How to paint a room
By Thumbtack Staff•Last updated Aug 29, 2024
Last updated Aug 29, 2024
Your blank walls are a canvas, but you failed art class. Here’s how to paint your walls without messing it up, according to top interior painters on Thumbtack.
Day 1: Prep the room
Before you start painting the walls, complete these preparation steps:
Step 1: Pick your paint colors and buy the right amount
Choose a color palette for your room. Whether you want warm colors like brown, scarlet, peach, red, or orange, or cool colors like beige, blush, blue, or yellow, pick colors that complement your style and mood. If you're stuck, check out these interior paint color trends for inspiration.
Once you’ve decided on your paint colors, use an online paint calculator to figure out how many paint cans to buy. Two gallons should be enough for an average-sized living room.
Use latex paint, also known as water-based paint, for walls and ceilings. Oil-based paint is better for trim, window frames, and doors. You’ll also need a gallon of non-toxic primer.
Step 2: Get the right equipment
Painting itself doesn’t take that long. But taping does. To do it right, you’ll need to carefully and completely tape the room before you start — and at least two rolls of painter’s tape. Coloring inside the lines is hard when painting an entire room, and painter’s tape will keep your edges straight.
Get drop cloths to cover your floors and furniture. Professionals prefer canvas, which is durable and absorbent. Plastic wrap is an affordable alternative, although it won’t absorb stray paint drips.
Don’t skimp on your paint rollers, roller covers, or roller tray — cheap painting materials can mean cheap-looking walls. You’ll also need a good 3- or 4-inch angled sash brush.
Finally, a ladder is useful for tough-to-reach spots. An extension pole will also give you a better angle when painting.
Step 3: Protect your space with tape and covers
Don’t get too excited — there’s still work to do before the actual painting. Take everything off the walls. Wipe them down with a damp towel and let them dry. Spackle any wall damage, and use a putty knife to remove old, peeling paint.
Cover everything in your space, or wet paint will get on it. The same goes for your clothes — don’t wear anything you’re not okay getting paint on, because there’s nothing you can do to keep that from happening. Place large furniture in the middle of the room and cover it with drop cloths. Put painter’s tape along straight edges, including baseboards, connecting corners of walls, and ceiling edges.
Take out all light fixtures, light switch covers, and electrical outlet covers. Cover these areas with more tape to protect them from dust. Tape your drop cloth along the bottom of the baseboard to cover the entire floor.
Step 4: Prime the walls
Always prime before painting. Without primer, the paint coat won’t last long or look smooth. A new wall is very porous, but primer protects it and creates a smooth surface for new paint. Primer also helps if you’re painting a light color over a darker color, or if the original paint on the wall is high-gloss.
Apply the primer with a roller, and finish the edges with the brush. Don’t worry about it looking perfect. All you need is a smooth coat.
Open windows and use a fan to air out the smell. Wait a couple of hours for the primer to dry. The wall is ready once you touch it and the primer doesn’t get on your fingers.
Day 2: Paint the room
Once you've completed prepping your room, it's time to paint. Follow these steps to ensure a job well done.
Step 1: Cut in your corners
Check that your tape and covers are still in place — especially if you have pets that are prone to late-night wandering. Then stir your paint for about 30 seconds and pour it into the roller pan.
Hold your angled brush like a pencil. Paint anywhere the roller can’t reach — corners between walls, and along the ceiling and baseboards. Add a 4-inch border of paint around the walls.
It takes time, but don’t rush or the lines won’t be clean.
Step 2: Roll paint onto the walls
Now comes the fun part. Roll your paint roller into the tray’s well, then roll a few times on the upper part of the tray to shed excess paint. Paint in a W pattern that runs top to bottom and back again. Work in 4-foot sections.
No need to press too hard. Apply your brushstrokes with moderate pressure and keep a steady hand. Turn the roller sideways to work along the wet edges that you’ve cut in. This will blend the brush marks along the edges.
Watch the paint in your roller. A roller that’s too wet will lay the paint on too thick. If there isn’t enough paint on the roller, you’ll get glimpses of white primer through the painted area.
Paint over all white areas with a good coat of paint. Do one wall at a time.
Step 3: Wait for the paint to dry, then add a second coat
Paint dries after two or three hours. Test it by touching the wall in a discreet or hidden corner. Once dry, apply another coat of paint. You won’t need to cut in the corners again.
After you’ve added that extra coat, wait a couple more hours for it to dry. When that’s done, remove the painter’s tape. Pull it out at an angle, toward your body, so no paint peels off.
Step 4: Clean up and store away items
You’re close, but you’re not done yet. Cleanup takes a while, especially if a stray splash of paint accidentally landed somewhere. Here are some tips to help clean up the mess:
- If there’s a splash on the floor, use a fingernail or a paint scraper to remove it.
- For paint drips on carpet or upholstery, use a nontoxic latex paint remover.
- Wash your paint brushes in warm water. Make sure that the paint doesn’t clog your drains. Hang the clean brushes to dry for around a week.
- Get rid of roller covers and tray liners; they're disposable.
- Wash your tray and paint roller, so you can use them for your next paint job.
- Store leftover paint in a cool, dark space. Use a rubber mallet to seal the lid onto its paint can and keep the paint fresh. Latex paint lasts for about 10 years.
Remember this important rule: Never pour extra paint down the drain. To safely dispose of it, add cat litter to the paint inside the can. Stir until the mixture thickens, and leave it for an hour to dry out. Remove the lid, and throw the can away in the garbage.
How much does it cost to paint a room?
- Square footage. Interior painters tend to charge based on the square feet of the wall and ceiling height. It affects how much paint and time is needed to finish a painting project.
- Number of rooms. The more rooms to paint, the higher the cost. Some painters will lower the price per room as the number of rooms to be painted goes up. So repainting your home in one go may be more affordable than repainting rooms one at a time over a long period of time.
- Premium paints, such as luxury brand paints or eco-friendly paints, can add to the cost.
- Additional services. Many interior painters also offer small drywall and baseboard repair services. Any additional labor and materials will add more to the cost.
- Travel time, gas, and other factors will affect the price too.
To save on your overall spend, you can take care of some details beforehand so everything is ready when the painters arrive. If painters have to remove outlet covers and light switches, or move and cover furniture, that extra time gets added to the bill.
Who to hire to paint your room
Interior painters can prep and paint walls, ceilings, and more. Find an interior painter and other home improvement pros on Thumbtack:
A note about project costs featured in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.
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