The right way to paint a room (most people get this wrong)

If one of your goals this year is to finally tackle the room that’s long overdue a refresh, you’re in the right place. While painting a room might seem straightforward, there are several important considerations to bear in mind to make the best use of your time, budget and effort.

Whether you’re updating a living room, kitchen or bedroom, paint has the power to completely transform a space — brightening it, adding warmth or setting a specific mood, depending on the colours you choose. But a successful result relies on more than just picking the perfect shade. Proper preparation, the right tools and a clear plan are essential if you want a flawless finish (and to avoid splattering the sofa in the process).

To help, we’ve created a practical, step-by-step guide covering exactly how to paint a room. We spoke to painting experts about what you’ll need, how long to set aside for the job and the professional techniques that make all the difference. They also share the key factors to consider before you lift a brush or roller, so you can approach your project with confidence.

More painting advice from the experts:

• We asked a paint expert what they’d never do in their home – here’s what they said
• Most people test paint colours wrong – here's what an expert recommends
• The one step everyone skips before painting – but DIY pros swear by it

There are a few essential supplies you should have at the ready before you paint a room:

• Drop cloths
• Polyfilla
• Sandpaper
• Primer
• Painter’s tape
• Paint brushes
• Paint rollers

As far as the amount of time you’ll need to set aside for this task, Chuck Reger of Five Star Painting explains that 'a standard room typically takes one to two days from prep to final touch-ups, depending on surface condition, drying time, and level of detail involved and size of the room.'

Kenneth Michaud, owner and founder of Total Quality Painting, adds that in most cases, the steps you’ll need to take to paint a room generally take between two and four hours each. That said, you don’t want to rush the process for optimal results.

If the room you plan on painting is smaller, doesn’t require much preparation, is in good condition, and doesn’t contain much trim, you can generally expect the process to take less time than if you’re painting a larger room with a complex layout or a lot of features to maneuver around. Furthermore, Chuck notes that factors such as ventilation and humidity can impact how long the walls take to dry.

Preparation is key

Rushing into a painting project without laying the proper groundwork is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes. Understanding why preparation matters, and how skipping it can compromise the final result, is essential. 'Most of the success comes from preparation, so spending time on cleaning, repairing, and priming will make the painting itself faster and far more effective,' says Chuck.

Check for any stains

Although it’s tempting to start painting straight away, taking the time to inspect your walls and ceilings first is essential. Look closely for stains, damp patches or areas of significant peeling, as these issues will need to be addressed before you begin for a smooth, long-lasting finish. 'If you see a good amount of paint peeling or any type of paint failure, yellow water-humidity stains, or black mould, it is best to consult a paint professional to assess the reason for the problem and how best to deal with it,' explains Juliano Da Cruz, painter at Paint LAB Painting.

Primer may be necessary

Knowing what colour you’re painting over (if any) is just as important as knowing the colour you’re using to paint. 'Dark colours to light will need to be primed,' says Chuck.

Step 1: Ensure your room is paint-ready

Never start painting without properly preparing, cleaning and clearing the space. 'Move furniture to [the] centre of the room, cover all exposed flooring with waterproof material and plastic over furniture and fixtures,' says Kenneth. The goal is to protect — or remove entirely — any furniture, soft furnishings or decorative items that could be splashed or marked by paint or primer.

Step 2: Make repairs and fill gaps

Once the room has been cleared or properly covered, take time to assess the condition of the surfaces. Check the walls, ceilings and trim for cracks, gaps or dents that need attention before you even think about opening a tin of paint. 'We recommend Bondo glazing putty for wood holes, quick-dry caulking for gaps, and Polyfilla for small dents or holes in the walls,' says Kenneth.

Step 3: Sand and wipe down your room

Before painting, every surface should be sanded — but begin with the areas you’ve just repaired. 'Start by sanding repairs you made until smooth and even,' Kenneth explains. 'Use a pole sander with 120-180 grit to lightly sand your walls, and a sanding block 180-220 grit to your trim and doors.' Don’t forget to wipe down the areas after sanding.

Step 4: Prime your room

Although primer is technically optional, it’s widely considered best practice — particularly if you want a professional-looking finish. 'If you are painting ceilings and walls, we highly recommend a high-build primer,' says Kenneth. 'This will also fill little pin holes and create a smooth, even surface for your paint.'

Step 5: Start painting (but don't forget to stir)

With your surfaces cleaned, repaired and sanded, you’re ready to begin painting. 'Before applying the paint, make sure to give it a thorough stir to ensure colour consistency. If using more than one tin of the same colour, mix them together,' says Chris Morgan, senior product manager at Ronseal.

Apply two coats as standard before reassessing the finish and deciding whether any additional coats are needed for full, even coverage.

Step 6: Let your paint dry and clean up

Once the paint has fully dried, you can begin the clear-up process — removing protective coverings, returning furniture to its place and carefully peeling away any masking tape from the trim. Kenneth notes that this is the ideal moment to pull up the tape, while the paint is set but not overly hardened, for the cleanest lines.

Living room wall painted in Terra Bella, Benjamin Moore

What is the correct order to paint a room?

'A general rule to remember when it comes to painting any room, is to paint in the correct order,' says Michael Rolland, interiors expert and MD of The Paint Shed. 'You should always start at the top and work your way down. This means ceilings before walls and walls come before skirting boards.

'Start by mixing your paint and then on a ladder cut in along the ceiling with a brush. Then using a roller attached to an extension pole you can paint the rest of the ceiling. Repeat this process when painting the walls, use a brush for edges then a roller before working your way down. Keep a clean damp cloth handy to remove any mistakes quickly, if a drop of paint is heading for the floor over the woodwork you can quickly wipe it away before it dries.'

What's the best painting technique?

When it comes to your painting tools, Juliano notes that the instrument you start with can impact your final result. 'Roll the surfaces first and cut with a brush last,' he advises. 'The roller moves faster than the paint brush.'

When you’re actually painting, Chuck notes that you should 'cut in edges before rolling, maintain a wet edge to avoid lap marks, use consistent pressure when rolling, and remove painter’s tape before the paint fully dries for crisp lines.'

What are common painting mistakes?

One of the most common (and frustrating) painting mistakes is underestimating how much paint a room requires. Running out halfway through the job can leave you with uneven colour, mismatched batches and an unnecessary dash to the DIY shop.

Measure your space, and minus the square metres for windows and doors. You’ll often need at least two coats, so multiply the figure by two. Take your total number and divide it by the metre squared per litre on your tin.

You'll also find that most retailers have paint calculators to make the process as simple as possible. Some options include:

• Dulux
• B&Q
• Wickes
• Wilko

Juliano says one of the most common painting mistakes people make is that they apply too much paint at once, resulting in a thick and heavy coat of paint, which could be avoided by applying two thin coats.

Similarly, Kenneth notes that you should do your best not to keep your paint sitting out for too long to ensure the paint’s properties remain in good condition throughout the entire painting process.

While it is important to purchase paint you can afford, Kenneth notes that one common mistake people make is using low-quality paint. He notes that these types of paint will generally offer a duller look and lifespan than higher-quality paint.

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