clean up

• Before peeling the tape from the trim and baseboards, score along the edge of the tape where it meets the wall using a flexible putty knife. (See photo.)
• Always thoroughly clean your brushes and rollers with hot soapy water.
• Properly dispose of any empty paint cans per local laws and regulations.
• Keep a photo folder on your phone or computer of all the different paint labels.

Pro tips:

• Have good light when painting – natural daylight is the best light.
• Always stir the paint for a good five minutes before painting.
• Pour all the gallons of paint into a five-gallon bucket to avoid different colors from gallon to gallon.
• Keep your paintbrush and rollers fresh in a sealable plastic bag.

FAQ

How long before I can sleep in a room after painting?

If you’ve used low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, you can sleep in a room the same day after painting. If you’ve used paint that contains VOCs, it’s best to wait at least 24 hours.

About the Expert

Rachel Otto is a Benjamin Moore paint specialist at Fleury Lumber in Easthampton, Massachusetts.