Sprawling Spaces: Painting Techniques For Multi-Area Rooms

Painting a sprawling room with multiple areas can be a challenging task. To ensure the best results, it is important to plan and prepare the room before beginning the painting process. This includes removing furniture, repairing any wall imperfections, and cleaning the walls. When dealing with multiple areas, it is essential to consider the colour scheme and how the spaces will connect. Using a colour wheel or the 60-30-10 rule can help create a cohesive look. Additionally, employing advanced tools such as brush extenders and extension rollers can speed up the painting process and make it more convenient.

Prep the room

Prepping a room for painting is an important step to ensure the painting process goes smoothly and the final result looks good. Here are some detailed instructions to prep a sprawling room with multiple areas for painting:

Clear the Room

To start, remove all small furniture and rugs from the room. For larger items that cannot be removed, place furniture sliders underneath their legs or bases to make them easier to move around. This will ensure you have ample space to work in and reduce the risk of tripping over furniture or rugs.

Protect the Floors and Remaining Furniture

Use a drop cloth to cover the floors and any remaining furniture that cannot be removed from the room. This will protect them from paint drips and spills.

Prepare the Walls

Before painting, it is essential to clean the walls to remove any dirt, dust, or grease that may have accumulated. Use a duster to remove cobwebs and dust from the upper corners of the walls near the ceiling, brushing downward. If the walls are particularly dirty, you may need to use trisodium phosphate (TSP), a degreaser that can be mixed with warm water to wipe down the walls. Be sure to also sweep or vacuum the floors to pick up any dust that may have fallen.

If there are any imperfections on the walls, such as holes, cracks, or flaky plaster, use spackle or filler to fill them in and create a smooth surface. Once the filler is dry, sand it down with fine sandpaper to ensure an even finish. Pay particular attention to trim, baseboards, and mouldings, as these features can be enhanced with a fresh coat of paint. If you plan to remove old paint from baseboards, ensure it does not contain lead, especially if your home was painted before the late 1970s. If you are concerned about lead paint, consult a professional.

Tape Off Edges and Cover Outlets

If you are painting trim, mouldings, or baseboards a different colour from your walls, use painter's tape to tape off the edges between the wall and these features. This will ensure crisp, clean lines between the different colours. Also, remember to remove switch plates, vents, and electrical outlet covers. Place the hardware in labelled plastic bags and store them outside the room to keep them safe during the painting process.

Gather Your Supplies

Before you begin painting, ensure you have all the necessary supplies, including paint, brushes or rollers, primer or mist coat (especially if painting fresh plaster), painter's tape, sandpaper, gloves, sponges, and drop cloths. Check that you have enough paint for the entire project, and label the paint cans accordingly, especially if you are mixing colours.

Now that the room is prepped, you are ready to start painting! Remember to work carefully and take your time for the best results.

Choose the right tools

Choosing the right tools for painting a sprawling room with multiple areas is essential for achieving a professional and flawless finish. Here are some key considerations for selecting the appropriate tools:

Paint Rollers and Brushes:

The type of paint roller and brush you choose depends on the desired finish and the area you're painting. For large, open walls, a longer, fluffy roller transfers more paint and leaves visible pile patterns. On the other hand, a shorter, lint roller will give you a smoother finish. For painting edges, corners, and intricate areas, opt for a paintbrush. A 2 1/2-inch angled brush is ideal for trim and cutting in. Look for reputable brands like Wooster, Purdy, or Benjamin Moore for quality brushes.

Paint Trays and Liners:

A paint tray is necessary when using a roller. Opt for a heavy-duty plastic tray, as latex paint doesn't stick to it, making cleanup easier. Use disposable form-fitting plastic liners in your paint tray when switching between different paint colours to simplify the process.

Painter's Tape:

Using painter's tape along baseboards, ceilings, and other areas you want to protect from paint is crucial. Painter's tape ensures clean paint lines and can be easily removed without leaving marks or residue. Be sure to select the appropriate painter's tape for your specific project and surface.

Sandpaper and Filler:

Sandpaper is essential for smoothing walls and filling any holes or imperfections. It helps create an even surface for the paint to adhere to. Finer sandpaper is often used after coarser grades to eliminate traces. Sanding blocks are also useful for holding sandpaper and achieving an even finish. Filler or spackle can be used to cover holes and imperfections, creating a smooth canvas for your paint job.

Ladders:

For painting high walls, ceilings, or other hard-to-reach areas, a stepladder or extension ladder is necessary. Consider the height of your ceilings and your weight specifications when choosing a ladder. A standard 6-foot aluminium or fibreglass ladder is a good starting point for most spaces.

Remember, investing in quality tools will save you time and money, ensuring a smooth and professional finish for your sprawling room.

