Painting A Room: Diy Network's Step-By-Step Guide

Painting a room is a quick, budget-friendly way to give a space a new look. It is also one of the easiest home DIY projects to master. Before you start, it is important to plan and prepare. This includes choosing a colour and finish, gathering your materials, and preparing the walls. Once you have done this, you can start painting, usually starting with the ceiling, then the trim, and then the walls.

Choosing a paint colour

Start by considering the purpose of the room and the mood you want to create. Warmer colours like reds and yellows are ideal for social areas like dining rooms and kitchens, while cooler blues, greens, and neutrals are better suited for private spaces such as bedrooms and home offices. Think about whether you want a warm or cool shade and if you prefer a neutral or saturated hue.

If you're looking for a cohesive look, choose colours with similar warm or cool undertones. Muted and softer hues are excellent for open spaces, as they create a smooth flow from one area to another. Tami Ridgeway, a colour stylist for Valspar, recommends using these colours for open spaces.

Consider the lighting in the room, as it will affect the appearance of your chosen colour. Test samples of your preferred colours in the room to see how they look throughout the day, as colours may appear different under various light conditions.

You can also start with an existing object in the room or something that holds emotional value for you, like a pillow, a painting, or a scarf. Take this item to the paint store, and select three sample strips with those colours. This instantly gives you 15-18 colours to work with, as each sample strip typically offers six paint shades.

Don't forget to think beyond the walls. You can paint the ceiling, moulding, trim, and architectural features in a contrasting colour to create a bold statement or a focal point in the room.

By following these tips and considering your personal preferences, you can confidently select a paint colour that will transform your living space.

Prepping the room

Prepping a room for painting is the most important step in the painting process. The first thing to do is remove all furniture and fixtures, including lights, blinds, HVAC registers, outlet covers, and hardware. Next, inspect the walls for cracks, holes, dents, or other imperfections. Fill and repair holes and imperfections with a putty knife and lightweight spackling compound. Remove excess spackle with the putty knife and allow the compound to dry following the manufacturer's instructions. Smooth the repaired areas with fine 220-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge, ensuring the area is flush with the wall. Vacuum any dust from sanding and wipe the walls with a damp towel or sponge, allowing them to dry completely.

Before painting, it is important to clean the walls with a heavy-duty cleaner to remove dirt and grease, allowing the paint to adhere better. Some sources recommend shining a utility light on the walls to better identify defects. If you plan to paint the ceiling, tape off the borders to prevent paint from getting on the walls. Apply painter's tape to mask off trim, baseboards, windows, doors, doorknobs, power outlets, and other fixtures to protect them from paint splatters and spills. Cover the floor and any remaining furniture with drop cloths, with fabric drop cloths being preferable to plastic ones as they are less slippery.

Painting the ceiling

Preparation:

Firstly, prepare the room to ensure a smooth and efficient painting process. Remove all furniture from the room, if possible, to avoid any paint spatter or damage. For items that cannot be moved, cover them with drop cloths or blankets to protect from paint splatters. It is recommended to use cloth drop cloths instead of cheap plastic ones as they provide better protection.

Next, prep the ceiling by removing any dust, grime, or cobwebs. Paint adheres better to a clean surface, so use a duster or a damp cloth to wipe down the ceiling. Check the ceiling for any cracks, holes, or imperfections. Use spackle or caulk to repair these areas and let it dry completely. If your ceiling has stains, consider using a stain-blocking primer to cover them effectively.

For added protection, use painter's tape to mask off the tops of the walls or crown moulding. This will prevent roller marks on the walls. If you have light fixtures, vents, or ceiling fans, it is best to remove them or cover them securely with plastic bags. Remember to turn off the power to these fixtures at the breaker or fuse box for safety.

Painting:

Now, you are ready to start painting! Using a paintbrush, "cut the corners" or paint the edges where the ceiling meets the wall. This technique ensures that the roller doesn't miss any spots and helps conceal brush marks.

