Painting 101 – How to Paint Rooms

After my workout the other day, my friends and I went out for coffee (tea for me!) and I mentioned that I had to get home to help my hubby paint. I was surprised when one of them asked, “How do you paint?”

Three houses and hundreds of gallons of paint later, I’m sharing everything I know about how to paint rooms.

It’s all about the prep and when you prep correctly, painting is a breeze.

How to Paint Rooms - Painting Tips and Tricks including Full Supply List so you can paint like a pro and save tons of money! kellyelko.com

Remember, most of these supplies can be used over and over in multiple rooms. I’ve provided affiliate links so you can shop my favorite painting supplies.

Supplies for Painting Rooms

1 – Interior Paint – latex paint for ceiling, walls and/or trim (if painting over oil based paint or painting woodwork you may need oil based paint so talk to a pro at the paint store to get the right paint for the job)
2 – Primer (only if needed)
3 – 2″ Angled Paintbrush – I only use this brand of paintbrush (don’t be tempted by cheap brushes – you’ll be sorry)
4 – Paint Roller and Roller Refills

Tip: This Inexpensive Painting Kit has everything you need to get started including different size rollers and tray.

5 – Extension Pole
6 – Paint Tray and Disposable Tray Refills
7 – Painter’s Tape
8 – Drop Cloths – I like These Plastic Drop Cloths
9 – Ladder
10 – Screwdriver
11 – Dusting Cloths (old t-shirts), Sponge, Mild Dishwashing Soap

Optional Supplies if Needed for Repairing Holes in Walls
Wall Repair Kit – everything you need in one packet to repair holes
or buy separately the following …
Spackling Compound
Fine Grit Sandpaper
Putty Knife

How to Paint Rooms

Clean

Don’t let dust bunnies or grease spots ruin the finish. Wipe down walls with clean cloths then put a little bit of mild dishwashing soap on a sponge and wipe down walls. Rinse with water.
Tip: If your walls aren’t that dirty, just wipe down with cotton cloths or old t-shirts.

Prep

Repair Holes and Imperfections – Use this Wall Repair Kit or spackling compound and sandpaper for a smooth finish.

Clear Room – Put large furniture in center of room and cover with tarps or Plastic Drop Cloths. Put small accessories and breakables in another room.

Tape – If you are just painting walls, use Painter’s Tape on trim, windows and door frames and around lighting if you are painting the ceiling.

If you are also painting trim, save taping until you are done painting walls. When paint is dry, tape where the trim meets the wall and use a Good Quality 2 Inch Angled Paintbrush.

Remove – unscrew all outlet and vent covers.
Tip: I like painting outlet covers the same color as my walls so they don’t stick out like sore thumbs. Just lay them all out on a piece of newspaper and apply two coats letting dry between coats.

Protect – Cover floors and furniture with plastic or fabric drop cloths. You can move the drop cloth as you move around the room.
Tip: old yoga mats make great drop cloths

To Prime or Not to Prime – Use a good quality primer if your walls are stained or badly damaged or you are changing drastically changing colors (especially if you are going from dark to light). Have the paint store add color tint to white primer if you plan on painting a dark color.

Pull large pieces of furniture into center of room and cover with drop cloths

Painting tips and tricks - pile large furniture in center of room and cover with plastic drop cloth kellyelko.com

Measure

It takes about one gallon of paint to cover approximately 350 square feet. Give the dimensions of your room (length, width and height) to the folks at the paint store and they will be able to tell you how much paint you will need.

Type of Paint

Trim – high gloss.
Bathrooms and Kitchens – eggshell (easy to clean).
Other rooms – I prefer flat paint because it doesn’t highlight imperfections (the shinier the paint, the more noticeable imperfections) and touch ups are easier.

Brush

I can’t stress this enough – quality is key. I like this Two Inch Angled Paintbrush to paint all of the areas where you taped and where a roller won’t reach as well as all corners of the room. Cared for properly, the paint brush should last a very long time.

Paint

Paint the ceiling first (you can’t go wrong with flat ceiling white), walls then trim.

Prime if necessary and let dry then paint using the W technique (instead of up and down). With a roller, start at the corner of a wall and roll on a three by three foot W pattern, then fill it in without lifting the roller. Continue in sections until you’re finished with each wall.

Go back and repeat the process for the second coat – cut in with the angled paintbrush then roll on the paint. Two coats should be sufficient but darker colors may need more.

As soon as you finish, remove painter’s tape. Wait until the next day to put outlet covers on.

Remember: (if painting over oil based paint or painting unpainted wood you may need oil based paint so talk to a pro at the paint store to get the right paint for the job)

Room taped and cut in with a 2 inch paint brush – ready for roller

Painting Tips - tape then cut in with an angled paintbrush then use roller to finish kellyelko.com

Clean Up

Clean Paintbrushes, rollers and trays – mild dish soap and water is all you need to remove latex paint. Make sure to clean brushes immediately after using (and each day if you are painting over several days).

 

It’s definitely easier with two doing the job. My husband and I both tape then I cut in and he follows me around the room with the roller.

Don’t let the supply list intimidate you. Most of these can be reused when it’s time to paint another room.

All that is left to do now is stand back and admire your work and pat yourself on the back for all the money you saved by not having to paint.

My family room after a fresh paint job in Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams.

See more of my family room makeover here.

Love this neutral gray paint Agreeable Gray kellyelko.com

Happy painting!

Paint: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
Trim: Benjamin Moore Decorators White

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5 Comments

  1. Thank you for these wonderful and all so needed tips. When I help paint the basement, I know how to get that clean professional look, thanks to you.

  2. Such a waste of paint washing brushes every day! Load roller or brush and wrap in cling film and gloss keep bristles in water squeeze out water and continue painting next day.

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