10 steps: How to paint a room like a pro

Do you need to paint a room and at the same time do it before the approaching Christmas ? Don't be afraid and go for it yourself. When it comes to painting undemanding surfaces and more or less straight walls, there is nothing to worry about. You will see that the room will look beautiful and you will also save your wallet. 

How to paint a room: step by step

Learn how to paint any space in your home like the most skilled handyman. Thanks to our advice, you will know that it is nothing so complicated. After all, it's pretty painless, relatively cheap, and even if something goes horribly wrong by pure chance, you can still fix everything pretty easily. But before you grab the roller and start with the first coat, as with many things, it's essential to have a plan. We have put together the best tips and tricks for you to get started. Read on to learn how to paint a room step by step . Here you can also find trending inspiration for 2021. 

1. What should be the result?

Start thinking about how you want the finished project to look. And remember, you are not limited to four walls or an entire room in the same color. Consider painting an accent wall a bold shade, or at least highlighting moldings or other finishes that break up the monotony of the space. And keep your head up. See if it wouldn't be nice to refresh the room by choosing a ceiling in an interesting color.

2. Do you have a favourite shade?

There are a huge number of color shades. Start by learning the general characteristics of colors. Do you want a warm or cool shade? Neutral or bright? If you already have furniture, also consider whether the chosen color will suit the existing interior. Once you understand what you're looking for, pick a few winning shades and get swatches. Many brands will send you adhesive samples that you can slap on the wall to get a better idea. As we all know, colors look completely different directly on the wall. Don't underestimate the importance of testing colors to see how they look in a room at different times of the day.

3. Necessary tools

Each surface is different and therefore needs a different type of painting tools . It is also necessary to evaluate the condition of the walls, the number of previous coats, the amount of pollution, etc. However, you certainly cannot do without a paint brush in various sizes, a roller, an extension rod for the roller, a container of paint, sandpaper, masking tape, a knife and cloths.

4. Amount of paint

You have no idea how much paint will be needed to paint the room? Don't worry, it's simple. A simple formula that we know from elementary school is enough. Simply multiply the height and length of the individual walls, add up and don't forget the ceiling. Multiply twice or more as needed, as more coats are needed, at least two.

5. Surface treatment

Are you planning to whitewash a dark gray wall? You will probably need more color when going from dark to light. We also recommend applying a gray-toned primer to the surface before painting the walls a rich color to reduce the number of color coats needed. When it comes to finish, you may have heard that the glossier the finish, the higher the coverage should be.

6. Cover the furniture

Don't want to damage your favourite sofa or valuable antiques? Empty the room and remove or at least cover all furniture. If you don't have enough space to move everything you own, move everything to the centre of the room. Cover individual pieces of furniture with light plastic wrap and do the same with the floor, as well as any cabinets or worktops that are at risk of soiling.

7. Tape will save you time

Now take your masking tape and stick it really firmly on the mouldings, door and window frames. Ensuring a good seal so that the paint does not get under the tape is very important. The tape simply peels off after the paint dries and the frames and everything else are clean. And you will save a lot of time by tediously cleaning drawers, slats and the like.

8. Mix the right shade

Use a wooden stick to stir the paint and stir frequently as you paint. Paint that is not mixed consistently can break down and cause stains. If you need more paint, mix the paint in a large enough bucket to avoid mixing a different shade than the previous one.

9. Strategy

The paint is mixed and the roller is ready, but before you start, don't forget to plan your strategy. Work from the top of the room down, starting with the ceilings first. Are you planning one striking wall? Paint the adjacent light walls first and don't worry if you drag the color onto the wall, which will then be painted with a bold color. A richer shade will cover the lighter one. After the lighter wall is dry, tape over the edges so that the dark paint does not bleed onto your new paint. If you're covering dark walls with a lighter shade, plan on three coats: a base coat plus two coats of new paint so nothing shows through.

10. Ventilate

Make sure the paint dries properly. How? Make sure the room is well ventilated. You can ensure this by opening windows and using fans. Try to start painting in a warm and dry season. It is in such conditions that the paint will dry the fastest.

Final Painting Tips: The Finishing Touches That Matter

Congratulations—your painting project is nearly complete! But before you kick back and admire your fresh new walls, here are a few final tips to ensure everything looks perfect and your tools are properly cared for.

1. Tidy Up the Edges

Use a brush to carefully paint small or tricky areas, such as corners and along skirting boards. Work from top to bottom in steady strokes. Larger, flat sections are best tackled with a roller—use long, even movements to avoid visible roller marks. Pro tip: Once the wall is dry to the touch, it’s ready for the second coat.

2. Mind the Mouldings

If you’re painting the mouldings or trim in a different colour, carefully remove the painter’s tape from them and apply new tape along the wall edge to avoid smudging. Just make sure the wall paint is fully dry before applying new tape.

3. Clean-Up Time

Once your walls are dry and looking fresh, it’s time to tidy up:

• Remove masking tape carefully to avoid peeling paint.

• Take down any plastic sheets or drop cloths.

• Let any spilled or splattered paint dry before trying to clean it.

  
  

Tool Cleaning Tips:

• Latex or water-based paints: Clean brushes and rollers with warm soapy water.

• Oil-based paints: Use mineral spirits to clean your tools.
  

Want to reuse your rollers? Rinse them thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. Well, now that's really all. If you have completed all the previous steps, you can relax. Did our colouring article help you? Maybe yes. We believe that everything went perfectly for you and that next time you will be able to paint the entire apartment like a professional. And if you prefer to leave the painting to professionals, you can order a certified painter on our Adam platform .