Edit Article


Changing the colour of your interior walls is one of the most inexpensive and easiest things you can do to give your home an updated look. Beyond changing the look of a room in your house or boosting your home’s interior appeal, there are many benefits to painting. A fresh coat of paint will hide marks and stains on your walls, help keep dust and dirt at bay, and protect your walls from wear, tear and water damage. Let's get started!

Ad

Merge_590.png

An editor has suggested that this article be merged with:
"How to Paint the Interior of a House"


Per the merge policy, if these topics are determined to be similar but distinct, then the articles will remain separate. Please comment on the discussion page. Notice added on 2015-01-01.

EditSteps

  1. 1
    Clean the Walls
    • The results of your paint job largely rely on how well you clean and prepare your walls beforehand.
    • Remove dust, dirt, and grease spots by using a mild soap and water mixture and a rag. Dish soap works well as it cuts grease.
      Paint 309031_640.png
    Ad
  2. 2
    Inspect and Repair Damage
    • Once you have cleaned the walls inspect it for nail or pin holes.
    • Small holes in drywall can be filled with drywall mud or putty. Holes in wood walls or paneling and be filled with wood filler.
    • Sand the area down once it dries and use a damp rag to wipe away the extra dust.
  3. 3
    Choosing Your Paint
    • Determine whether you need to use a primer or not. An expert from a paint supply store can help you.  They can also show you the different paints on the market, including an all-in-one primer and paint mixture.
    • Don’t cheap out on paint. You will end up needing more coats to make it look nice and using high quality paint makes a huge difference in both application and the end result
  4. 4
    Tape around the Ceiling & Trim:
    • If you are not an expert painter be sure to tape up the edge where your walls meet the ceiling and along any trim you don’t plan on removing before painting.
    • Remove the painters tape before the paint dries so large strips of dried paint doesn’t come off of your freshly painted wall.
  5. 5
    Cutting in:
    • Start in the corner of the room and use a 2 to 2.5 inch angled brush to “cut in”.
    • Paint a three inch strip of coating along the perimeter of where the wall and ceiling meet, in corners, along windows, doors and moldings.
    • Cut in one section of the room and then start painting. This way the cut in portions will meld into the rolled on paint and dry at the same time, reducing paint lines.
  6. 6
    Paint the Walls:
    • Once you have “cut in” a section you can begin painting the wall. Use a roller to fill in the section.
    • Start in the corner of a wall and roll in a “W” pattern about in a three-by-three foot area. Then fill in the “W” without lifting the roller. Continue in sections until it’s completed.
    • Go to the next wall. Cut in along the ceiling, corners, windows, doors and moldings and repeat the process until you’re finished.
  7. 7
    Paint the Trim:
    • You may have chosen to remove your trim prior to painting your walls. If so, place your trim on a table or work bench and paint your trim.
    • Install it once it and the paint on the wall is dry.
    • If you decided to leave it on, after the wall paint is dry place painter’s tape where the trim meets the wall.
    • Paint the moldings, baseboard, door and window frames with a two-inch angled brush.
    • Paint the tops of doors and windows first and work your way down so you can remove any paint drips as you go.
    Ad

We could really use your help!

Can you tell us about
mango salsa?
Yes
No
mango salsa
how to make mango salsa
Can you tell us about
kidney beans?
Yes
No
kidney beans
how to cook kidney beans
Can you tell us about
cats?
Yes
No
cats
how to train an outdoor cat to use a litter box
Can you tell us about
repairing couches?
Yes
No
repairing couches
how to fix a sagging couch
Thanks for helping! Please tell us everything you know about
...
Tell us everything you know here. Remember, more detail is better.
Tips
Provide Details.
Please be as detailed as possible in your explanation. Don't worry about formatting! We'll take care of it. For example:
Don't say: Eat more fats.
Do say: Add fats with some nutritional value to the foods you already eat. Try olive oil, butter, avocado, and mayonnaise.
Submit

EditTips

  • Painting your interior and/or exterior walls, trim or outdoor buildings like sheds or garages will increase the overall value of your home. If you are trying to sell your home, a simple coat of paint can help it move more quickly on the market and sell closer to your asking price. It is a very high-value home makeover.
  • Choosing light colours will help make smaller spaces seem bigger. Bright colours can make a family room more welcoming and vibrant while pastels can make your bedroom more cozy and calming. You can bring a new positive energy into your home and change your outlook on your families living environment.

Article Info

Categories: Merge | Interior Walls Ceilings and Floors | Home and Garden

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 401 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No

Become
an Author!

Write an Article