Painting a room is one of the most satisfying home improvement jobs you can do yourself. A fresh coat of paint can make a tired room feel cleaner, brighter and more finished without needing a full renovation.
That said, the best results usually come from the work you do before you open the tin. Good preparation, the right brushes and rollers, careful cutting in and enough drying time all make a big difference.
Here is Mr Collins’ practical guide to painting a room properly, whether you are freshening up the walls, repainting a ceiling or giving the skirting boards a new lease of life.
What you will need
Before you start, it is worth getting everything together. There is nothing more annoying than finding out halfway through the job that you are missing tape, filler or the right roller.
For most room painting jobs, you may need:
Paint
Paint stirrer
Paint tray
Roller and roller sleeve
Extension pole
Paint brushes
Small brush for edges and corners
Masking tape or painter’s tape
Dust sheets
Filler
Filling knife
Sandpaper or sanding block
Decorating caulk
Damp cloth
Step ladder or hop-up
Primer or stain blocker, if needed
If you are not sure what you need, pop into Collins Hardware and we can help you pick out the right tools for the job.
Step 1: Clear and protect the room
Start by moving as much furniture out of the room as you can. Anything that has to stay should be moved into the middle of the room and covered properly.
Lay dust sheets over the floor and protect anything you do not want splashed. Old sheets can help, but paint can sometimes soak through thin fabric, so proper dust sheets are usually a safer choice.
Remove pictures, hooks, ornaments and anything else that might get in the way. It is much easier to paint when you are not working around clutter.
Step 2: Tape around edges and fittings
Use masking tape or painter’s tape around areas you want to protect, such as skirting boards, door frames, window frames, sockets and switches.
Good tape is worth having. Cheap tape can lift, tear or allow paint to bleed underneath. Press the edges down firmly and do not leave tape on for too long after painting, as it can become harder to remove cleanly.
Some decorators prefer using a paint shield rather than tape, especially around skirting boards. Either approach can work, but tape is often easier if you are decorating at home and want a bit more reassurance.
Step 3: Prepare the walls
This is the bit people are tempted to skip, but it is also the bit that makes the finish look better.
The surface you are painting should be clean, dry and free from dust. Wipe down marks, cobwebs and greasy areas before you start. If the wall is dusty after sanding, wipe it with a damp cloth and allow it to dry properly.
Fill cracks, dents and holes with a suitable filler, then sand them smooth once dry. For gaps in corners or around skirting boards, use decorator’s caulk rather than silicone. Silicone is not usually paintable, so it can cause problems later.
If there are stains, water marks or patches that may show through the new paint, use a suitable stain blocker or primer before painting over them.
Step 4: Stir the paint properly
Always stir your paint before using it. Paint can separate while it sits in the tin, so stirring helps make sure the colour and finish are consistent.
This is especially important if the paint has been stored for a while or mixed to a specific colour. Stir carefully from the bottom of the tin and make sure there are no lumps or thicker areas before you start.
Step 5: Think about safety around electrics
Take care when painting near sockets, switches and light fittings. If you are working very close to electrical fittings, it is sensible to switch off the power to that area before you start.
You can also cover fittings with tape or plastic to protect them from splashes. Make sure you still have enough light to work safely. A battery lamp can be useful if you need to turn the room lighting off.
Step 6: Paint in the right order
The usual order is:
Ceiling first
Walls second
Woodwork last
This helps because any splashes from the ceiling can be covered when you paint the walls, and any marks near the skirting can be tidied when you paint the woodwork.
If you are only painting the walls, you can still follow the same principle by cutting in around the edges first, then rolling the larger areas.
Step 7: Cut in around the edges
Cutting in means painting the areas a roller cannot reach properly. This includes corners, ceiling lines, edges around windows and doors, and the top of skirting boards.
Use a good-quality brush and avoid overloading it with paint. Too much paint on the brush can cause drips and thick edges.
Work steadily, using controlled strokes. If you make a mistake, wipe it away quickly with a damp cloth.
For the best finish, cut in one section and roll the main area while the paint is still wet. This helps the brushed and rolled areas blend together, rather than leaving visible lines.
Step 8: Roll the walls
Once the edges are cut in, use a roller for the larger wall areas.
