How to Paint a Room: A Professional’s Step-by-Step Guide

As a professional painter with over 25 years under my belt, there is something I know in and out, and that’s how to paint a room.

Painting a room yourself can be a cheap way to give your space a fresh and new look and it doesn’t have to be hard.

With the right tools, preparation, and technique, you can give your space a professionally painted look that reflects your personality and that’ll last for years to come, and that’s what I’m here to help you with.

In this article, I’ll guide you through the process of painting a room, from preparation to final touches.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge to tackle your next painting project like a pro, breathing new life into your home.

Let’s get to it and we’ll start by choosing the colors for your room.

Choosing the Right Color

Choosing a color is a matter of taste, but there are a few factors I recommend you should follow when selecting colors.

Factors to Consider

Let’s start with the size of the room.

Room Size

When choosing a paint color for your room, consider the size. Light colors can make a small room feel larger and more open, while dark colors can create a cozy atmosphere in a larger room.

For example, if your room is small, you might want to choose a light color to make the space feel more spacious.

Ceilings are usually white because it reflects more light and it also makes the room feel more spacious.

If you want to make a statement with the ceiling, choose a color that contrasts well with the wall color, decoration and furniture.

Natural Light

The amount of natural light in your room is another factor to consider when selecting a paint color.

Rooms with ample sunlight can handle darker colors without feeling too closed in, while rooms with less natural light may benefit from lighter hues.

Analyze the direction your room faces and the time of day it receives the most light to guide your color choice.

Existing Furniture

Your room’s existing furniture and other factors such as your floor, decorations and rugs, will help determine which paint color families work best in your space.

Pull ideas from fabric items, like throw pillows and bedding, etc., and use their boldest colors as inspiration for the color of your walls, or for an accent wall as seen in the image above.

Coordinating Colors and Undertones

To create a harmonious look in adjoining rooms, opt for paint colors with the same undertones.

If you’re using a yellow-based red in one room, consider using a khaki or pumpkin in the next room to keep a consistent flow.

Keeping trim color consistent from room to room also helps avoid any jarring transitions.

But this also depends on your home’s layout.

Choosing the Paint Finish

The gloss of the paint will have an impact on the overall look of your room.

A glossy shine reflects more light and helps liven up a space, while a matte finish or eggshell quality offers a more subtle look.

Types of paint finishes: matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss

When choosing a paint finish for a room, consider the various types available. Each finish has its own characteristics and is suitable for different applications. Here’s an overview:

• Matte: A non-reflective finish, ideal for walls and ceilings where you want to hide imperfections. It provides a subtle, elegant look.
• Eggshell: A low-sheen finish, offering a balance between durability and appearance. It’s a good choice for walls in living rooms and bedrooms.
• Satin: A durable, easy-to-clean finish with a slight sheen, suitable for high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and kids’ rooms.
• Semi-gloss: A highly reflective finish, great for surfaces that require frequent cleanings, such as trim, doors, and cabinets.
• Gloss: The shiniest finish, best for creating a dramatic effect on furniture, doors, and decorative accents.

Factors to consider: durability, ease of cleaning, and room function

When selecting a paint finish, consider these three factors:

1. Durability: Higher sheen finishes are generally more durable and resistant to scuff marks, making them suitable for high-traffic areas.
2. Ease of cleaning: Satin, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes are easier to clean, whereas matte and eggshell finishes may be harder to clean without damaging the surface.
3. Room function: Consider the room’s purpose and how much wear and tear it’ll experience. For example, a kid’s room or bathroom may require a more durable finish than a guest bedroom.

Determine how much paint you’ll need

Before purchasing paint, measure the room’s dimensions to calculate the square footage of the surfaces you’ll be painting.

Generally, a gallon of paint covers 350 square feet with one coat. Account for any walls or surfaces that won’t be painted, such as windows and doors.

Also, consider that you might need more than one coat, depending on the color and finish you’re using.

Paint a sample swatch

Before committing to a specific paint color and finish, it’s a good idea to test it on a small section of the wall.

This will help you see how the color and finish will look in the room’s lighting and surrounding environment.

Observe the swatch at different times of day to ensure you’re satisfied with how it looks before you paint the entire room.

Gather the Materials

Make sure you have all the tools and materials before you begin painting.

