How to Paint a Room?

Step 1: Prep Your Work Area

The first step, and the key step, is prep. Don't run out of paint in the middle of your project. The general rule when buying paint is one gallon will cover about 400 square feet. Use the old "L x H" equation to get the square footage of each wall. For the trim, use length—in feet—and .5 for the width.

Step 2: Work From Top to Bottom

The general plan is to work from top to bottom. Do the ceiling, then the walls, and finish with the trim. If you're using more than one gallon, mix them in a 5-gallon bucket to ensure color consistency—this is called boxing. A smaller cut bucket works great for the edges. Painting the ceiling is a similar process to how you'll paint the walls—brush the edges then use a roller. Remember, to avoid splatter, don't roll too fast. Once it's dry you can mask off the edges with painter's tape and start on the walls. To paint the edges, or cutting in, dip the brush about a third of the way into the paint and tap it against the sides—no scraping. Holding the brush like a pencil, paint with smooth strokes, feathering out the edges to prevent runs. Getting a little bit on the trim won't matter since you're painting that later, but try not to be super messy.

Step 3: Don't Submerge Your Rollers (a little goes a long way)

Now for the roller. If you're using a bucket, you'll need a roller grid. For pans, use a liner for easy cleanup. To help the paint load, first, dampen the roller cover with a wet rag. Dip just a little way into the paint and roll a few times to even it out. Resist the urge to submerge the roller, it'll make a mess. Starting near the edge, roll the paint on in a zig-zag pattern. It helps to roll in several directions to get good coverage, especially on textured walls. Go slow to avoid paint splatter. And don't press and squeeze the roller to get more paint out of it—just reload. Work in 4-foot sections, from top to bottom. Once you get going you can go back along the edges.

*A Few Tips:

Turn the roller sideways to get really close to the ceiling and baseboards. And to remove buildup and runs, lightly roll down over the painted areas. This is called, laying off. Paint one wall at a time for each coat, two coats for the room. If you need to take a break, cover your bucket, and wrap up your brush and roller. Put them in the fridge if you'll use them the next day. After the walls are completely dry, grab some painter's tape for the trim work. Run it against the wall-trim edge and press it down with a plastic putty knife. Now you'll have straight lines on your trim. Once you've painted the trim, you'll want to remove the tape. A knife can help cut along spots where it's stuck. Remove it shortly after it's dry. This will prevent peeling. Some tapes have specific removal time recommendations, so make sure you check before you pull it off.

Step 4: The Cleanup

Finally, the cleanup. For latex paints, run the brush under water and use a cleaning brush to clean the paint from the bristles. Work some hand cleaner into it, rinse again and reshape the brush. Use a 5-in-1 tool for roller covers and store upright. How about that for some awesome impact? Remember, take your time and enjoy great results.

Final thoughts:

We have to admit, not everyone has an eye for interior paint jobs. Our house’s interior colors play a big part when it comes to creating an overall home vibe. Painting your interiors goes way beyond the dipping, dabbing, and rolling of your paint tools, it’s the overall color that sets the mood and tone of the entire house. Now that you've learned how to do it, here are some useful tips for doing this DIY project smooth and easy.

• Don’t skip the cleaning

No one would want to apply a fresh coat of paint to a wall grimed with dust and dirt. Part of your paint preparation is cleaning your walls with soap and water. By doing this, you’ll let your walls become a fresh canvas ready to be splashed on. 

• Pre-plan your paint color, type, and finish

Unless you want to end up spending more than you’ve originally planned, thinking things ahead would save you more time and money. Always remember that it isn’t just about the color, it is also about the type and finish of your paint (aka “sheen”). You can choose between water-based paint vs oil-based paint, opt for enamel or primer, or simply pick among different types of paint sheens: flat, matte, eggshell, and satin.

• Invest in your paint tools and supplies

Your tools would be key to your paint’s consistency. This is particularly important when you are doing a DIY paint job. If you already have innate talent when it comes to painting, matching it with quality tools would surely give you better results. Doing some research or asking the supply store would provide you with more ideas when painting your interiors.

• Test your colors out

Now that you have gathered all the things you need for painting, it’s time to choose your palette. Whether it’s a single color or multicolor, trying samples first is one wise move. You don’t need to guess how this color will look on your wall, you can simply buy sample pints and test them out. Spending a few dollars for paint samples is much more worth it than purchasing gallons of paint colors that will not work.

• If in doubt, hire the experts!

It will always be wise to hire experts when it comes to updating your house. They’re the best person to turn to when you start having second thoughts. Besides, there are a bunch of home remodeling companies who also offer interior paint services. It would not only save you time, but it would also save you money since you’ll end up buying the necessary materials for your interior painting project.

Painting rooms maybe someone else's bread and butter but if you think you'll need a hand in doing this, Eano Home Renovation can be of help! Because aside from our home remodeling packages, we also offer paint services. You need not worry about finding the best equipment and brands of paint for updating your house, Eano can do that for you! Don't hesitate to leave us a message and we'll get back to you with a free quote in no time!

Sources/references:

https://www.newlinepainting.com.au/20-things-about-interior-painting/

https://www.howtogeek.com/320201/the-different-types-of-paint-and-when-to-use-them/

https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-know-how/painting/10-things-you-must-know-about-interior-painting-pictures