Uploaded January 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Before you paint a room, it's important to do some preparation. This includes removing furniture and wall decor, checking to see if you need to repair any holes or damage before painting, and ensuring you have the necessary supplies on hand. For instance, you'll want to have a high-quality paint brush and a 3/8-inch nap roller.
If you need to repair wall damage, first lightly sand the area before using spackle to patch holes. Then sand the spackled surfaces so they are smooth.
Wash your walls with mild soap and warm water so that you have a clean surface to paint. If necessary, apply drywall patch.
If you're going to paint your walls a lighter color, it's a good idea to use paint primer over the dark paint before applying the new color.
Use painter's tape to achieve a clean paint line along baseboards, window frames and the ceiling.
Before rolling the paint onto the wall, use your paint brush to cut in around the ceiling, baseboards and trim. Fill the paint tray halfway with paint and slowly roll the paint roller from the ribbed part of the paint tray toward the paint. When the roller is saturated, roll it back and forth over the ribbed part of the tray to remove excess paint.
To prevent paint drips, apply paint beginning at the top of the wall, and work toward the bottom. For professional-looking results, apply the paint in a W shape, then fill in around it. Repeat this process until you've painted the entire wall. As you paint, maintain wet edges to avoid visible lines after the paint dries.
While the paint is still wet, remove the painter's tape at a 45-degree angle to prevents paint from peeling and the tape from tearing.
Finally, it's time to paint the trim with your angled paint brush. Use short strokes to cover just a few feet at a time, then smooth the paint using one long stroke..
Once the paint is dry, you can enjoy your room's updated look.
Read more about how to paint a room: rustoleum.com/pages/newsroom-and-blog/blog/how-to-paint-a-room
Find Zinsser primer products: rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/zinsser-products/multi-purpose-water-base-primer
Find Rust-Oleum Studio Color wall paint: rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/studio-color-wall-paint/interior/studio-color-interior-wall-paint
Find more products and resources from Rust-Oleum: rustoleum.com
Before you paint a room, it's important to do some preparation. This includes removing furniture and wall decor, checking to see if you need to repair any holes or damage before painting, and ensuring you have the necessary supplies on hand. For instance, you'll want to have a high-quality paint brush and a 3/8-inch nap roller.
If you need to repair wall damage, first lightly sand the area before using spackle to patch holes. Then sand the spackled surfaces so they are smooth.
Wash your walls with mild soap and warm water so that you have a clean surface to paint. If necessary, apply drywall patch.
If you're going to paint your walls a lighter color, it's a good idea to use paint primer over the dark paint before applying the new color.
Use painter's tape to achieve a clean paint line along baseboards, window frames and the ceiling.
Before rolling the paint onto the wall, use your paint brush to cut in around the ceiling, baseboards and trim. Fill the paint tray halfway with paint and slowly roll the paint roller from the ribbed part of the paint tray toward the paint. When the roller is saturated, roll it back and forth over the ribbed part of the tray to remove excess paint.
To prevent paint drips, apply paint beginning at the top of the wall, and work toward the bottom. For professional-looking results, apply the paint in a W shape, then fill in around it. Repeat this process until you've painted the entire wall. As you paint, maintain wet edges to avoid visible lines after the paint dries.
While the paint is still wet, remove the painter's tape at a 45-degree angle to prevents paint from peeling and the tape from tearing.
Finally, it's time to paint the trim with your angled paint brush. Use short strokes to cover just a few feet at a time, then smooth the paint using one long stroke..
Once the paint is dry, you can enjoy your room's updated look.
Read more about how to paint a room: rustoleum.com/pages/newsroom-and-blog/blog/how-to-paint-a-room
Find Zinsser primer products: rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/zinsser-products/multi-purpose-water-base-primer
Find Rust-Oleum Studio Color wall paint: rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/studio-color-wall-paint/interior/studio-color-interior-wall-paint
Find more products and resources from Rust-Oleum: rustoleum.com
