While you don't have to be a pro to learn how to paint like one, there is a little more to a good paint job than just putting some colour on the wall. Be prepared, stay organised and you'll be able to get on with the satisfying business of transforming your room. So before you crack open your first can of paint, schedule some time for prep.
First start by making sure you have everything you need. Usually this will consist of a roller and roller tray, paint brushes, masking tape, sanding paper, dust sheets and last but not least the paint. You may also need a scraper and filler to repair any damages to the wall.
Cover the Floor
Then clear your room of any furniture or move it out of the way into the centre of the room, lay down some dust sheets on the floor and cover any furniture that is left in the room, as not to dirty anything.
If your walls have any cracks or holes in them these will need to be filled in, do so by using filler, allow it to dry and then sand it down to a flat, smooth surface.
Apply tape to the skirting boards, around window frames and electrical fittings as well as any other areas you want to protect from the paint. It is important to use a good quality tape, as sometimes tape can pull off the paint or allow the paint to bleed, so good quality tape will help to avoid this problem.
Taping Down the Edges
When painting on an already painted wall you may need to sand down the existing surface first especially if you wish to apply a different paint finish. If applying over a dark, contrasting colour you may want to apply a lighter basecoat colour first to minimise the number of coats you may need of the final colour.
