With so many areas in life, preparation is the most important part. Whether it be training for a fitness goal or something as simple going to the grocery store, the amount of prep work you put in affects your execution. The same is true when you are painting.
For painting specifically, I believe that prep work has two main benefits. First, prepping the area well makes the process more efficient. Once you start, you don’t want to have to put your brush or roller down to fix something. I find that the paint can thicken the longer you are working.
Secondly, prepping the area well will give you better results in the end. After all your hard work, do you really want to see lots of holes or imperfections? Fix them before you even think about painting!
I’ve recently spent time redecorating my daughter’s new big girl bedroom and I was very intentional to make sure I was prepared and ready to go before I even opened the first paint can. Based on this recent experience as well as all the times I did it WRONG, here’s my take on the best way to prepare a room for painting.
1. Gather your supplies
Bring all the supplies you will need into the space where you will be painting. You don’t want to be running in and out looking for items once you’ve started.
When selecting your paint color, I encourage you to buy as many paint samples as you need to help you make your selection. Check for color, sheen, or even brands if you don’t already have a favorite.
I purchased 3 separate paint samples for my daughter’s room (thankfully, we live very close to the store). I was very pleased with my choice because I took the time to test out a couple different options (I had no idea there were so many grey options out there!)
2. Empty the room completely
Once you have the supplies you need, empty the room completely. Take apart beds, move dressers, and get as much out of the space as absolutely possible. Put items in closets if you must, but keep your space clear of obstacles.
If it’s not possible to empty the room entirely, then place the remaining items in the very center of the room. You should be able to paint easier with it being in the middle of the space versus scattered about.
3. Remove all outlet or switch covers
It may seem obvious, but it can be easy to forget this. I like to put all the screws and covers in a small Ziploc bag so that I don’t lose them while I’m painting. Those little screws are tiny, so I don’t take any chances anymore.
4. Putty any nail holes or dents
Now it’s time to prep the walls. Apply putty to any damaged areas or nail holes, let it dry, and then sand lightly. I love using DryDex* because I know it’s completely dry once it turns white. Try to use as little putty as you can. The more you use, the more you’ll eventually have to sand away in order to get the area smooth.
Please don’t skip this part. You may have the most beautiful paint color selected, but if you are applying it to walls with lots of imperfections, it will take away from your wall color.
5. Dust the walls/trim
Cobwebs seem to grow like weeds around my house! I usually vacuum the room and use my attachment to get any obvious cobwebs on the walls or in the corners.
I like to also go over the baseboard quickly with a cloth to get any other dust or lint out of the area. Again, you don’t want to have to put your brush or roller down once you start, so do this before you even begin.
6. Put down any protective barrier
This is a personal preference, but I think it’s good to put some sort of protective barrier down around the edges of the walls I’ll be painting. I like to use old cardboard boxes or sheets along the edges of the room, but you could also use newspaper or a drop cloth. The times when I get lazy are the times when I usually end up with some drips.
7. Tape off any trim or areas that need protection
I avoid taping off trim if at all possible, but many people swear by this. I have found that a steady hand and going slowly works much better for me! When I have used painters tape, I really loved Frog Tape*. I think it does a great job preventing bleeds.
Giving a room a fresh coat of paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to update a space, so it’s easy to want to jump right in head first! When you are anxious to get your painting project started, it can be really hard to focus on the prep work. It’s not nearly as fun as the instant gratification you get once you get the paint on the walls. Even though it’s not exciting, I think you’ll find that your painting project goes more smoothly and efficiently when you’ve spent the time necessary on your prep work!
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What do you think is the most important step of a painting project?
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