With the experience of being a professional painter at Royal Home Painters, I have done many projects, changing dingy areas into new gorgeous rooms. Many people sometimes feel that painting involves the easy task of just picking up a brush and slapping on some paint. But if you really want to paint a room like a pro, there is a method to follow. I’m going to walk you through step-by-step all you need to know, from preparation to finishing touches, so you are confidently able to paint a room yourself.
How to Paint a Room Steps:
- Gather Your Materials
- Prepare the Room
- Apply Primer
- Cut in the Edges
- Roll the Paint on the Walls
- Add a Second Coat
- Remove the Tape
- Cleaning Up
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before starting, get all of your materials ready. What I need each time I paint a room includes:
- Drop cloths or plastic sheeting
- Painter’s tape
- Paintbrushes-angled brushes for edges, flat brushes for large areas
- Rollers with the extension pole
- Paint tray
- Paint-primer and top coat
- Sandpaper
- Putty and a putty knife
- Ladder
- Stir sticks
Having all of your materials within easy reach minimizes interruptions and allows you to progress from start to finish in one smooth operation.
Step 2: Prepare the Room
The pros know that a perfectly painted room begins with perfect preparation. Here’s how I do it:
Clear the Room: If possible, remove the furniture. If this isn’t possible, pull larger pieces to the room’s center and cover them with plastic sheeting to protect against splatters.
Clean the Walls: Dust and clean the walls to remove any grime. Grease or dust can affect paint adhesion, so never skip this step.
Fix Wall Defects: Glitches in the wall, such as holes, cracks, and dents, need to be dealt with. A putty knife with filler does the job for me; sand the surface to make it even after it has dried.
Tape Off Trim and Fixtures: Professionals use painter’s tape, which allows them to get sharp, clean edges. Apply the tape around trim, windows, doorframes, and any fixtures to keep paint only where you want it.
Protect the Floor: Lay down drop cloths to catch any drips. When I paint a room, I always make sure the floors are well-protected to avoid messes.
Step 3: Apply Primer
The purpose of primer, especially, is to achieve a finish that is even and professional. When painting a room, I would always start with a primer, especially if the room has new drywall or its walls are painted with darker paint.
Select the Right Primer: If the wall colour is darker, then one will have to select a stain-blocking primer that will not bleed through. In case the colour of the wall is lighter, then a general primer would work.
Apply with a Roller: Apply a liberal amount of primer to your roller and roll in a “W” pattern for full wall coverage. Roll it out evenly and allow to dry completely before continuing.
Step 4: Cut in the Edges
When you’re ready to paint a room, it’s essential to start with cutting in the edges. Here’s how I do it:
Angled Brush: Dip the brush about one-third of the way into the paint. Tap off the excess along the edge of the can to avoid drips.
Cut in Along the Edges: I start at the corners and paint a 2-3 inch strip around the trim, ceiling, and edges of the walls. This creates a boundary to roll up to later, ensuring that there are no roller marks near the edges.
Step 5: Roll the Paint on the Walls
Now comes the main event of painting a room. Rolling is what gives you a smooth, professional finish.
Load the Roller: Pour the paint into the tray and then roll the roller through it to evenly distribute the paint in it.
Apply in a “W” Pattern: Immediately start rolling on the wall in a “W” or “M” shape. Then, fill in the gaps with smooth, vertical strokes. This technique spreads the paint evenly and avoids streaks.
Paint Small Sections at a Time: I always paint in little sections since this helps to avoid uneven drying.
Allow First Coat to Dry: Patience plays an important role here. Let the first coat dry after application. The time it takes to dry will depend on the nature of the paint; however, it generally takes a couple of hours.
Step 6: Add a Second Coat
Second coats make any room look the best, and that is my rule of thumb when painting. The reasons are even coverage and depth of colour.
Rolling Again: Follow the same technique as before for a second coat if the first coat has dried.
Look for Missed Spots: Check for light spots or missed spots. Most of the time, a second coat covers it, but look to make sure everything is covered.
Step 7: Remove the Tape
Once you like the paint coverage, it’s time to peel off the tape. Here’s how I do it to ensure a clean edge:
Peel slowly, pulling the tape at a 45-degree angle. If you do it this way, it is much easier not to take peeling paint with it. Touch-up if Needed Sometimes there is a little bleed from underneath the tape. Use a fine brush to touch up quickly.
Step 8: Cleaning Up
Once you have painted a room, cleaning up is every bit as important as the actual painting.
Clean Your Brushes and Rollers: Wash off brushes and rollers with warm, soapy water. If you will be painting again shortly, you can stick them in plastic wrap for safekeeping to keep them from drying out.
Dispose Safely: Be aware of paint and materials disposal. Many communities have regulations concerning how you should dispose of old paint and other materials.
Enjoy Your Freshly Painted Room!
These are all professional ways that no matter how long it takes to paint a room, the results always turn out satisfying. It is amazing how a fresh coat of paint can make over your space totally, making it feel cleaner and brighter, and just new.
Just follow these steps, and you too can paint a room professionally. Remember, it’s all in the preparation and technique for a great paint job. Now you know how to paint a room like a pro and are ready to tackle your space.
