When it comes to painting, a lot of people are quick to turn to professionals. However, it is actually not that hard to paint a room by yourself and still get professional results. This will not only help you save money, but give you the freedom to be creative. To get the results you want, it is vital that you follow a few steps.
Here is the proper way to paint a room:
Step 1: Plan
Before you start to paint anything, make sure you clear everything out of the room. That includes furniture, ceiling fixtures, and anything else that will get in the way. This will make it a lot easier to paint the room. More importantly, cover the floor with cloths to prevent a mess. Finally, plan to paint from the top-down. So, if you want to paint the ceiling, start there before the walls.
Step 2: Repair
Fix any dents, cracks, or chips in the walls of the room. Use spackling or drywall compound to patch everything up.
Step 3: Prep the Room
Remove all outlet covers and any other attachments that will get in the way. Apply painters tape to windows and door frames, to allow yourself to easily paint around them. Make sure all the walls are dry and clean, to ensure they are ready to be painted.
Step 4: Prep the Materials
It is recommended that you ask an employee for advice when you purchase your paint. Depending on the type of paint, it may require specific brushes in order to get the right results. Ask an employee what type of brushes you should get for your specific paint. Make sure you frequently stir the paint with a paint stick while you work. This prevents the pigments from settling. It is also advised that you wear a protective hat and clothes, in case any paint drips on you.
Step 5: Using a Brush
When using a brush, dip the bristles one-third of the way into the paint. Use the edge of the paint can to squeeze off excess paint. While painting, make long, smooth brushstrokes. To paint large areas of a wall, use wall brushes (3 to 4 inches wide). For door and window frames, use a trim brush (2 to 3 inches wide). Lastly, for detailed areas, use a sash brush (1-1/2 inches wide).
Step 6: Using a Paint Roller
To load the 12-inch roller with paint, dip it halfway into the tray and roll it back to the tray's angled platform. Doing this removes excess paint from the roller, preventing you from overloading it. First, apply the paint in an over-lapping "W" pattern, then re-paint over this horizontally. Ensure that you cover all areas of the walls. Once they dry, apply a second coat of paint.
Step 7: Paint the Trim
It is now time to remove the painters tape. Remove the tape carefully so that it doesn't also remove paint from the walls. Use the sash brush to paint around the trim, and allow it to dry. A second coat of paint may also be required.
Step 8: Clean
This is probably the easiest step. You should throw out the paint trays, but keep the brushes. These can be reused if you clean them off well enough.
There you have it. A professional paint job done by yourself. For more information, check out the full
guide to painting your room.