Learn to Paint a Room

How To Paint A Room

Learning how to paint a room the RIGHT way can save you time and money. The ultimate success of your DIY project may depend on the very first step of the process. After all, one of the biggest differences between professional and amateur painters is that professionals recognize and address the importance of proper prepping. So make sure you pay close attention to your beginning steps when learning how to paint a room.

Fresh colors for a new look

Steps in painting a room usually look like

Researching inspirational examples that will influence your design choices
Picking a complete color palette and not just one single color (we'll get into this more)
Getting the room ready by completely clearing out any furniture or decorations
Taping off edges with precision
Carefully estimating the correct amount of paint
Properly preparing for best-case ventilation

Get inspired
This age of Pinterest and constant inspiration leaves you with no excuse for not finding terrific ideas. Look for fresh colors, find new design themes that excite you with room brochures, and ultimately pull examples that reflect your unique tastes. Examples that work for others will help you.

Finding your favorite color palette

Find your color palette

You may only be painting one wall, one piece of furniture, or one piece of trim. Still consider your new color as a design element that's relative to whatever color is around it. Using color collections to match new shades to the colors that already exist in your space may be an interesting way of finding new (unexpected) hues that match the colors of your rooms and furniture that are not changing.

Preparing to paint

Preparing your Room to Paint

Clearing your room

This isn't complicated and maybe it's even a bit obvious, but clear your room of any furniture that you can manage to move. Or, move the larger furniture pieces to the middle of the room and cover those pieces with a thick cloth, plastic wrap or paper. This option requires less heavy-lifting and still keeps your furniture safe. However, you will still need to navigate around the items if you leave them in the middle of the room.

Tape your edges

Use painter's tape to create smooth, neat edges. This step can take some extra time to do well, but it's completely worth it once you get to the painting step. Taping off your room's edges, doors, windows, trim and accents will allow you to efficiently paint without worrying about making straight lines and edges.

Estimate the amount of paint you need

We made a useful paint calculator to help you with this step. Simply count and measure your walls, use this tool and then you should have a reliable estimate for the overall amount of paint you'll need. This will help you avoid mid-project trips to the store and over-buying unnecessary amounts.

Finishing up

Conclusion

Provide proper ventilation

Wet paint needs time and air to dry. Provide your room with as much of both as you can to ensure proper coverage and adhesion. Creating a nice flow of air through the room will speed the drying process and cut down on any lingering smell.

Start with a finish in mind You may be surprised to learn that the most important part of painting isn’t necessarily the painting, but embrace the idea! Take some extra time early in your painting project so you can save time at the end. As you finish your project successfully, you’ll be glad you did.