Things You'll Need:
- Painting tarps Paint knife Hammer Masking tape Paint brush Paint
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Step 1
Choose the color you want to paint your trim. You can either match the color of the wall, choose a slightly different shade to create a feeling of greater depth in the room, or an entirely different color to create a feeling of contrast. Buy paint samples and carefully paint a small section of the top of the trim to get a feel for which color suits your taste.
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Step 2
Lay your tarps end to end around the perimeter of the room. Make sure you have enough tarps to cover the entire perimeter, and that the tarps overlap each other slightly. Using the flap tip of a painter's knife, ease the edge of the tarp into the the corner of the wall where the carpet and the trim meet.
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Step 3
Get the edge of the tarp into the space between the trim and the carpet edge. Use your hammer to gently tap the end of the knife handle as if working a chisel on a piece of stone. Ease the tarp in. Work your way around the perimeter of the room, tucking the tarp in so that the edge of the carpet is completely covered and sealed, while the trim is as exposed as possible.
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Step 4
Tape down the opposing edge of the tarp to the carpet to keep it flat. Place another line of masking tape along the wall where the top edge of the trim meets the wall. Do not cover any of the trim, but make sure the tape covers the very beginning spot where the wall and trim meet. Do this along the full perimeter of the trim. Make sure the tape overlaps where you've torn it off and started a new piece.
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Step 5
Begin to paint the trim, working from one end around the room. Make sure you cover the side as well as the top of the trim. Be careful not to brush beyond the perimeter of your masking tape. Allow to dry. Apply a second coat if necessary.
