Picture your walls with a great new color that ties the whole room together. Now picture the looks on guests’ faces when they ask who did such a great job on your interiors and you tell them it was you. Isn’t that satisfying? That experience is fully within your reach. With the right tools and the right process, you can achieve results that look like you hired a professional.

Painting Materials

A fantastic paint job begins with fantastic tools. Before you start the painting process, gather all the materials you need:

  • Spackle and sandpaper prepare your walls for new paint.
  • Primer gives you a smooth surface for easy application.
  • Tape protects crown molding and baseboards from smudges.
  • A roller allows you to spread paint evenly across the wall.
  • Synthetic brushes with tapered bristles help with touch-ups and make cleaning up easier.
  • A painter’s pole lets you have more control while painting the ceiling.
  • A roller grid on the paint bucket is a steadier option than a paint tray.
  • Drop cloths protect your floors from drips.

The paint you choose depends on the room you’re painting. If it is a potentially messy or high traffic area that will need to be cleaned often, a gloss paint may be your best option. It makes cleaning up after splatters in the kitchen or mudroom easier. For most rooms in the house, however, latex paint is probably the best choice. It goes on smoothly and hides tiny imperfections in the walls.

Painting Process

Once your materials are gathered, you are ready to start painting. Start by taking everything out of the room or at least covering the big pieces with drop cloths. Make sure the whole floor is covered as well. Inspect your walls for rough patches or holes and repair them by sanding them down or filling them. Clean the walls thoroughly.

Tape the edges so that you get clean lines. Apply your primer coat, and then follow with two coats of paint. Use a generous amount of paint on your roller to ensure that you are applying it evenly. When the job is completely finished, make sure you clean your brushes thoroughly before storing them so that they are ready to go for your next project.

 

Wow your friends with your spectacular painting skills. All you need are the right materials and the right process.