Mastering the Correct Order to Paint a Room

A Step-By-Step Guide for DIY Beginners: How to Perfectly Paint a Room by Learning the proper Sequence

When considering taking on an interior painting project, it can seem daunting to figure out the proper steps to transform a room in your home. However, by following a systematic, step-by-step guide, even amateur DIYers can learn how to prep, prime, and paint a room like a seasoned pro.

Before applying that first stroke of paint, the prep work is key to achieving flawless, professional-quality results. So let’s start at the very beginning by learning how to completely clear the room you’re painting.

Prep a Room for Interior Painting

Remove All Furnishings 

• The first step is to remove everything – and yes, we mean everything – from the room. Take out all furniture, rugs, wall hangings, plants, lamps, electronics, and anything else taking up space. Moving it into adjacent rooms or grouping items together and covering with drop cloths also works. The goal is to provide ample workspace to prep, prime and paint the entirety of all wall surfaces and the ceiling.

Take Down Window Treatments

• Remove curtains, shades and blinds. It’s up to you if you want to simply spread them out and cover them or temporarily hang them in another room. Regardless, window treatments need to come down prior to painting so paint doesn’t get on the fabrics.

Unmount & Remove Wall-Mounted Fixtures

• Take down any installed lighting fixtures, smoke detectors, thermostats, speakers or shelves. Place screws or hardware components in labeled bags for easy reinstallation. Cover and store wall-mounted items together to keep parts from getting misplaced.

Cover Permanent Fixtures

• For fixtures that can’t be readily removed – like HVAC registers, electrical outlets or built-in shelves – use painter’s tape and protective sheets to mask them off. This prevents paint splatters and drips during the painting process.

Check Floors & Remove or Cover Flooring

• Verify flooring materials and assess conditions. Fill cracks or holes in wood flooring with appropriate filler products. Cover hardwood, laminate or other flooring materials with canvas drop cloths for plenty of protection from spilled paint. If existing carpeting or area rugs can’t be removed, use canvas or plastic to cover flooring completely and tape down edges.

Prepping the Surfaces

Once everything is cleared from the room, roll up those sleeves and get ready to prep. Proper prep sets the stage for painting success. Here are the key steps:

1. Wash Surfaces: Use a mild soap and water solution combined with a soft sponge or microfiber cloths to gently wash walls and the ceiling to remove built-up dirt, grease or fingerprints. This allows primer and paint to properly adhere. Allow surfaces to fully dry before moving to the next prep step.
2. Repair Imperfections: Inspect all wall and ceiling surfaces closely for cracks, holes, exposed nails or other flaws. Use a putty knife to fill indentations with a lightweight spackling paste. Allow drying times specified on the spackling container. Once dry, sand patched areas smooth and remove dust with a tack cloth.
3. Sand Glossy Surfaces: For walls or ceilings with oil or latex gloss paint finishes, you’ll need to scuff sand to rough up the slick surface. This helps the new primer and paint bond tightly. Wear a dust mask and eye protection while gently sanding using 150-220 grit sandpaper.
4. Remove Wallpaper: If eliminating wallpaper before painting, use a perforator tool and hot water or a steamer to penetrate the adhesive layer. Once wallpaper is removed, make sure residual glue residue is cleared off prior to priming or painting. Follow manufacturer’s directions for adhesive removers.
5. Caulk Along Trim & Moldings: Use a high-quality paintable latex caulk and caulking gun to seal up gaps between baseboards, crown molding, window or door trim and the walls. Smooth the caulk bead with a moist fingertip before allowing it to dry. Caulking creates better paint coverage across transitions.

Priming Walls & Ceilings

Now we’re ready to apply primer – the MVP that blocks stains, enhances paint adhesion and unifies textures and porosity differences on various wall areas. Here’s how to do it right:

Choose Your Primer

For the best results possible, select quality primer designed specifically for your painting project. Opt for drywall primer for new drywall construction or a stain-blocking primer if you’re painting over a darker color. Multi-purpose latex primers work for basic painting prep.

Use Painter’s Tape

Apply strips of low-tack painter’s tape around trim, windows, outlets and floors. This keeps primer and paint off adjoining surfaces. Remove tape carefully within 1-2 hours of painting before it becomes too stuck on.

Cut In With a Brush

Use an angled trim brush to first apply primer to tricky corners, edges and hard-to-reach crevices in a process called “cutting in.” This is done before rolling primer onto larger areas. Allow sections brushed in to completely dry before rolling nearby.

Roll On Primer

Using a paint roller with a 1/4″ to 1/2” nap, apply a liberal coat of primer to walls and ceilings using “W” or “V” rolling techniques. Work in 3′ x 3′ sections and use a paintbrush to smoothly blend edges of adjoining areas. Allow to dry fully before sanding or interior painting.

