How to Paint a Room

Painting a room yourself can save you money as opposed to hiring a painter. It also can be a fun project that you and your family may enjoy for years to come.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paint
• 2 1/2" Paint Brush (I prefer Purdy Brand)
• 5 Gallon Bucket
• Pain Screen (for bucket)
• Paint Roller
• Roller Pole
• 6' Ladder
• Drop Cloth (I prefer cloth)
• Primer (I prefer Kilz Brand)
• Roller Cover
• Water

1. First you much prepare your room for painting. See the link below for my article that will explain how to do this.

2. Move the furnishings out of the room or is the room is large, you may be able to move some of the larger furniture pieces into the center of the room. Cover any remaining items with drop clothes.

3. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove all outlet and switch covers. Put all covers and screws into a plastic bag so that they do not get lost. A simple tip is to take switch covers off and put the screws back into the screw hole so that you always know where they are.

4. Use drop clothes to cover any exposed flooring.

5. Shake paint can well. Open and dump entire can into your 5 gallon bucket.
   
   Mount the paint screen onto the bucket.

6. Begin by rolling out the ceiling using the roller pole, roller, and roller cover.
   
   You can overlap onto the walls to ensure that you are getting paint into all of the corners.

7. Rinse out the roller cover, paint brush, and bucket.

8. Let the ceiling cure for approximately 24 hours.

9. Prepare your paint as in step 5 leaving a small amount of paint in can. Use this paint to dip your paint brush into.
   
   Using your ladder, cut in along the ceiling line using your brush.

10. Repeat cutting in around the corners and base board.

11. Using your roller pole, cover, and roller, roll out the area of the cut in wall.

12. Repeat until all walls are covered.

13. Let paint cure for no less than 4 hours and repeat application. Most walls will require two coats to cover.

14. Clean all paint equipment and store for later use.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use the same side down for your drop clothes. This will help to ensure flooring stays clean.
• If you properly care for your equipment, it will last for multiple uses.
• Assistants in the paint department will be happy to help you calculate how much paint you will need to purchase.
• You will need to prime your walls if they are bare drywall before painting them.
• If you are covering over a dark color with a lighter color, you may need to prime first.
• You can ask to have your primer tinted to match your paint.
• It is easiest to paint chair rail and baseboards, etc. prior to painting walls and ceiling. This way you can overlap onto walls and then cut in around them to create nice straight paint lines.
• You can use semi gloss paint so that it is somewhat washable.
• Using a somewhat plush roller cover will help to hide imperfections on the wall. Do not use this type of roller cover when painting very smooth walls as it adds texture.

[jenng]

on 7/22/2009 Great article on How to Paint a Room 5*

[4dogday]

on 7/3/2009 Good advice on painting a room.

[karileighk]

on 6/29/2009 Painting a room can be a lot of work but fun at the same time! Thanks for all of this helpful info. *5