LEARN HOW TO PAINT A ROOM

The No1 cure-all for boring rooms, old junk and family hand-me-downs!

Learn basic painting techniques and special effects.

Help wall painting go smoothly and quickly by following our easy steps and visuals.

 

How to Paint a Room: Materials

What You’ll Need:

• Masking tape
• Plastic tool (to press masking tape)
• Trim paintbrush
• Short-nap roller
• Roller frame
• Roller tray
• Extension rod (optional)
• Rags
• Stepladder
• Circulating fan (optional)
• Interior latex paint

 

How to Paint a Room: Step 1

Before you start, tape off the trim.

A few tips:

· Dispense masking tape in a long continuous strip to prevent paint from seeping between gaps.

· Firmly press down the masking tape edges, running a plastic tool along them to set and seal the tape.

This heats the tape edges, creating a barrier that prevents paint from seeping underneath.

· An hour after painting, remove the tape.

How to Paint a Room: Step 2

Load your brush: Dip one-third of the bristles into the paint. Lift the bristles out of the paint and gently tap them (don't wipe) against the rim of the paint can. The point is to load the brush with paint just short of dripping on the way to the wall.

Beginning at a corner, cut in paint with a 2- or 3-inch trim brush. Use long strokes, smoothly blending each stroke into the next. Cut in only as much area as you will be able to roll on while still maintaining a wet edge.

How to Paint a Room: Step 3

Use a 3-inch flat brush to outline walls and ceilings—a technique known as “cutting in.” An angled brush will work better in tricky areas that require more brush control. Leave a loosely brushed edge that allows the trimmed area to blend in when you paint the wall.

How to Paint a Room: Step 4

Brush on paint at the line where the wall and ceiling meet.

Tape off the ceiling using quick-release painter's tape, or carefully brush on paint at the ceiling line if you have a steady hand.

Apply the paint in long sections, each about two brush-widths wide.

Brush up to unload the paint, then down to set the paint, then up again to remove brush marks.

Tip: Wrap the ferrule of the brush with painter's tape to catch drips.

How to Paint a Room: Step 5

Fill a paint tray with wall paint that's been thoroughly stirred.

Load the roller by dipping it into the tray and rolling it up the tray's ramp until the roller is saturated.

Use a roller mounted on an extension rod to reach high spots. Work in small sections (4-foot areas).

Roll on the first vertical strip of paint, working the roller into the wet brushed-on portion of the wall.

Continue to roll paint along the wet edges of the wall.

How to Paint a Room: Step 6

In the open, central area of the wall, roll on paint in a W or M pattern.

Roll back over areas where you've applied paint to ensure complete coverage.

Work in approximately 3-foot-square sections, then move down or across and roll on more paint, using the same motion.

How to Paint a Room: Step 7

When a section of wall is painted and still slightly wet, step back about 10 feet and evaluate the coverage.

Roll over areas where the paint seems thin. Let dry. Allow paint to cure, ideally for 24 hours.

Brush another coat of paint around edges and then roll on the second coat.

Store Brushes

Cut a rectangle of heavy kraft paper or grocery bag-twice the length of the ferrule and bristles and four times the width of the brush.

Crease the paper vertically down the center. Place the brush on the paper edge and fold at the crease. Roll the brush into the paper.

Secure it with a rubber band. Hang the brush by the handle or store it flat.

DIY