It’s been on the home improvement list for months, and now it’s finally time for you to tackle the painting project in your house. Interior painting might seem like something you can just sort of wing, but for the best results, you’ll want a careful plan and preparation so your hard work doesn’t have to be repainted soon. Whether it’s for a large room overhaul or a small touch-up place, you can definitely do it yourself: but you want to do it right! Let’s explore some important tips and tricks for a DIY interior painting job.
Plan Your Job Beforehand
When it comes to painting, not every project is going to have the same steps. Touching up a room that you’ve previously painted is way different than redoing your whole bathroom. But whatever level your project is at, you’ll want to consider questions like this when planning:
- Can the project be completed in one session?
- If yes: when will you schedule that time, and about how long will it take?
- If no: how will you store materials and use the area while it’s being painted?
- Do you need to buy paint for the project?
- If yes: have you picked the shade?
- If no: have you checked the shelf life of the paint you have?
- Will you need a separate primer? (Some projects will, and some won’t. Usually, you’ll need a more robust primer if you’re painting over damaged walls or doing a dramatic color switch. Also, some paints are both paint and primer in one, so make sure to be clear on what you have or what you’re buying before you get a separate primer.)
- How many coats of paint will you need?
- Do some research to determine what others have done in your shoes!
An important aspect of planning out your DIY interior paint job before starting is to consider what value you want to add to your home. For example, a refreshed coat in the living area can bring a modern sophistication that can have a dollar sign attached when you’re looking to sell your place. In addition to these kinds of concrete financial aspects, don’t underestimate the sheer homeowner pride that comes from having a well-maintained home. You can beam with pride every time you pass the spot where your DIY interior paint job was a success. The right color and finish of paint can be a mood booster as well as a way to express your own style and preferences, claiming the space as your own.
Don’t Forget the Little Things
Whether you’re in the planning mode or in the middle of painting, it’s easy to get caught up in the big picture: the new color statement, the sweeping changes, and other grand aspects of your project. But the little things are just as important for the finished product. For example, you don’t want to forget about the trim! Picking a paint color is important, but the finish can be just as critical. Also, before committing to a color, we recommend that you paint a small swatch of your wall in the sample to ensure that it has the desired look. Try to see this in as many views as possible: light on and off, day, night, etc.
You need to get paint, of course, but there are also other items you’ll want to get, such as a tray, roller, stir stick, drop cloth, and different kinds of brushes. Spackle, sandpaper, and painter’s tape also need to be on your list. When you tackle painting the DIY way, you want to be prepared with extras in case you aren’t quite as efficient as you planned.
Cleaning, Prepping, and Taping
Before starting to paint, clean off dust or grime from the surface. If you have any holes or gaps in the wall, spackle and let dry before continuing. Sand uneven or chipped spots so you have a smooth surface to paint.
Painter’s tape is not the area to skimp or rush. When you put your tape down, you need a perfect adhesion for the best results. Start at a corner so you can tape completely around the perimeter of your project’s space.
When you’re ready to paint, stir your paint with your stirring stick, then pour paint to fill about a quarter of the tray. Then it’s time to dip your roller in and follow proper painting technique.
Painting Technique
Even when you do all the proper preparation for painting, when you actually start the painting process, there are plenty of things to keep in mind. Where possible, you want to maintain what’s called a “wet edge” when you paint, where the roller strokes overlap the previous ones before the paint dries. It typically looks like a “W” shape. This process works best when you:
- Start near a corner
- Run the roller up and down the wall’s entire height
- Move over slightly with each stroke
- Reload the roller frequently so it’s never getting dry
- Position your roller so the open side of its frame faces what you’ve already painted
In terms of order, it’s best if you paint the trim first. This is easier to tape off and then you don’t have to be as precise with this paint job, because you can cover any excess trim paint when you paint the walls afterward. Always let the first coat dry before painting the second, and let one area (such as trim) completely dry before moving the tape and then going on to the next part of your project.
Piggyback Your Projects
If you’re doing all the right preparation and technique, you’ll see great results with your DIY interior painting project - but it’s worth your time and effort to consider pairing it with another. When you piggyback painting projects together, you often save time and money, because you already have some of the materials and you’re used to the painting process.
And this type of pairing doesn’t have to only be indoors! There are many positive effects of exterior painting, too. Whatever paint projects are on the horizon for your home, you can succeed with the proper preparation and technique.
