A Mess-Free Guide to Painting a Room

Painting a room is an easy and inexpensive way to breathe new life into your space. After you have picked your color and paint finish, you may think you need to hire an expert to achieve professional looking results. Save money by using our tips below on how to neatly paint a room!

1. Take Time to Plan Your Approach

You don’t need to be a professional painter to achieve the results you’re hoping for. The first (and most important step) to a successful paint job is to get organized and plan your job before it begins. If you need to paint the ceiling, plan to begin there and then work on the trim, saving the walls for last. It is best to work top down when painting, because it can help you correct any drips as you go.

2. Prep the Room

Start by moving all of the furniture out of the room, removing any electrical switches and outlet covers, and laying drop cloths to cover the floor. By removing all obstructions, it will help you work faster and make fewer mistakes. For obstructions you can’t remove, like windows, doorframes and moldings, use painters tape to keep them free of any paint splatters or drips. To ensure your paint job lasts as long as possible, be sure to remove dust, spider webs, and other dirt from your wall.

3. Prep Your Materials

With so many different types of interior paint and finishes, certain brushes will work better with the paint you choose. When purchasing your paint from your local paint store, be sure to ask what kind of brush and roller work best for your job. Once you have all of the materials you need, be sure to use a paint stick to mix the pigments in your paint frequently. If your paint job requires multiple gallons of paint, you can avoid color variations by mixing all of the cans together in a separate container. This technique is called boxing.

4. Begin Painting Along the Edges with a Brush

While you may want to start with big spaces and work your way to the smaller details, it is advised to begin painting along your ceiling, floor, trim and corners where your two walls meet. Use long, smooth brushstrokes to avoid streaks and marks. This is called cutting in

5. Switch to a Paint Roller

While the paint along the edges and trim are still wet, in most cases you may begin using your paint roller and overlap on the spot you just painted, getting as close to the edge as possible. This will ensure you have a smooth and seamless finish in your room. Then, work your way to the center of the wall using an overlapping vertical W pattern. Once you have made sure you did not miss any spots, a second application is usually required to fully enjoy the color you chose. Once the walls are dry, remove the painter’s tape carefully and use a brush to paint the trim.

6. Clean Up

While you may be tired from all of the work you just did, it’s important to clean your brushes as soon as you have finished painting. This will ensure no paint dries out your brushes and rollers. For latex and water-based paints, let your brushes soak in soap and water. You can use a paint comb to clean the bristles of your brush. After your brushes have soaked, squeeze out any excess water and hang your brush by the handle. This will allow the water to drain out of your brush. If you have any leftover paint, clean the outside edge and interior rim of the paint can and store in a dry, temperature-controlled location.

Best Paint Stores in Pennsylvania

Is your home in need of a fresh new coat of paint? Be sure to stop by any of our PA locations, or shop online to get started today! With a wide variety of top paint brands, like Benjamin Moore, Coronado Paint and Pittsburgh Paints, we are guaranteed to have the color and finish you are looking for. For more information about our stores, be sure to contact us today.