Sand Between Coats 

Once fully cured, use 220 grit sandpaper to smooth any drips or uneven texture on primed surfaces for better results when painting. Thoroughly wipe away dust with a lint-free rag dipped in clean water before adding paint.

Choosing Paint Products

Now comes the fun part – picking the paint! You’ll make specific choices depending on your end goal, but here are helpful buying considerations as you select primer and paint:

• Finish Type – Choose flat, matte, eggshell, satin or high-gloss based on the room, your tastes and cleaning needs. 
• Quality Grade – Opt for premium over economy for enhanced coverage, durability and longevity.
• Color Palette – Select 3-4 coordinated options – like deep tone for accent wall and lighter hues for remaining walls.
• Specialty Paint – Evaluate needs for bathroom humidity resistance, washable kitchen paint etc.
• Paint + Primer formualtions – All in one primer and paint for simpler application.
• Quantity – Use a paint calculator to determine exactly how many gallons you’ll require.

Paint Storage & Preparation

Once home from the store, proper storage and mixing steps prevent avoidable errors:

• Control Temperature: Never freeze paint or primer! Store at room temperature around 65° F – 75° F prior to painting day. Avoid temperature extremes that could affect application.
• Check for Settling: Shake cans or stir with flat wooden sticks reaching the bottom to re-blend pigment and solids that settled during storage from the liquid above it.
• Box & Mix Different Cans: Pour contents of different gallons into one larger container if making a single uniform color. Stir thoroughly every 15-30 minutes as you paint.
• Use Paint Conditioner: For thicker paints, add compatible paint conditioner to improve flow and leveling on wall surfaces for reduced brush and roller drag.
• Securely Reseal Containers: Between painting sessions, wipe rims clean prior to tightly sealing cans to prevent dries lids that don’t reopen well.

Painting Techniques from Start to Finish

This is what it all comes down to! Follow these pro tips as you progress through painting tasks:

• Plan Direction Strategy: Map out what parts you’ll paint first, second and last to methodically move around the room without bumping into wet edges as they dry.
• Cut In With Trim Brush: Use angled brush to strategically paint corners, edges, window and door trim. Allow to dry before rolling larger expanses so defined paint lines don’t get accidentally smudged later.
• Apply Primer Coat: If not already completed, prime surfaces using aforementioned application tips prior to painting the finish color.
• Pour Paint into Tray: Line tray with plastic to quickly reuse trays rather than cleaning. This also saves on paint supplies. Pour just enough for roller to pickup sufficient amount.
• Saturate Roller Cover: Dip roller vertically then roll back and forth over textured ramp area until cover is fully loaded with paint. Tap edges against ramp to remove excess pooling paint from roller surface.
• Paint Ceiling First: Ceilings are most prone to accidental drips and splatters falling on newly painted walls so complete this surface first. Use “W” and sideways “N” rolling techniques for even coverage corner to corner.
• Paint Walls Methodically: Systematically apply painted starting at a far upper corner rolling downward in approximately 3’ x 3’ sections. Blend borders into previously painted areas before reloading roller.
• Inspect Between Coats: Check for desired color coverage and any gaps, drips etc. Sand or smooth flaws between coats. Allow proper dry times before adding finish coats.
• Detail Trim & Touch Ups Last: Use trim brushes to cut-in unpainted edges around moldings, outlets or spots missed then gently blend.
• Remove Tape Promptly: Peel up painters tape around trim within about an hour of paint drying or residue could be left behind on surfaces.

Cleanup & Final Steps You’re so close to completion! Just a few more final tasks:

Clean Equipment Promptly 

After finishing the painting job, thoroughly clean brushes, rollers and other paint tools in warm soapy water until water runs clear. Allow to fully dry before storing covered to prevent dust build up.

Check Walls & Floors

Inspect for stray paint drips or spills on floors, baseboards and adjacent surfaces. Wipe up right away before drying using paint thinner or removers if needed on hard surfaces.

Air Out Room

If planning to sleep elsewhere, open windows and set up fans to circulate air to prevent inhaling paint fumes. Shut tightly when moisture and odors dissipate.

Replace Removed Items

Rehang window treatments and lighting fixtures once paint has cured completely. Install wall mounted décor and move furniture back in!

Extend Interior Painting to Other Rooms

Now that you know how to prep and paint flawlessly, consider taking on painting additional rooms using the same trusted products and techniques.

We hope you found our comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to paint an entire room helpful. Painting a room can be a daunting task, but with the right guidance, even amateur DIYers can achieve professional-looking results. By dedicating adequate time for extensive preparation work and following our instructions from start to finish, you’ll be able to transform any room in your home. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. With each project, your skills will improve, and soon enough, you’ll be painting like a pro. 
If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to PGS Painters & Remodeling. Happy painting!