How to Paint a Room

This is the first in a three-part series on interior painting in your home:

Painting is one of the most popular do-it-yourself projects for homeowners. While we all want to see how the color we picked will look on the walls, it’s important to remember that the key to a good paint job starts long before you open the first can of paint. If the room isn’t prepared properly, the results may be less than you had hoped for and could lead to problems that are hard to repair.

Start by removing the furniture from the room and covering the floor with a drop cloth. Next, clean any dust and cobwebs from the walls with a broom then wipe down the trim with a damp cloth. A degreasing cleaner may be needed in the kitchen and other areas if the surfaces feel greasy to the touch.

Sand any rough spots and peeling paint. A flexible sanding sponge works great on moldings and other curved surfaces. Fill nail holes and dents with lightweight spackling, and caulk any cracks. After the spackling and caulk have dried, you are finally ready to start painting.

Use a brush to paint around the windows, doors, corners, baseboard, and ceiling before painting the walls.

Editorial Contributors
Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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