How to Paint a Room: A Comprehensive Guide
Updated: Mar 13
Painting a room may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be an enjoyable experience. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced DIY enthusiast, here are some tips to help you paint your room like a pro.
The first home my wife and I purchased was a starter home. It was a starter home that needed a TON of work. We purposefully bought it like that. We both love challenges and we both love to work hard toward a goal. This home gave us an opportunity to push ourselves and see what we could make together. The great part about buying a home that needs a ton of work is in the end you can reap pretty serious benefits.
One of the single largest contributors to our family’s net worth is the effort we put into that home and the rewards (think $$) we gained after the home was sold. In the rest of this article, you will learn how to paint a house interior.
Why paint a house interior
The painting was a big part of the remodeling efforts in that first home. We painted every inch of the house inside and out! It took us about 2 years to get it all done, but in the end, it was so well worth it. Painting the interior of a house is a cheap and fairly easy way to make large visual changes to a home that buyers will notice. This is the type of change that can really add value quickly.
In total, we spent approximately $300 to purchase supplies and paint for our first large painting project and about $50-$75 on each subsequent room we painted. In the end, this effort helped us sell our house for over $50,000 more than we originally bought it. Having spent about $750-$1,000 on paint and supplies in total means we really got a large bang for our buck. So, if you are looking for a small cost that equals a huge return, look no further than painting the interior of your house!
When you set out to paint a house you have two key areas to think about. First, what should you paint first and why. Second, what paint and products do I use to get the best look. You also will need to determine what color(s) you will be painting everything with, but that really isn’t my area of expertise so I’ll leave that choice up to my readers.
What is the correct order to paint a room?
The correct order to paint a room is from top to bottom. Start with the ceiling, then move on to the walls, and finish with the trim. This will help prevent drips and splatters on the newly painted surfaces.
When creating your plan for what to paint and when I would suggest you start with the large living spaces first. Typically you will have a couch, TV, and some other large furniture that will be put in place and tough to move later on. It will also very quickly change one of the main areas any future buyers would see. This is a great way to make a really positive first impression should you plan on selling your house in the next few years. In our split level this meant the entryway up to the living room. Since the living and dining room didn’t have anything separating them and shared a large wall we decided to paint these spaces at the same time, before really settling in.
The challenge this created was where to put all our stuff. Thankfully we live in the midwest where many houses come with an attached garage. So we took all the furniture that would eventually live in the living room and dining room, unloaded it in the garage, covered it with blankets and sheets, then proceeded to paint approximately 500 sq ft of space on the upper level. One additional benefit of having this large space painted and ready for our furniture was that as we moved on to painting other rooms in the house we always had this completed space we could put all our furniture and a nice place to relax during all the hard work of painting.
After we finished painting the living/dining room we moved on to each of the bedrooms and office. The best part here, we had space to move our furniture and could take our time. For those with kids (we didn’t have any at the time) you can typically get a room cleared and painted within a weekend. For the kids it just means they get to camp out in the living room which could be a cool adventure for them.
You will notice in the after picture that the flooring has changed, the counter tops are gone, and a few half walls are gone as well. I'll get in to those changes within future articles. Updated flooring, if you can do it yourself, is another great way to add value quickly!
What products to use
When we first set out painting our house I purchased the cheapest products I could find. Paintbrushes, trays, rollers, the paint itself, was all as cheap as I could find at the local hardware store. What I came to find out is a little extra investment in my materials makes the painting significantly easier. The rollers and brushes wouldn’t apply paint as evenly. The paint would cover as well. So in the end I was applying more paint and buying brushes after nearly every room we painted. The lesson to be learned here, if you are going to buy a house, take on the effort of painting much of it, with the intention of getting value out of it when you sell, then spring for the good paint brush, the good rollers, the nice tray, etc. Because in the end you will be saving money, the job will look closer to professionally done, the job will go faster, and help you maximize the value you get when you sell.
Here is a quick run down of the products I prefer to use and that have served me well.
Paint Brushes: Purdy XL 3 Pack
This three pack has your most common and useful brushes. A 1” angled brush for cutting the ceiling, a 1.5” angled brush for cutting the ceiling or baseboard/trim, and a 2” flat brush for larger areas like painting a door
Paint Rollers: Wooster ⅜” Nap
I prefer Wooster here for a few reasons. First, you can buy in bulk on Amazon and have them shipped to your door. Second, after using the rollers I could buy locally vs these I just found the quality to be better with Wooster.
Paint Trays: Wooster Brush Metal Tray
There will be a theme regarding my preferred brand for the remaining products here. Wooster Brush is a great brand, they carry all the products you could need, and the quality is really high. I prefer using a metal tray vs plastic just because they hold form better. I’ve also found they are easier to clean when the job is done. I actually just let the paint dry and peel it out, but only when I’m not using a liner.
Paint Tray Liners: Wooster Brush Paint Tray Liner
Tray liners make for quick and easy clean up. Just ensure you buy a liner that fits snugly within the tray you have as not all are made the same size. When it comes to finishing the job quickly I prefer a tray liner to help make clean-up a breeze.