Tools and Gear Required

Here is a list of tools, equipment and PPE you’ll need:

• Paint roller
• Extension pole
• Paint trays
• Brushes: A variety of sizes for detail work, cutting in, and painting trim.
• Step ladder
• Pole sander
• Paint edging tool (optional): For getting a straight line
• Dust mask: To protect yourself from dust when sanding
• Putty knife and/or joint knives: For patching and smoothing any holes or cracks with spackling compound.
• plastic sheeting: To protect your furniture
• Scraper: For peeling paint
• Caulking gun: If any gaps or cracks need to be filled
• Gloves
• Safety glasses: When scraping and painting/sanding the ceiling
• Knee pads (optional)
• Work light: If the room doesn’t have sufficient light

Materials Required

Gather the following materials:

• Primer (if needed, read below)
• Wall paint
• Ceiling paint
• Enamel paint: For trim, baseboards, doors and windows
• Masking tape/painter’s tape
• Drop cloths or floor protection paper
• Paintable caulk
• Sandpaper: 120-220 grit
• Wood primer: For priming trim, doors, and other wooden surfaces.
• TSP/Cleaning product: For cleaning and degreasing surfaces prior to painting.
• Spackling compound/Hot mud: To fill in any cracks, holes or dents on the walls.

If the walls have been painted before and don’t have any stains from water damage, marker pen, or other aspects that might bleed through the top coat you won’t need to prime them before painting.

If they do have that kind of stains you’ll need to use a stain-blocking primer.

The wood primer is usually only needed for new woodwork or if the existing paint is peeling and needs to be scraped and shows bare wood. Also, if the old paint has a high gloss you might need to prime it to ensure that the new paint adheres properly.

If it’s in good condition and has a semi-gloss finish I usually just clean and sand it before painting.

Prepping the Room for Painting

Let’s start by preparing the room.

Removing Furniture and Covering the Floor

Before you begin painting, it’s essential to clear the room of all furniture, ceiling lamps, wall art, decorations, etc.

If it’s not possible to remove some furniture then gather them in the center of the room and cover them with plastic sheeting to protect them from paint splatter and dust.

Also, remove the outlet covers. If you for some reason won’t be able to do that use painter’s tape.

Then cover the floor with drop cloths or floor protection paper.

Proper Lighting

Having sufficient light is crucial when painting a room. Bring in extra lamps or use a work light to ensure you can see all the details of the walls, trim, and other areas you will be painting.

Proper lighting helps with color accuracy and highlights any imperfections that may need additional attention.

Cleaning

If your walls are dirty or have any mold or mildew, make sure to clean them before painting.

Use a damp cloth or sponge and mild detergent to scrub away dirt and debris.

Pay extra attention to any greasy or oily spots that might prevent paint from adhering properly.

Allow the surfaces you cleaned to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Spackling and Caulking

Inspect the walls, ceiling, trim, doors and windows for any cracks, holes, or dents that need repair.

Use a putty knife and spackling compound to fill these imperfections. If larger areas such as the ceiling or walls need to be spackled then use joint knives.

For larger holes and cracks use hot mud. This is a type of spackling compound that doesn’t shrink as much as usual joint compound since it hardens by a chemical reaction.

I love this type of spackle and use it all the time when there are larger areas to be filled.

If you need to skim coat the ceiling or walls then a skimming blade is a great tool for that to achieve a smooth and even surface.

When large areas need to be spackled you can apply the compound with a roller and then the skimming blade to smooth it out.

Once all the spackling and caulking is done it’s time to sand everything down to make sure the surfaces are smooth.

If you have skim coated the walls and/or ceiling I recommend using a drywall sander which will make it less strenuous and will also collect the dust that the sanding creates. Otherwise, use the pole sander.

Use caulk to fill any gaps between the walls and trim and other areas such as corners to achieve a professional finish.

If you have spackled and sanded the areas that need caulk I recommend painting it first so the caulk will adhere properly.

Prime

Now it’s time to prime the surfaces that need priming.

Use a stain-blocking primer on any stained areas that might bleed through the new paint.

Some wall and ceiling paint nowadays have both primer and paint in one so this can be used to spot prime areas that you have repaired with spackling compound and/or caulked.

The wood primer can be used to prime new/spackled woodwork or if the existing trim has a high gloss finish.

Paint the Ceiling

Start by doing the edges first. Use a paintbrush to cut in the edges.

