How to Paint a Room like a Pro Professionally?
To paint a room like a professional with the right tools, good prep work, and simple techniques. The key is taking your time to prepare properly, using quality materials, and following the right steps in order. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get results that look like a pro did the work.
Moving into a new home can be exciting, but it often comes with the need to refresh your space. Whether you're settling into your new place or just want to give your current room a fresh look, painting is one of the best ways to transform any space.
Get Ready to Paint Like a Pro
Choose the Right Paint and Tools
Pick Quality Paint for Better Results
Good paint makes a huge difference in how your room looks when you're done. High-quality paints cost more upfront, but they're more durable and offer better coverage. They also give richer colors and need fewer coats to look great.
For most rooms, here's what works best:
- Walls: Eggshell or satin finish
- Trim: Semi-gloss finish
- Ceiling: Flat or matte finish
Know Your Paint Types
Paints, varnishes and wax all contain organic solvents, so pick low-VOC or zero-VOC paints when you can. According to the EPA, VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Look for paints with 50 grams per liter or less of VOCs for safer indoor air.
Get the Right Tools
If you're splurging on great paint, you definitely don't want to pinch pennies on the application. Here's what you need:
- Brushes: 2-inch angled brush for cutting in, 1.5-inch brush for trim
- Rollers: 9-inch roller with extension pole
- Roller covers: 3/8-inch nap for smooth walls, 1/2-inch for textured walls
- High-quality painter's tape: Don't go cheap here
- Drop cloths: Canvas works best - plastic can be slippery
- Paint tray or 5-gallon bucket with screen
How Much Paint Do You Need?
One gallon of paint covers about 350-400 square feet. To figure out how much you need:
- Measure your room's width and length
- Multiply by wall height to get square feet
- Subtract doors and windows
- Buy a little extra - you can always return unopened cans
Prepare Your Room the Right Way
Clear and Protect Everything
Move and Cover Items
Take out as much furniture as you can. If something's too heavy to move, push it to the center and cover it with plastic or drop cloths. Use canvas drop cloths. Unlike plastic, they stay put without tape and aren't slippery.
Remove Hardware
Remove window hardware, door strikes, electrical cover plates, and light fixtures. Put screws in labeled bags so you don't lose them. This small step makes a huge difference in how professional your paint job looks.
Clean and Fix Your Walls
Wash Your Walls
Any cracked, flaking or peeling areas need to be lightly sanded or scraped (and then thoroughly rinsed) before applying new primer and paint. Clean greasy spots with soap and water, then wipe everything down with a damp cloth.
Fix Holes and Cracks
Fill any holes with spackle or wood filler. Let it dry completely, then sand smooth. Spot prime patched areas before painting to prevent them from looking dull or different from the rest of the wall.
Sand Glossy Surfaces
Scuff-sand the trim and windows with 220-grit sandpaper so that paint can more easily adhere. This is especially important if you're painting over glossy or oil-based paint.
Test for Lead Paint
Approximately three-quarters of the nation's housing built before 1978 contains some lead-based paint. If the existing paint is more than 40 years old, test it for lead before you start sanding. If you find lead paint, you'll need special safety steps.
Apply Painter's Tape the Smart Way
Use the Right Tape
Use blue painters' tape for crisp, professional-looking lines. Look for tape with "edge lock" to prevent paint from bleeding under it.
Apply Tape Properly
Apply the tape in six-inch increments, which makes it easier to keep in a straight line. Press down firmly as you go, then seal it by running a putty knife or damp cloth along the length.
Don't Forget to Caulk
The fewer open seams there are around your trim, the better your wall will look. Use paintable caulk to fill gaps between trim and walls. Smooth it with a damp finger and let it dry before painting.
Paint in the Right Order
Professional painters always follow the same order, and you should too:
Start with the Ceiling
Always paint ceilings first to prevent drips on the walls. If you have a drip, it will be easy to cover once you've moved to painting the walls. Use a roller with an extension pole to make this easier on your back.
Paint the Trim Next
Professional painters usually follow a certain order when painting a room. They paint the trim first, then the ceiling, then the walls. When painting trim, focus on getting a smooth finish. Don't worry if you get some paint on the walls - you'll cover it later.
Finish with the Walls
This is where most people spend their time. Take your time here and use good technique.
Master the Painting Techniques
Cut In Like a Pro
What is Cutting In?
Cutting in is a technique that allows you to create crisp paint lines where rollers can't reach. Use a 2.5-inch angled brush to paint a 2-inch stripe along edges where walls meet trim, ceiling, and corners.