Drop Cloth: An old sheet
I prefer to go really cheap here and just lay out an old sheet. Heck, lay out a new sheet if you have to, just try not to get paint on it. If you plan to paint professionally a good drop cloth is valuable, but the DIYer can save some money here and just use something they have laying around
Paint: Sherwin Williams
The quality and coverage with their paint isn’t matched by big box options. Pretty straight forward here.
Those are your basics when it comes to painting supplies. So to recap, make sure you have all the right supplies, don’t skimp because that will come back and reflect in the quality of craftsmanship and your ability to maximize profit if/when you are looking to sell your home. If you plan to paint every inch of the house inside and out, like my wife and I did, then start with the large living spaces first. Doing that will ease your pain as you move into other parts of the house.
How do you paint a room?
Painting a room for beginners can be overwhelming, but with these steps, you'll be able to achieve a professional-looking finish in no time:
Prepare the room by covering the floors, furniture, and fixtures with drop cloths or plastic sheets.
Clean the walls with soap and water to remove any dirt or dust.
Fill any holes or cracks with spackling compound and sand the surfaces until smooth.
Apply painter's tape along the edges of the walls, trim, and ceiling to create clean lines.
Prime the walls with a primer to ensure proper adhesion and coverage.
Paint the walls with a brush or roller, starting from the top and working your way down.
Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying a second coat if needed.
Remove the painter's tape before the paint dries to prevent peeling.
What is the proper way to paint interior walls?
The proper way to paint interior walls is to use long, smooth strokes with a brush or roller. It's essential to apply a consistent amount of pressure to avoid streaks or uneven coverage. Additionally, always use quality paint to ensure a durable and long-lasting finish.
Is it hard to paint your own room?
Painting your own room can be a fun and rewarding experience. While it may require some time and effort, it's not necessarily hard, especially if you follow the proper steps and techniques.
Do you paint sitting or standing?
While some people prefer to paint sitting down, it's generally recommended to paint while standing up. This will allow you to move around and reach all areas of the walls and ceilings more easily.
How do professional painters paint a room?
Professional painters follow a similar process as beginners, but with a few additional steps:
Assess the condition of the walls and make any necessary repairs.
Apply a coat of primer to ensure proper adhesion and coverage.
Use a high-quality paint and tools for a more professional-looking finish.
Apply multiple coats of paint as needed, ensuring proper drying time between coats.
Clean up the area thoroughly after painting.
Is there a wrong way to paint walls?
While there is no wrong way to paint walls, some techniques and tools may produce better results than others. For instance, using cheap or low-quality paint may result in uneven coverage and peeling. Similarly, applying too much paint at once may cause drips and streaks.
What should not be done while painting interior walls?
Here are some things to avoid while painting interior walls:
Don't rush the process. Take your time and apply multiple coats if necessary.
Don't paint in humid or extremely hot conditions, as this may affect the drying time and adhesion of the paint.
Don't apply too much paint at once, as this may cause drips and streaks.
Don't forget to stir the paint thoroughly before applying it to the walls to ensure consistent color and texture.
Don't use a dirty or worn-out brush or roller, as this may affect the quality of the finish.
Don't paint over wallpaper, as the paint may not adhere properly and may cause the wallpaper to peel.
What should not be done before painting interior walls?
Here are some things to avoid before painting interior walls:
Don't skip the cleaning process. Make sure to remove any dirt, dust, or grease from the walls before painting.
Don't forget to fill any holes or cracks in the walls and sand them down until smooth.
Don't apply paint to wet or damp walls, as this may affect the adhesion and drying time of the paint.
Don't forget to remove any wallpaper or old paint before painting, as this may affect the quality of the finish.
By following these tips and techniques, you'll be able to paint your room like a pro and achieve a professional-looking finish. Remember to take your time, use quality paint and tools, and always follow the proper steps to ensure a durable and long-lasting result. With a little patience and effort, you'll be able to transform your room into a beautiful and inviting space.
How do you paint a room?
Painting a room for beginners can be overwhelming, but with these steps, you'll be able to achieve a professional-looking finish in no time:
Prepare the room by covering the floors, furniture, and fixtures with drop cloths or plastic sheets.
Clean the walls with soap and water to remove any dirt or dust.
Fill any holes or cracks with spackling compound and sand the surfaces until smooth.
Apply painter's tape along the edges of the walls, trim, and ceiling to create clean lines.
Prime the walls with a primer to ensure proper adhesion and coverage.
Paint the walls with a brush or roller, starting from the top and working your way down.
Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying a second coat if needed.
Remove the painter's tape before the paint dries to prevent peeling.
You will find more details below:
Prep your space
This means cleaning the walls with a damp cloth to ensure they are free of dust so your primer sticks better. This also means filling any minor holes, fixing any major drywall issues, and overall just making sure the surface is clean and smooth and ready to take on paint.
