How to Paint a Room Like a Pro

Sean Burman
May 23, 2024
3 min read

Hey, everybody, Sean here with Elite Handyman Services of Pennsylvania. Saturdays are for the DIYers, and this series is for anyone looking to make their home a little bit nicer on their own. I absolutely love taking care of clients in the greater Philadelphia area, but I'm also passionate about helping people improve their homes on their own. So, if you're looking to enhance your home and want to try DIY, this series is for you.

Last time, we talked all about how to prepare a room for paint. Today, we’re diving into the actual painting process. Painting is generally pretty involved, and I’m going to walk you through the steps I take, the tools I use, and some handy tips along the way. If you have techniques that work for you or if there's something I may have missed, feel free to drop a comment below. Let's get into it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Painting a Room

1. Start High and Work Low

When painting, I like to let gravity be my guide. I start high and work my way down. This approach helps catch any drips as they happen. Whether you’re a DIYer or an experienced painter, drips are inevitable. Here’s how I handle them:

Towels: Always have a box of shop towels handy to wipe up drips immediately. Shop Towels
Alcohol Swabs: Useful for quick clean-ups. Alcohol Swabs
5-in-1 Tool: A versatile tool for scraping and smoothing out drips. Painter’s Tool

2. Ceiling First

Start with the ceiling using a flat white paint. Open your paint can with a 5-in-1 tool, and always stir your paint thoroughly. I keep paint stir sticks in my toolbox, which you can get for free at most big box stores. Paint Stir Stick

3. Cutting In

Use a good brush for cutting in around the edges. My favorite is the Black Max by Whizz, which holds a lot of paint and makes cutting in efficient. Pour your paint into a smaller container like a solo cup for easier handling. Whizz Paintbrush, Red Solo Cups

4. Rolling the Ceiling

Pour your paint into a roller liner and use a good roller. A 9-inch roller is ideal for most DIY projects. Roller Covers, 9” Roller, Roller Liner, Roller Pan

5. Walls Next

Follow the same procedure for the walls: stir the paint, cut in, and then roll. For walls, I recommend a semi-gloss finish. Cut in a wall, then roll it to ensure a consistent finish.

6. Trim and Woodwork

After the walls, move on to the trim and woodwork. Use a high-gloss white paint for a crisp finish. Once the paint is dry, I like to caulk the trim for a seamless look. Pole Extender

7. Sanding Between Coats

Between coats, I lightly sand the surfaces with 150-grit sandpaper to ensure a smooth finish. Sandpaper

Final Touches

Once the painting is done, walk through the room to check for any drips or inconsistencies. Remove all flooring protection, and put the room back in order.

Conclusion

Painting a room can be a big job, but with the right tools and approach, it’s definitely doable. If this sounds like more work than you want to tackle, and you're in the greater Philadelphia area, don't hesitate to reach out. I love painting, and it’s one of my favorite jobs to do. Contact me, and we’ll discuss your painting project.

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Happy painting!