Where Do I Start When I’m Painting a Room?

When you need to paint a room, it can be difficult to know exactly where to begin. If you are feeling overwhelmed by having to paint a room, or if you simply are not sure what is the best way to go about doing it, this article will guide you through the process as well as ease any stress that you might be feeling.

Read on to learn about where to start when painting a room.

Preparation 

There are some actions you need to take prior to using the can of paint you bought. These steps will help keep any accidents from getting out of hand and make the painting process easier. 

Move Furniture Out

To prevent any paint from getting on your furniture, you should either cover it up or remove it from the room. You will thank yourself later when you see how many drops of paint have splashed onto the floor, which brings us to the next point.

Protect the Floor

You should cover your floor with a tarp, sheet of canvas, or towels to keep spilling, dripping, and splashing accidents from reaching it. 

Clean and Repair Walls

Make sure to clean your walls of any stains or debris prior to painting. Many people overlook this step, but it is important for getting the paint to adhere to the walls.

You should also repair any damage by filling in small holes and cracks with joint compound and a drywall knife. Gently sand away roughness in the areas after the joint compound is dry.

Use Painter’s Tape  

Put painter’s tape along the edges of the walls and around fixtures and outlet covers that you did not remove. This will keep paint from getting on them as you cut in.

Painting the Room

Now that you have adequately prepared for painting your room, it is finally time to apply the paint. Take a look at the steps below to see where to begin.

Top to Bottom

If you are painting your ceiling along with the walls, you should tackle this surface first. This way, any splashes or drips that hit the walls can be easily covered up while you are rolling your paint onto them.

Before using the roller, apply paint with a brush to cut in the corners and outer edges of the ceiling. After that, you can work your way over the ceiling with a roller.

Cut in First

With the walls, as well as the ceiling, it is important for you to first cut in with the paint around edges and fixtures. 

This will allow you to easily bring the roller down into the paint that is already around the edges of the walls. It also helps you apply the paint evenly.

Paint the Walls

The last step is adding paint to the walls using your roller. You may need an extension pole to reach higher places, or you can utilize a step ladder.

Make sure you let the paint dry completely before applying additional coats. Once your final coat is dry, you can carefully remove the painter’s tape, pick up the protective covering from the floor, and put your furniture and hardware back where it was.

Finally, pat yourself on the back for successfully painting a room.