A fresh coat of paint can completely transform a room. You may be tempted to grab your roller and get started right away but a few steps in advance will provide professional-quality results and, help you avoid many common mishaps. Follow these easy steps to prep for your next paint project and look for other tips in our How to Paint a Room series.

What You’ll Need

• Paint Prep/TSP Substitute

• Sponge

• Spackling

• Sand Paper

• Canvas Drop Cloths

• Painter’s Tape

• Putty Knife

• Ladder

Get Started!

Clear the Room

Clear the room the best you can. Remove light switches, outlet covers, and hardware before painting.  Canvas drop clothes can be used to cover furniture and protect the floor. Don’t skip this step. Even the most skilled painter is prone to a paint spill or splatter.

Check the Walls

Grease, dirt, and mildew can prevent paint from adhering. Dust off baseboards and moldings. Then Clean surfaces with a paint prep / TSP substitute before paining for a long lasting finish. This is especially important when working in the kitchen, bathroom, or areas where there is high “touch traffic.” Finally fill in any holes with spackle and sand down previous paint drips or imperfections.

Tape like a Pro

A common question when researching how to paint a room is how to prevent paint from bleeding from one surface to the next. You’ll want to apply painter’s tape along the areas that will be painted different colors such as where the wall meets the ceiling or when painting an accent wall. Tape can also be used to protect hardware that can’t be removed such as light fixtures and any other areas that should be protected such as baseboards and trim. The key to taping like a pro is a secure seal. Apply tape in straight lines then firmly press it to the surface using a putty knife to seal the tape’s edge. Textured surfaces may require a special kind of tape.

Learn how to paint a room like a professional with our other tips to save you time, money, and aggravation!