How to Properly Paint a Room

These days, home remodels and renovations are popping up all over the place.  One of the best ways to freshen up your space is by interior painting.  New color can add vibrancy and some new excitement to whatever room you take on.  Unfortunately, this process is much easier said than done, as priming, multiple layers of paint, and many other factors can quickly turn your project into a chore.  To properly paint a room in an efficient way without sacrificing quality, there are just a few steps you need to follow to get the best possible results.

Prepping your space to be painted is potentially one of the most tedious and annoying parts of an interior painting project. It is also one of the most important if you don't want to end up finding paint in areas of the room where it shouldn't be.  First off, move all the furniture to the center of the room and tape off windows, doors, and molding.  You should also place some sort of tarp around the room to catch spilled paint; a canvas tarp will work better than plastic as it absorbs paint. Remember to remove all the light switch covers and keep track of the screws so you aren't losing your mind when you go to put them back in. 

Once you have your room prepped for paint, it's time to start applying the primer. For a better looking finish to your walls, tint your primer with the finished color so the paint will conceal all the primer in the end.  Once you start painting with your roller, roll the paint in a "W" shape to avoid roller marks.  Paint in overlapping streaks, followed by horizontal strokes to cover it up.  If you have a larger area to paint, a roller will save you time as compared to a brush. If you are painting on a rougher surface, the roller nap should be very thick and be able to return to its form very quickly. For corners and areas that are tighter to get to, a brush will come in very handy in the detailing. When you have a coat finished, be patient and make sure the paint has dried to the touch before adding another coat. 

After you have finished painting for the day, simply roll out the extra paint and wrap your brushes and rollers in plastic wrap and refrigerate them to avoid them drying out overnight.  No matter what room you're painting, following these simple rules and tips will help your project turn out the best it possibly can.