Paint the ceiling first

Painting a sprawling room with multiple areas can be a daunting task, but starting with the ceiling is a great way to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Here are some detailed instructions and reasons why you should paint the ceiling first:

Efficiency and Drip Prevention:

Working from the top down is the key to efficiency when painting any space. By painting the ceiling first, you eliminate the risk of dripping paint on the walls, crown molding, trim, or window and door frames that you paint later. This saves you the hassle of constant touch-ups and ensures a neater finish.

Surface Preparation:

Before painting the ceiling, it's crucial to prepare the surface. Remove any furniture from the room to avoid paint spatter. If removal is not possible, cover the furniture with drop cloths or blankets to protect them from paint. Check the ceiling for cracks or holes and repair them with spackle or caulk. Remove ceiling fixtures and turn off the power at the breaker box to ensure a safe working environment.

Priming the Ceiling:

Priming the ceiling is an essential step, especially if your ceiling has stains or if you're covering dark colours. Use a roller to apply a coat of latex paint primer or the appropriate primer for the ceiling's texture. Allow the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions. Priming provides a smoother finish and ensures that your chosen paint colour adheres well to the ceiling.

Choosing the Right Paint and Tools:

Select a paint colour that suits your desired aesthetic. Standard white ceiling paint brightens the room, while a coloured ceiling may make the room seem bigger. Use ceiling paint, as it is thicker and more viscous, making it less prone to dripping and better at hiding common ceiling imperfections. Choose the right roller for the job—a low-nap roller for a smooth ceiling or a thicker roller with a higher nap for a textured ceiling.

Painting Technique:

Use a paintbrush to "cut the corners" or paint the edges where the ceiling meets the wall. This ensures that you cover areas the roller might miss and helps conceal brush marks. Then, use your roller to apply paint in grid-like sections of 3 to 5 square feet each. Work in overlapping rows, slightly varying the direction of your rolling to avoid overlap marks. Continue until the entire ceiling is complete, wiping any drips immediately with a damp rag.

Use the edging technique

Painting a sprawling room with multiple areas can be a time-consuming task. Here is a guide on how to use the edging technique to get the job done efficiently:

Prepare the Room:

Start by removing all furniture and fixtures, including lights, blinds, HVAC registers, and outlet covers. Inspect the surfaces for any imperfections and repair them using a putty knife and lightweight spackling compound. Allow the compound to dry, and then use sandpaper to smooth the repaired areas. Ensure the room is well-ventilated by opening windows and using fans.

The Edging Technique:

The edging technique, also known as "cutting in," is a process where you paint the edges of the walls, windows, and corners before rolling or painting the entire wall. This helps prevent the borders from drying before you finish painting and keeps the sheen uniform.

Use a high-quality paintbrush to brush paint 2-3 inches along the edges of the walls, windows, and corners. Work in small areas at a time for the best results. Use an angled brush to apply a thick coat of paint to the edges.

Painting the Walls:

After edging, start painting primer onto the walls in 3-by-3-foot sections. Choose the appropriate roller cover for your wall surface and attach it to your paint roller. Pour the primer into a paint tray and dip the roller into the paint.

Additional Tips:

• Always start with the ceiling, then paint the walls, and finally, the baseboards, windows, and door trim.
• Use painter's tape or masking tape to mask off the inside edge of an accent wall from the rest of the room.
• Cover the floors, furniture, and fixtures with drop cloths or tarps to protect them from paint drips.
• Use brush extenders to reach high walls and corners without the need for a ladder.
• Choose a colour palette that feels connected, with each space referring to the other, either through accessories, artwork, or fabric.

By following these steps and using the edging technique, you can efficiently paint a sprawling room with multiple areas, creating a cohesive and well-painted space.

Let it dry

Painting a sprawling room with multiple areas can be a time-consuming task, and it is important to let the paint dry completely before returning the room to everyday use. Here are some detailed instructions on the "let it dry" phase:

After you have finished painting the ceiling, trim, molding, and walls, it is crucial to allow the paint to dry completely. This process can take time, and the duration depends on various factors, including room size, ventilation, and the number of coats applied. On average, you should wait at least two hours between coats, and four hours is often recommended. For a typical room, the entire painting process, including drying time, can take two to three days.

During the drying process, ensure the room is properly ventilated by keeping the windows and doors open and using fans to promote airflow. This will not only speed up the drying process but also keep the area safe and free of paint particles and strong fumes.

If you are painting multiple coats, do not be tempted to rush the drying time between coats. Allowing the paint to dry completely between each coat is essential to achieving a smooth and even finish. Failure to do so can result in streaks, peeling paint, or uneven colour.

While the paint is drying, it is best to avoid using the room for everyday activities. Keep furniture and other items out of the room until the paint is completely dry to prevent any accidental smudges or marks.

Additionally, if there are any repairs or imperfections on the walls that require spackling or sanding, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for drying time before proceeding to the painting stage. This will ensure that the repairs are thoroughly dry and ready for painting.

By following these instructions and allowing ample time for drying, you will achieve the best results for your freshly painted sprawling room.

Frequently asked questions