Things You'll Need:
- Primer, if needed
- Water-based latex paint
- Paint brush or roller
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Step 1
Buy the best paint in your budget, because high-quality paint results in a nicer appearance and lasts longer in your house. Consider using low-VOC paint if you're sensitive to paint fumes. The same goes for painting implements. You get what you pay for, and if you buy a multi-pack of brushes for a dollar, it's going to look like it.
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Step 2
Prep your surface by cleaning and repairing any cracks. Blue tape works much better for masking baseboards, windowsills and doors sills than regular masking tape.
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Step 3
Prime a wall if you're painting new drywall or a surface with lots of imperfections. Paint also looks better on surfaces like wood, masonry and metal if you apply primer first.
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Step 4
Consider which type of water-based finish meets your needs. Surfaces that tend to pick up grimy fingerprints should be painted with a glossy or semi-gloss for easier cleaning. For easy cleaning without the gloss, go with a satin. However, these paints show imperfections more easily. To minimize surface imperfections, choose a flat or matte finish.
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Step 5
Calculate your interior house painting needs by multiplying the length of the walls by the height for the square footage. If you're painting the ceiling, you'll also need to add ceiling square footage. Add 25 percent to make sure you get enough paint. A gallon of paint usually covers 400 to 450 square feet. If you're painting over a darker color, you may need to apply more coats.
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Step 6
Dampen your paintbrush so that paint sticks to it better and for easier cleanup. If you finish painting for the day, but you're returning to it within the next few days, wrap brushes or rollers in plastic wrap and store in the freezer.
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Step 7
Start at the highest point and work down. Trim is always last thing you paint in your house interior.