Now, it’s time to roll on the paint. Choose a roller based on the texture of your ceiling:

• For smooth ceilings, use a low nap roller.
• Use a 9-12 inch wide roller frame. You can use the same roller frame for the walls later on, just switch out the roller cover.
• For textured ceilings, use a roller with a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch nap.

To paint the ceiling efficiently, work in grid-like sections. Start rolling from a window in one corner of the room and work your way across, making sure to overlap the cut-in lines.

While the ceiling paint is drying you can work on the trim, windows and doors such as spackling, sanding, or priming if needed.

When the ceiling paint has dried and you’re satisfied with the result you can move on to the next step. If the paint looks patchy then paint another coat.

If you have a coffered ceiling then check out How to paint a coffered ceiling to get an insight on what technique to use.

Paint the Trim, Windows and Doors

If the trim is in good condition and only needs one coat of paint then caulk the gaps before you apply the top coat.

I usually save the baseboard for last since it’s easier to paint it after the walls have been painted.

Use a high-quality paintbrush with synthetic bristles and paint the trim and windows with a high-quality latex enamel paint.

Use a 4-6 inch wide paint roller with a 3/16 to 1/4-inch nap on doors and larger surfaces.

If you get some paint on the walls it doesn’t matter since you will paint over them anyway.

Then allow the paint to dry according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

When the paint has dried check if it needs another coat of paint. If the finish looks uneven or if it hasn’t achieved full coverage then apply another coat.

Once the trim, windows and doors are finished and you’re satisfied with the result you can move on to the next step which is painting the walls.

Paint the Walls

Start by painting the edges first by using a 2-4 inch paintbrush. When it comes to painting the line at the ceiling you can use a paint edger to make it easier.

Then you can use a 9-12 inch wide roller for the walls just like you did for the ceiling. Choose a roller cover based on the texture of the wall which can be smooth or textured.

For a smoother finish, use a 3/8″ or 1/2″ synthetic nap roller cover. For a textured surface use a 3/4-inch or 1-inch synthetic nap roller cover.

When rolling the walls make sure to roll from floor to ceiling in M-like strokes to ensure that the coverage is even.

It usually takes 2 coats of paint to achieve full coverage although some paint brands advertise that their paint can do that with one coat of paint.

Check the walls when they’re dry that they have full coverage and that you are satisfied with the finish.

If you need to paint a second coat move your hand across the wall to check that it’s smooth. Otherwise, sand lightly with a used 120 grit or finer sandpaper.

New and unused 120-grit sandpaper has a tendency to leave scratches on smooth painted walls so either use a finer grit or a used one.

It’s not to sand down the paint but just to lightly remove any bumps in the surface for a smooth finish.

Then apply the second coat. Make sure to apply the paint evenly to achieve a consistent finish.

To be sure that you get an even finish you can roll from the ceiling downwards to the floor when you have applied paint on 3-4 feet width of wall. This will make the stipple pattern more even.

If you use too much paint you’ll end up with a stipple that will show more, if you don’t use enough paint the wall’s finish will look uneven when it has dried.

To get the best result when painting your walls you can use a paint sprayer which gives an even and perfect finish.

Although this requires a bit more preparation since you will have to mask off the surrounding areas such as the ceiling and trim.

One method you can try is by masking the trim and then paint against the ceiling with the paint edger. When the paint has dried you can spray the walls and hold a paint shield up against the ceiling.

Cleanup and Maintenance

When you’re done painting the room you should clean your tools so you can use them for future projects.

Cleaning Brushes, Rollers, and Other Tools

Start by removing excess paint from your brush and roller, then proceed with the following steps:

• For water-based paints, rinse the tool under warm water and rub the bristles or roller with your hands to remove the paint residue.
• For oil-based paints, you’ll need a solvent to break down the paint. Clean them in a container that can be sealed after use. After cleaning the brush and roller through the solvent, follow up with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly.

When you have squeezed out the water from the rollers you’ve cleaned, spin them to remove the excess water before storing them. Shake out the water from the paintbrushes and let the tools air dry.

Adding Personality with Accent Walls and Murals

You can make a unique and personalized space by adding an accent wall or mural to your room.

Accent walls can be striking and draw attention to a particular area in your room, while murals can add depth and tell a story.

Choosing the Right Wall

Start by selecting the wall you want to transform. Common choices are the wall behind a bed or desk, or a single, empty wall in the living room.

Keep in mind that you want the accent wall to complement the room, not overwhelm it.