Attach an extension pole to your paint roller and fully saturate it with paint. It is recommended to use a roller with a low nap for smooth ceilings and a roller with a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch nap for textured ceilings. Begin painting in a corner, working in grid-like sections of 3 to 5 square feet each. This helps keep the edges wet and allows you to monitor your progress for an even coat.

Roll the paint in overlapping rows, slightly varying the direction of your rolling to avoid overlap marks. Avoid rolling directly over your head to prevent drips and spills. If you need to apply a second coat, consider painting in a perpendicular direction to the first coat for better coverage.

Clean-up:

Once you've finished painting, remove the painter's tape while the paint is still wet. Reattach any ceiling fixtures you removed earlier. Clean your tools with warm soapy water and ensure you wash your hands thoroughly.

By following these steps, you can effectively paint your ceiling and transform the look of your room. Remember to take the necessary safety precautions and always work in a well-ventilated space.

Painting the trim, moulding, and baseboards

Once you've selected your paint, begin by preparing the surface. Remove any furniture and fixtures from the area, and use a damp sponge or cloth to clean dirt, grime, or grease from the trim. If there are any cracks, holes, or dents, fill them with a lightweight spackling compound and let it dry. Then, use sandpaper to smooth out the surface, starting with 80-grit sandpaper and moving to 100- and 120-grit. Wipe away any dust with a tack cloth or a damp sponge.

Next, apply painter's tape to protect the surfaces surrounding the trim. Place the tape along the floor under the baseboards and above them on the wall, as well as around window and door frames. Press the tape edges firmly to create a good seal and prevent paint bleed. Spot-prime any repaired areas or visible knots in the wood, and once the spot priming is dry, apply an even coat of primer to all trim surfaces. After the primer dries, lightly sand the trim using 120-grit sandpaper to eliminate brush strokes or paint drips, and remove the dust with a damp sponge or tack cloth.

Now you're ready to start painting. Mix the paint with a paint stick and pour it into a clean paint tray. Dip an angled brush into the paint, covering no more than 1/2-1" of the brush. Use short, horizontal brush strokes to apply the paint to the trim, and then smooth over the series of short brush strokes with one long brush stroke. Repeat this process until the trim is fully painted, and before the paint dries, carefully pull the tape off the wall.

Painting the walls

Planning

Before you start painting, it is important to plan the look of your finished project. Consider whether you want to paint an accent wall or the entire room in the same colour. Think about the general colour characteristics: do you want a warm or cool shade? A neutral or saturated colour? If you have existing furniture or art, consider how the shade will complement them.

Choosing the paint

Head to your home centre or paint store and ask them to mix three or four colour samples for you. You can also use online tools to preview different colours on the walls. However, do note that colours can look different in real-world conditions, so it is important to test the samples on your walls. Apply the paint samples to several different walls in the room and observe how they look at different times of the day and under different lighting conditions.

Preparing the walls

Before painting, it is important to prepare the walls. First, remove all furniture and fixtures, including lights, blinds, HVAC registers and outlet covers. Then, carefully inspect the walls for cracks, holes, dents or other imperfections. Use a putty knife and lightweight spackling compound to fill and repair holes and cover imperfections. Remove excess spackling with the putty knife and let it dry. Use sandpaper or a sanding sponge to smooth the repaired areas, and wipe the walls clean with a damp towel or sponge. If your walls have imperfections, opt for a flat or matte finish as these are more forgiving than semi-gloss and gloss finishes.

Painting

Now, you are ready to start painting! It is recommended to start with the ceiling and then paint the trim, moulding or baseboards before the walls. Tape off the borders of your ceiling and the trim to prevent paint from getting on the walls. Pour the ceiling paint into a small container and use an angled paintbrush to paint the edges of the ceiling. Then, use a roller to paint the rest of the ceiling. Once the ceiling is painted, let it dry, and then tape off the trim. Now, you can start painting the walls.

Frequently asked questions