Where Do I Start When I'm Painting a Room?

Where Do I Start When I’m Painting a Room?

Painting a room is something that you want to approach the right way. Of course, you want the paint job to turn out brilliantly so that everyone will be satisfied. If you’ve never painted a room before, you might not know how to get started. Where do you start when painting a room and how should you plan everything out?

Prep Work

Prep work comes before you get started with the actual painting. This means gathering the necessary tools and preparing the room to be painted. As you’d expect, you’ll need to empty the room so it can be painted. Next, you want to lay down tarps or other types of protective covers to prevent paint from getting on the floor. 

You’ll need to use painter’s tape around the edges of the room. It’s best to cover electrical outlets, light fixtures, and other things that you don’t want to paint over. You might also choose to remove electric switch covers and other things for safety purposes. If there are cracks or holes in the wall, those should be repaired before painting commences. 

Start by Painting the Ceiling

When painting a room, the most practical place to start is the ceiling. Begin by painting the ceiling because that will make everything easier. The power should be turned off in the room and you’ll want to remove the light fixture cover. Use a step ladder to paint the ceiling using a combination of paint rollers and paint brushes. 

It’ll likely be best to use paintbrushes in the corners. This will allow you to evenly apply paint while keeping the paint from balling up. Paint around the ceiling fixture carefully. You should have placed painter’s tape around the light fixture to make your job easier during the prep work section. 

You should also make sure to buy ceiling paint for this job. There’s a difference between paint that is meant for the ceiling and paint that is meant for walls. Getting the right paint can mean the difference between doing a good job and a poor job. 

Paint the Walls Next

The next step involves painting the walls. It’s best to start by cutting in the paint along the ceiling and trim. This can be done using your paint roller. Work on one wall at a time and you’ll eventually get the entire room finished. 

Depending on how things go, you may need to apply several coats of paint to the walls. Be patient and make sure that things work out properly. Remember to use wall paint for this process and not ceiling paint. 

Let the Paint Dry

The paint must dry completely before you put light fixture covers and electrical outlet covers back in place. When the paint has fully dried, you can remove the painter’s tape that you placed around the room. It’s also fine to pull up your tarps or any plastic you’re using to protect the floor. Clean up after yourself properly. 

Never Rush the Process

Painting a room goes worse when you’re in a hurry. Understand that painting can be a time-consuming process. It won’t necessarily go fast, but you can get the job done well with patience. Avoid rushing and take your time to do the job right. 

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