Paint a room, start to finish

Painting a room is the classic first big project. Most of the result comes from prep. Give it a full day for an average bedroom, with two coats.

Prep

1. Move furniture to the middle and cover it; lay drop cloths along the walls
2. Remove outlet and switch cover plates and keep the screws together
3. Patch holes, sand, and spot-prime the patches
4. Wipe dusty walls with a damp cloth; wash greasy kitchen walls with mild detergent and rinse
5. Tape trim only if you need to; many people cut in freehand

Paint

1. Stir the paint well; box (mix together) several cans of the same color
2. Cut in first: brush a 2 to 3 inch band along the ceiling, corners and trim
3. Roll each wall while the cut-in edges are still wet, in sections about 3 feet wide, using a W pattern then smoothing straight up and down
4. Keep a wet edge and don't go back over areas that have started to dry
5. Let it dry as the can says, then do the second coat the same way

Clean up

• Pull tape while the last coat is still slightly soft, at an angle
• Wash water-based paint out of brushes with warm soapy water
• Wrap a roller and tray in a plastic bag if you're continuing tomorrow
• Don't pour paint down the drain; check your local rules for leftover paint disposal

General painting information. Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint; don't sand or scrape old paint until you've tested it. Easy Home Tasks isn't paid by any brand or store.