Paint any room like a professional with proper wall preparation, primer selection, cutting-in technique, and rolling method for clean, lasting results.
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Planning and Supplies
Calculate paint quantity needed
One gallon covers 350-400 sq ft per coat. Measure wall area: (room perimeter x ceiling height) minus windows and doors. A 12x14 room with 8-foot ceilings needs about 2 gallons for 2 coats.
Choose the right paint finish for the room
Flat/matte hides imperfections but marks easily — best for ceilings. Eggshell works for bedrooms and living rooms. Satin handles kitchens and hallways. Semi-gloss is for bathrooms and trim. Higher sheen means easier cleaning but shows more flaws.
Buy quality brushes, rollers, and tape
A 2.5-inch angled brush ($10-$15) is essential for cutting in. Use 3/8-inch nap rollers for smooth walls, 1/2-inch for textured walls. Buy 2 rolls of painter's tape ($6-$9 each). Cheap tools leave brush marks and lint in the finish.
Get drop cloths for floors and furniture
Buy a paint tray, extension pole, and stir sticks
Test paint colors on the wall before committing
Buy 2-3 sample pots ($5-$8 each) and paint 12x12-inch patches on different walls. Colors look different in natural light vs. artificial light. Live with the samples for 2-3 days before deciding.
Room Preparation
Move or cover all furniture and remove wall decor
Move small furniture out of the room completely. Slide large pieces to the center and cover with plastic sheeting. Remove all outlet covers, switch plates, curtain rods, and light fixtures. Bag and label the hardware.
Fill holes, cracks, and dents with spackle
Lightweight spackle dries in 15-30 minutes. Apply with a 3-inch putty knife, slightly overfilling each hole. Sand smooth with 120-grit sandpaper after drying. Larger holes (over 1/2 inch) need mesh patch tape first.
Sand glossy surfaces and clean all walls
Lightly sand any glossy or previously painted surfaces with 150-grit sandpaper so primer grips. Wipe all walls with a damp cloth or TSP solution ($6-$8 per container) to remove dust, grease, and grime. Paint won't stick to dirty walls.
Apply painter's tape to trim, ceiling line, and windows
Press tape firmly along the edge using a putty knife or credit card. This creates a seal that prevents bleed-through. Apply tape the same day you paint — tape left on for more than 3-4 days can pull off paint or leave residue.
Lay drop cloths on the floor
Canvas drop cloths ($15-$30) absorb drips and stay in place better than plastic. Tape plastic sheeting over carpet for extra protection. Extend cloths 3-4 feet from the wall — most drips land close to the base.
Priming
Prime repaired areas, stains, and bare surfaces
Spot-prime spackled patches and any stains (water marks, crayon, ink) with a stain-blocking primer. One quart ($10-$14) handles spot priming a whole room. Without primer, spackled spots show through the paint as dull patches.
Apply full coat of primer if changing color drastically
Going from dark to light requires a full coat of white-tinted primer. Light-to-dark color changes can skip full priming. A gallon of primer ($15-$25) covers 300-400 sq ft. Primer dries in 1-2 hours and saves you from needing a 3rd coat of paint.
Let primer dry fully before painting
Most primers are ready for topcoat in 1-2 hours but check the label. Humidity above 50% adds 30-60 minutes to dry time. The primer should feel dry and smooth to the touch with no tackiness.
Cutting In and Rolling
Cut in around all edges with a brush first
Load 1/3 of the brush bristles with paint. Cut a 2-3 inch band along the ceiling line, corners, trim, and around outlets. Do one wall at a time and roll while the cut line is still wet to avoid visible overlap marks.
Roll paint in a W pattern for even coverage
Start with a W shape about 3 feet wide, then fill in the area without lifting the roller. Work from top to bottom in sections. Reload the roller every 3-4 feet of wall. Maintain a wet edge — don't let paint dry before rolling the adjacent section.
Apply second coat after first coat is fully dry
Wait 2-4 hours between coats for latex paint. The first coat often looks uneven — that's normal. The second coat provides full, uniform coverage. Lightly sand between coats with 220-grit if the surface feels rough.
Paint trim and woodwork last
Use a 2-inch angled brush for trim. Apply 2 thin coats rather than 1 thick coat to prevent drips. Semi-gloss or high-gloss on trim creates a crisp contrast with eggshell walls. Trim dries to touch in 1 hour.
Cleanup and Finishing
Remove painter's tape at the right time
Pull tape when the final coat is dry to touch but not fully cured — usually 1-2 hours after painting. Pull at a 45-degree angle away from the paint line. If paint bridges the tape edge, score it lightly with a utility knife first.
Touch up any missed spots or bleed-through
Use a small artist's brush or foam brush for touch-ups. Apply paint from the same can used for the final coat to ensure color match. Touch-up within 24 hours for the best blend. After that, the sheen may look slightly different.
Clean brushes and rollers immediately
Latex paint washes out with warm water and soap — spend 5 minutes per brush. A clean brush lasts 10+ years. Roller covers can be wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated for reuse within 1-2 days without cleaning.
Store leftover paint properly for future touch-ups
Seal cans tightly and store at 50-80°F. Never store in a garage that freezes — frozen latex paint is ruined. Write the room name and date on the can lid. Properly stored latex paint lasts 5-10 years.
Reinstall hardware, outlet covers, and decor
Wait 24-48 hours before hanging anything on freshly painted walls. Paint cures fully in 30 days — avoid scrubbing or washing walls during this period. Clean scuffs gently with a damp cloth only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much paint do I need for a room?
One gallon of paint covers 350-400 sq ft per coat. A standard 12x12 bedroom with 8-foot ceilings has about 384 sq ft of wall space (minus windows and doors). For 2 coats, buy 2 gallons. A gallon of quality interior paint costs $30-$60. Buy all your paint at once from the same batch to avoid slight color variations between cans.
How long does it take to paint a room?
A single 12x12 room takes 4-8 hours total: 1-2 hours for prep (taping, covering furniture, filling holes), 1-2 hours for cutting in edges, and 2-3 hours for rolling two coats with drying time between. A professional painter finishes the same room in 3-5 hours. Allow 2-4 hours of drying time between coats depending on humidity and paint type.
What paint finish should I use for interior walls?
Eggshell is the most popular choice for living rooms and bedrooms because it hides wall imperfections while offering easy cleanup. Satin works well in kitchens, bathrooms, and kids rooms because it resists moisture and scrubs clean. Flat/matte is best for ceilings and low-traffic rooms since it hides flaws but marks easily. Semi-gloss is standard for trim, doors, and moldings because it is highly durable and washable.
Do I need to prime walls before painting?
Prime when painting over dark colors, new drywall, patched areas, or stained surfaces. A coat of primer costs $15-$25 per gallon and saves you from needing a third coat of paint ($30-$60 per gallon). Paint-and-primer combos work for repainting similar or lighter colors on already-painted walls. For water stains or smoke damage, use a shellac-based primer like Zinsser BIN ($25-$30 per quart) which seals stains in one coat.
How do I avoid brush marks and roller lines?
Use a 3/8-inch nap roller for smooth walls and a 1/2-inch nap for textured walls. Load the roller evenly and roll in a W-pattern, then finish with light, straight passes in one direction. For cutting in with a brush, use a 2.5-inch angled sash brush and apply steady pressure. The most common mistake is overworking paint that has started to dry, which creates visible marks. Work in 4x4-foot sections and maintain a wet edge at all times.