How to Cut In
- Load your brush with paint (not too much)
- Use long, steady strokes
- Keep a steady hand and don't rush
- Paint about 3-4 feet at a time before rolling
Roll Your Walls the Right Way
Use the W Pattern
Paint a W shape on the wall to quickly get paint off the roller. Fill in the gaps and spread the paint evenly over an area that's between 3 square feet and 4 square feet.
Keep a Wet Edge
The key to avoiding lap marks when learning how to paint interior walls is to maintain a "wet edge," so each stroke of your roller overlaps the previous stroke before the paint can begin to dry. This prevents ugly stripes from forming.
Work from Top to Bottom
Paint from top to bottom. After you've cut in your edges at the ceiling and baseboard using a brush, use your roller to apply paint from the ceiling downward. This way, you paint over any drips as you go.
Box Your Paint
Get the paint salesperson to help you with a realistic estimate of how much paint you'll really need so that you can buy it all at once. Then, instead of using one gallon at a time, combine all the paint into one large container and mix it thoroughly. This keeps your color the same from start to finish.
Get Professional Results
Avoid Common Mistakes
Don't Rush the Prep Work
According to HGTV's professional painting contractors, the number one thing to remember when painting a room is the importance of prep work. "What is underneath your painted surface controls how well your painted surface looks". Take time to do this right.
Watch the Weather
Humidity means drips and slow drying, so avoid painting on a rainy day. According to This Old House painting experts, pick a dry day with low humidity for the best results.
Don't Overload Your Brush or Roller
Don't let the roller become nearly dry; reload it often so that it's always at least half loaded. But don't use too much paint either - this causes drips and uneven coverage.
Apply Second Coats When Needed
Most paint jobs need two coats for the best coverage and color. Allow proper dry time between coats according to the manufacturer's instructions. Don't rush this step.
Remove Tape at the Right Time
Once the paint is dry, you can't just pull the tape off the trim. Paint forms a film between the wall and the tape and removing the tape tears pieces of dried paint off the wall. Wait for the paint to dry completely, then use a sharp knife to cut through the paint film before pulling off the tape.
Choose the Right Paint Colors
Test Your Colors First
Make sure you apply the paint samples to several different walls in the room if you plan to paint the whole room. Then I like to take a full day walking through the room at different times of the day and seeing how the paint samples look with different lighting.
Consider Your Home's Style
Lighter colors can make a space feel larger and more open, while darker shades can create cozy, intimate atmospheres. Think about how the color will work with your furniture and lighting.
Don't Forget About Trim
Traditionally, a room's trim and ceilings have been painted white. But that's no longer a hard-and-fast rule. You can paint trim the same color as walls for a modern look, or choose a different color for contrast.
Safety Tips for Painting
Ventilation is Key
Whenever you start any interior house painting project, always work in a properly ventilated space. You must open all windows and doors. Use fans to move air around and wear a respirator mask if needed.
Handle Lead Paint Safely
If your home was built before 1978, the EPA requires that contractors be Lead-Safe Certified, and make sure they follow lead-safe work practices. This is especially important if you're sanding or scraping paint.
Store Paint Properly
Never allow leftover paint to freeze. Keep paint in a dry, temperature-controlled place away from kids and pets. Label containers with the paint color and room where you used it.
Clean Up Like a Pro
Clean Your Tools Right Away
It is important to properly clean your supplies so they will last you for years to come. Clean brushes and rollers with warm soapy water for latex paint. Hang them to dry so water can drain without damaging the bristles.
Store Leftover Paint
When possible, transfer extra paint to smaller containers to avoid too much air exposure. Mason jars make excellent DIY paint cans. This helps paint last longer for touch-ups later.
When to Call a Professional
While painting a room yourself can save money, some situations need a professional. Consider hiring a pro if:
- Your ceilings are very high
- You have lead paint in your home
- You're not comfortable on ladders
- You want perfect results with minimal effort
If you're moving to a new home, professional painters can help you get settled faster so you can focus on other moving tasks.
Final Thoughts
Painting a room like a pro takes patience, good preparation, and the right tools. The most important thing to remember is that probably 85% of any painting project is the preparation. Take time to prep properly, use quality materials, and follow the right steps in order.
With these tips, your next paint job will look professional and last for years. Whether you're refreshing your current home or making a new place feel like home, good paint work makes all the difference.
Remember - don't rush the process. Good paint jobs take time, but the results are worth it. Take breaks when you need them, and enjoy watching your room transform with each coat of paint.
