How To Paint a Room Like a Pro

Painting a room is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to transform your living space. The right tools and techniques can amp up your walls or furniture with rich color and texture, and the results can last for years to come if you properly maintain your work. Read how to prepare, prime, and paint a room like a pro in our step-by-step guide below, and watch the video above for tips from This Old House painting contractor Mauro Henrique. 

Choosing the Right Paint

Start your project by picking the paint that works best on your walls. High-quality paints cost more upfront, but they’re more durable and offer better coverage. These paints often contain ingredients that enhance texture and boost surface adhesion, which results in a professional-grade finish. They’re also available in richer colors, and require fewer coats. 

The paint’s sheen affects both its appearance and functionality. These are the five basic types of sheen:

• Eggshell: This low-sheen finish is best for hiding imperfections.
• Flat or matte: Flats and mattes are great at hiding imperfections, but they’re more susceptible to stains, scratches, and dings.
• High gloss: This type of finish is very shiny and easy to clean, but it’s more difficult to apply than other types. 
• Satin: This finish is best for cabinetry, and has less luster than semi-gloss.
• Semi-gloss: This finish is durable, easy to clean, and ideal for trim and doors.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Choose paints with low or zero volatile organic compounds if you can. VOCs can cause headaches, respiratory irritation, and even cancer. Henrique recommends investing in paints that have 50 grams per liter or less of VOCs. Choosing low-VOC paint products promotes a healthier indoor environment and better air quality.

Paint-Primer Combos

Combination primer-and-paint products are becoming more popular, but Henrique still prefers using a standalone primer for unfinished or problem surfaces. If you’re using dark paint colors, tint the primer with about 80% of the paint color so that two topcoats will suffice. Using a primer is especially useful on bare wood or surfaces that were previously darker shades.

Paint Color Selection

Another factor to consider when choosing paint is color. The color of your walls can influence the overall ambiance of the room. Lighter colors can make a space feel larger and more open, while darker shades can create cozy, intimate atmospheres. Consider how certain colors will coordinate with your existing decor, furniture, and lighting. Testing paint samples on your walls before making a final decision can help you to visualize how different colors will look in your space.

Preparing the Room for Paint

You must prepare a room properly to get professional-looking finishes. Follow the steps below to get your room ready.

Remove Hardware and Protect Surfaces

Start by removing window hardware, door strikes, electrical cover plates, and light fixtures. Bundle each piece you remove with corresponding screws and fasteners, label the location of each, and store everything in a bucket in the same room. This will prevent you from losing any parts, and will make reassembling your work easier once you’ve finished painting.

Next, protect your floors by applying painter’s tape along the baseboard and covering it with rosin paper and drop cloths. Covering furniture with plastic sheets or moving it out of the room will prevent accidental paint splatters.

Sand and Clean Surfaces

Scuff-sand the trim and windows with 220-grit sandpaper so that paint can more easily adhere. Remove dust with a HEPA vacuum and a damp rag. If the existing paint is more than 40 years old, test it for lead before you start sanding to avoid releasing harmful lead dust. Sanding de-glosses the surface you’re painting and removes any rough spots or peeling paint.

Cleaning the surfaces to remove grease, dirt, and grime allows paint to adhere more successfully. Use a mild detergent solution to wash walls and trim, rinse with clean water, and let the surfaces dry.

Mask Windows and Glass

Henrique uses a glass-masking liquid to protect the window glass in the video. This method is faster than tape and creates a clear, no-bleed barrier. Apply two coats of the liquid using a 2-inch flat brush. You can paint over any excess that gets on the sash once it’s dry. Masking provides a clean edge and protects glass surfaces from paint spills.

Repair and Prime

Examine the walls, trim, and ceiling for any cracks, holes, or imperfections. Use a patching compound or filler to repair any damage. After the repairs have dried, sand the areas smooth so that they match the surrounding surfaces.

Caulk Seams and Corners

The fewer open seams there are around your trim, the better your wall will look. Cut a caulk tube close to the tip to get a small bead, then load the tube into your caulk gun. Squeeze the trigger just enough so that the gun produces a continuous flow of sealant as you pull the tip over the seam. Wrap a damp rag around your finger and use it to smooth the bead. Let the caulk set according to the instructions on the tube.

Painting Techniques

Now that you’ve prepared your room, you can start painting. Follow the techniques below to achieve the best results.

Painting Trim and Windows

Painting trim and windows requires precision and patience. Follow the steps below.

1. Start with the top window sashes, and use a 1 1/2-inch angled sash brush to paint the edges next to the glass.
2. Paint the sash’s top and side faces. Use a taping knife to protect the jambs and window trim.
3. Move on to the bottom sashes, and follow the same process.
4. Leave both sashes open for at least 90 minutes so that the paint can dry.

When you’re painting trim, use long, smooth strokes to avoid brush marks. Begin with the crown molding, then move to door and window frames. Finish with baseboards. Load your brush with moderate amounts of paint to reduce drips.

Cutting In

Cutting in is a technique that allows you to create crisp paint lines where rollers can’t reach. Use a 2 1/2-inch wide angled sash brush to paint a 1 1/2- to 2-inch wide stripe along the perimeter of the wall, where it meets the trim, ceiling, and other walls. Use long, steady strokes and avoid overloading the brush with paint.

Rolling the Walls

Follow the steps below to paint your walls: 

1. Pour paint into a paint tray and distribute it evenly on the roller cover.
2. Paint a W shape on the wall to quickly get paint off the roller.
3. Fill in the gaps and spread the paint evenly over an area that’s between 3 square feet and 4 square feet. 
4. Overlap each section by 30% to 40% as you move across the wall.
5. Work from the top of the wall downward to flatten any drips.

Apply even pressure, and focus on achieving a smooth, even coat rather than stretching the paint. Use a high-quality roller to get a better finish and reduce the chance of leaving lint on the walls. 

Second Coat

You may need to apply a second coat to achieve full coverage and a vibrant finish. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat. 

Paint Finishing Touches

Finishing touches can make a big difference in the final appearance of your room.

Cleaning Up

Once the paint has dried, remove the masking liquid from the windows by scoring around the edges of each pane with a utility knife. Then peel off the rubbery membrane. Reattach hardware, light fixtures, and electrical covers, then remove painter’s tape, rosin paper, and drop cloths. Make sure the room is well-ventilated during this stage to help the paint cure. This will also allow lingering fumes to dissipate.  

Curing Time

Remember that latex paints take up to two weeks to fully cure. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the finish as they cure, and clean the room slowly so that you don’t kick up any dust. Be gentle with the freshly painted surfaces to avoid marring the paint. 

Touch-Ups

Inspect the surfaces you’ve painted carefully for any drips, imperfections, or spots you missed. Use a small brush to touch up any areas that need more attention.