Load the roller evenly, but do not overload it. If it is dripping, there is too much paint. If it is dragging or making a dry sound, it probably needs more.
Work in manageable sections and try to keep a wet edge as you go. This means you are always rolling into paint that has not fully dried yet, which helps avoid lap marks and patchy areas.
A roller pole is useful, even in a normal room, because it lets you work more smoothly from top to bottom without constantly moving a step ladder.
Step 9: Let the first coat dry
Do not rush the drying time. The tin should tell you how long to wait before applying the next coat.
Drying times can vary depending on the paint, room temperature, ventilation and the surface you are painting. A room that is cold, damp or poorly ventilated will take longer to dry.
If you apply the second coat too soon, the finish can drag, peel or look uneven. It is better to wait a little longer than spoil the first coat.
Step 10: Apply the second coat
Most walls need two coats for a good finish, especially if you are changing colour or painting over a darker shade.
Apply the second coat in the same careful way: cut in first, then roll the larger areas. Keep the pressure even and avoid going back over areas that have already started to dry.
Once the second coat is finished, let the room dry properly before moving furniture back or putting pictures and fittings back in place.
How to paint a ceiling
Ceilings can be awkward because you are working overhead, so preparation matters.
Cover the floor properly, remove or protect light fittings, and use a roller with an extension pole. Start by cutting in around the edges where the ceiling meets the walls, then roll the main ceiling area in sections.
Try to work steadily across the ceiling and keep a wet edge. If the ceiling paint starts peeling as you roll, stop. Carrying on will usually make it worse. You may need to deal with the peeling area, sand it back and use the right primer or specialist product before repainting.
How to paint skirting boards and door frames
Woodwork needs a slightly different approach from walls.
Start by cleaning the surface, then lightly sand it to help the new paint grip. Wipe away dust before painting. If there are chips, dents or gaps, fill or caulk them first and allow everything to dry.
Depending on the surface and paint you are using, you may need primer or undercoat. For the top coat, choose a suitable finish such as satin, eggshell or gloss.
Use a good brush and work in smooth strokes. Do not overload the brush, as thick paint can run or leave heavy marks.
How long does it take to paint a room?
This depends on the size of the room, how much preparation is needed and how many coats you are applying.
A straightforward room may take a day or a weekend, allowing for preparation, drying time and a second coat. A room with lots of filling, sanding, staining, damaged walls or detailed woodwork will take longer.
The biggest mistake is underestimating the preparation. Painting the walls is often the quickest part. Getting the room ready properly is what takes the time.
How much paint do you need?
The simple calculation is:
Surface area x number of coats ÷ paint coverage = litres of paint needed
Measure the height and width of each wall, multiply them together, then subtract large doors and windows. Multiply the total by the number of coats, then divide by the coverage shown on the tin.
If you are not sure, bring your room measurements into Collins Hardware and we can help you work it out.
How to clean brushes and rollers
Clean your brushes and rollers as soon as you can after painting.
For water-based paint, rinse them thoroughly in warm water until the water runs clear. Work the paint out of the bristles or roller sleeve, then leave them to dry properly before storing.
For oil-based paint, you may need a suitable brush cleaner or white spirit. Always check the paint tin for cleaning instructions and dispose of leftover paint or cleaning products responsibly.
If you are taking a short break between coats, you can wrap brushes and rollers tightly in a plastic bag or cling film to stop them drying out. This is useful if you are using the same colour again later that day.
A few Mr Collins tips before you start
Do not paint over dust, grease or damp patches and expect a perfect finish.
Do not skip the second coat unless the paint is specifically designed for one-coat coverage.
Do not buy the cheapest brush or roller if you want a clean finish. Poor-quality rollers can shed fibres and cheap brushes can leave marks.
Do not remove masking tape too late. Once the paint has dried hard, tape can pull or tear the edge.
Do keep a damp cloth nearby. Small mistakes are much easier to fix straight away.
Need paint or decorating supplies?
If you are planning to paint a room, call into Collins Hardware in Pangbourne before you start.
We can help with paint mixing, colour matching, brushes, rollers, tape, fillers, dust sheets, sandpaper, trays and other decorating essentials.
Bring your colour reference, room measurements or a photo of the space, and we will help you choose what you need for the job.