How to Paint a Room Like a Pro

Painting a room is the most common home improvement project. It’s not a hard task and you don’t need special certification to do it. But, it would help if you knew a few tips and tricks of the trade that will not only improve the quality of the end result but also decrease the time you spend on it.

The professional painters from the Fantastic Services team are here to explain in great detail how to paint a room like a pro. Follow this easy guide and your walls will be your masterpieces.

This article is for those who:

• Want to paint a room by themselves;
• Want to boast to others with their amazing paint job.

What colour should you paint your room?

Choosing the right colour for your room is an important first step and not at all a small matter. As you browse the paint in the shop bear in mind the following:

Now that you chose your colours, it’s time to gather your tools for the actual work. 

Tools you need

• Paint in the colours you have chosen;
• Paint rollers, along with an extension handle;
• Paintbrushes;
• Rags for cleaning the brushes;
• Ladder for the ceiling;
• Sandpaper for primer treatment;
• Painter’s tape to cover edges and lighting bodies;
• Paint bucket with a roller screen to refill the rollers and brushes;
• Soft cloth or nylon to cover furniture from accidental spills;
• X-acto knife and artist’s brush for the finishing touches.

How to prepare the room for painting

Before starting the actual paint job, you have to prepare the room, so it would be comfortable for you to work in.

• Remove light switch and outlet covers. Unscrew all electrical outlets and light switches, so they don’t get in the way. Place them all in one spot in a different room so they’re not in the way and you don’t lose any.
• Move the furniture out of the way. The more space you have, the easier you will work. If you have helpers who can assist taking the furniture out of the room, do so. If not, opt for moving the furniture into the centre of the room. This way you will have the freedom to work on each wall. Use large cloth coverings to protect it.
• Protect the floor, doors and windows. Lay most cloths on the floor so no drops of paint could stain it. Next, apply painter’s tape around the door and window frames, so they don’t get stained while you paint the wall around them.
• Open doors and windows. Since you’ll be handling paint, make sure to ventilate the room while you work, otherwise, you might get lightheaded. The draft will also help with the drying of the paint. If you happen to know somebody who has a respirator, ask them to lend it to you.

How to prime all surfaces for painting

Now is the time to prepare the walls and ceiling for the main job. Depending on the condition of your wall and your goals, you might have to spend some time on this step. It’s time to prepare your primer.

• Fix imperfections in the walls and ceiling. First, if your walls or ceiling have sustained damage over the years (for example holes from nails), you can fill the holes with a patching compound. Follow the manufacturer’s directions. Then, proceed to fill in the patched areas. Finally, dust the walls with a damp cloth.
• Tint the primer. Priming is important, as it blocks stains from bleeding through, and improves paint adhesion, which reduces the possibility of blisters and peeling. It’s also advisable to tint the primer toward the finished colour by mixing in a small amount of paint. This way you’ll get a better colour faster while you paint.
• Paint primer around the edges and corners. An angle brush is the best tool for that. Dip the brush in your prepared tinted primer and paint a strip along the edges and corners of all your surfaces. Maintain a wet edge as you go.
• Fill the primer around the painted edges. Next, run the roller in a zig-zag motion and work across the walls and ceiling lengthwise. Then, fill in the empty space again with zig-zags. Continue painting the primer like this, until the entire space is filled. Let the primer dry and watch for any discolouration. If you see any, you might have to apply a second coat. 
• Sand the primer. Once the second coat of the primer has dried completely, sand over it with sandpaper. Don’t sand away everything, but just enough to make a slightly rough surface. This will help the paint to bond to the wall better.

How to paint the room like a pro

Finally, it’s time to do the paint job. After you’ve cleared the imperfections from your walls and ceiling, and painted them with primer, you can finally fill in the colour you’ve always wanted.

• Prepare the paint. Share the can vigorously, before opening it to ensure proper distribution of the colour through all the contents. Then, open the can and stir the paint with a wooden stick. Make sure you have enough cans for the entire room. Then, pour the paint into a bucket and attach a screen to it.
• Use an angle brush on the edges. Just like with the primer, dip your angle brush into the bucket and tap it to remove any excess paint. Then, carefully run the paintbrush along with the trim where you want the paint to stop. It’s advisable to start with the ceiling, and the ceiling is usually a different colour from the walls. So make sure not to get any paint on the walls.
• Paint the ceiling in zig-zag. Soak the roller into the bucket and then roll it across the screen to remove excess paint. Don’t use a ladder for this one. Use an extension handle for the roller instead, and you can easily work from your spot on the floor. Just make sure the handle is metal and not plastic. Plastic handles are too flexible, which makes them hard to control. Wait for the first coat to dry before applying the second.
• Paint the walls in zig-zag. Once you’re done with the ceiling, do the same for the walls. Work on one wall at a time. Start with an angle brush to make sure you won’t stain the ceiling with your wall colour. Then, use the roller in a zig-zag motion to paint the walls. Wait for the first coat of paint to dry before applying the second.
• Add the finishing touches. Once the second coat is finished, you might still notice one or two imperfections. If you notice visible excess paint somewhere, you can use an x-acto knife to gently remove it. Or if there is any seepage, use the artist brush to fill it with colour.

Professional painters can do this job faster

Not everyone is able to paint like a pro. Very often when one attempts a project for the first time, they won’t do the best job and it will take too much time. If you don’t want to bother with the job yourself, or you simply don’t have the time, you can always opt for professional painters and decorators. Fantastic Services employs a reliable team that is ready to take up this job and offer you a neat and tidy painting service.

Takeaways

• The proper combination of neutral colours (black, grey, white) with one or maybe two vibrant colours can bring your room to life.
• Caulking, trimming and priming the walls before painting is the recipe for a good paint job;
• Instead of using a ladder for the ceiling, use a roller extension;
• Give time for the paint to dry before adding the finishing touches.

Painting can be a fun activity for the whole family of DIY enthusiasts, but one has to know the proper way to do it, and of course, find the time. If none of those things applies to you, you can always opt for professional painters to do the job for you. The Fantastic Services team is always on the line and ready for your call.

Image source: Syda Productions/shutterstock.com

Posted in Painting and Decorating Tips

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