3 Simple Steps
for Painting a Room

Step 1: Preparation

First, determine how much paint you need for the project. Measure the height and width of all of the walls you plan to paint a certain color. Next, measure the doors and windows. Use the Sherwin-Williams online paint calculator to figure out how many gallons of paint you require. When you purchase the paint, make sure that you also purchase all of the tools and materials necessary for the project.

The next step in the process is preparing the room. Remove furniture from the room along with paintings, drapes and anything else that might get in the way or get damaged by the paint. Use painter’s tape to cover light fixtures on the ceiling and to create crisp edges around doors and windows. Lastly, remove the faceplates from electrical outlets and light switches. Be sure to put them in a safe place.

Step 2: Paint the Room

Start at the top of the room and work your way down. If you are painting the ceiling, then start there. If you spatter any paint on the walls, you will be able to cover it up easily. Use a paint brush to cut in a border around baseboards, door jambs, window sills and the corners of the room. Then apply paint to the rest of the walls using a roller and working in 2-square-foot sections at a time. Wait for the paint to dry completely before adding a second coat.

Paint the window frames next, starting at the top and working your way down to the sill. Make sure the door is the last thing you paint, so that you won’t smudge the paint while entering and exiting the room. Remove all of the tape when the paint is dry.

Step 3: Clean Up

Once you are finished painting, the only step left is cleaning up. Use detergent and warm water to clean latex paint off of brushes and roller covers. Tightly seal the paint cans with the lids to prevent any accidental spills. Be sure to check with your community to learn the proper procedure for disposing of unused paint.

Now that your room is painted, you can move all of the furniture back in and start decorating. By following these three steps, you can completely transform the appearance of a room to keep the style fresh and invigorating.