Accent Wall Ideas

Some popular accent wall methods are:

• Bold color: Pick a vibrant color that contrasts with the other walls in the room. This will make the accent wall stand out and become a focal point.

• Wall paneling: Install wall panels that add architectural interest and character to the space.

You can also combine the two methods above to create a unique look.

Murals

If you’re looking for a more intricate, artistic touch, consider painting or installing a mural on your chosen wall. The easiest and cheapest method would be by hanging wallpaper with your motif on it.

Murals can depict landscapes, abstract designs, or even your favorite characters or scenes. Only your imagination is the limit.

Here are some mural ideas to inspire you:

• Nature-themed murals: Bring the outdoors inside by painting or hanging wallpaper with a forest, beach, or mountain scene.

• Geometric shapes: Use bold lines and shapes to create a contemporary, abstract design.

• Cultural patterns: Draw inspiration from traditional patterns and motifs from various cultures and incorporate them into your mural.

• Abstract art: Create a mural with vibrant colors and shapes that evoke emotions.

Take your time to plan and research before diving into accent wall or mural creation. With careful thought and execution, you’ll be able to transform your space and add your personal touch.

These days you can use AI to help you with getting inspiration.

Check out Mural Magic: 34 Creative Mural Ideas for Your Home or Color your home with the help of AI: Get Inspiration From Image Generators for more inspiration and how you can do this yourself.

Tips for Maintaining Your Painted Walls and Trim

Over time your room will get scuffed, scratched and stained. To keep your walls and trim looking as good as new, follow these maintenance tips:

Stain Removal

If you notice a stain on your wall just use a damp cloth or sponge with a small amount of mild detergent to gently rub the stain.

Avoid scrubbing too hard or using harsh chemicals, as this may damage the paint.

You can also use a sponge made of melamine. This material is slightly abrasive and will help remove tougher stains.

Another method is by using wipes which are made for removing paint, oils and such. Have in mind that the area you scrub can be slightly shinier afterward which can be noticeable when seen from certain directions.

Touch-ups

If wiping the affected area off doesn’t work you can paint it with the same paint you’ve used, so be sure to keep some extra on-hand when the job is done.

Keeping the color code or the original paint will allow you to easily touch up any spots that need attention.

Use a small brush and feather the paint carefully over the damaged area, blending the new paint into the existing finish.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

If you’re trying to decide whether to paint a room yourself or hire a professional, consider the following factors:

Cost

If you’re on a tight budget, painting a room yourself can save you money. The cost to paint a room depends on the size of the room and different contractors have slightly different prices.

Painting a room yourself will take more time since you won’t have the same experience, or access to the same tools or equipment that professionals use.

Hiring a professional will also save you time in the long run, since they’ll be able to complete the job faster and with better quality results.

However, if you DIY the job, you only have to pay for the tools and materials. The biggest cost when hiring someone is usually the labor.

Skill Level

If your walls are in good condition and you’re just looking for a simple color change, you can easily DIY.

Touch-ups and small jobs you can also easily handle on your own.

But if you’re dealing with water damage, cracks, or other major issues, it’s best to hire a professional painter who is experienced in these types of repairs.

If you are uncertain about your abilities or don’t want to spend your time learning a new skill, hiring a professional is a better choice.

Time Commitment

Consider how much time you have for the project. Painting a room can take days depending on your experience level, prep work needed and room size.

A professional can usually complete the job faster and might offer you a set completion date.

This can help you plan your schedule or arrange alternative living arrangements, if necessary, while the painting is being done.

Quality

A professional painter has the expertise and tools to ensure a high-quality paint job that could last longer than a DIY project.

These professionals may also be able to help you choose the best paint for your room and provide tips on maintaining the finished result.

In summary, weigh the benefits of cost savings and personal satisfaction from a DIY paint job against the time commitment and quality assurance that a professional painter can provide.

Choose the option that best fits with your budget, skill level, and desired outcome for your room’s new look.

Conclusion on How to Paint a Room

Painting a room can be a rewarding DIY project that can transform your space and give it a fresh, new look.

As a professional painter, the most rewarding aspect of this trade is seeing the end result and how it has transformed a boring worn-down space into something vibrant and beautiful.

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced DIYer, this guide has hopefully equipped you with the knowledge and confidence you need to take on your next painting project.

Remember, the key to a successful paint job lies in careful preparation, patience, and attention to detail.