How to Paint a Room

HOW TO PAINT A ROOM - (courtesy of PPG Paint)

#1: PREPPING THE ROOM
After you've found the right paint colour, you’ll have to start your job by removing artwork,  window coverings, wall plates and light switch covers.

Cover the floor with drop cloths to protect them from any drips or splatters. Move as much furniture out of the room as possible or move to the centre of room and also cover with drop cloths. 

#2: PREPPING THE WALLS
Clean your walls with a mild detergent or TSP. Then wipe them gently to clean off any dirt or debris.

After the walls are dry, patch any holes and imperfections with spackle and sand after the areas dry.

Gently clean the sanded areas to remove dust.

#3: TAPE TIME
Use 1½ or 2-inch painter's tape to mask the baseboards, trim and other areas you are not painting.

#4:  PAINTING
Using a 2-inch angled paint brush, brush paint along the edges of the wall, windows and corners. This is known as “cutting in”.   For best results, work in one small area at a time, cutting in and then rolling the entire wall.
If you are painting your ceiling as well, make sure you do that first.

#5: ROLL IT ON
Once you finish your edging, you can start to roll.

Load your roller and work from top to bottom. Roll the paint roller back and forth across the wall in a series of V- or W-shaped strokes until the section is covered.

Overlap areas already painted. Lightly lift the roller off the wall to avoid leaving end marks and to seamlessly blend different areas.

Work in relatively small areas from the top to the bottom. When the area is filled, do light strokes down the wall. 
Wait 2 to 4 hours for the first coat to dry before applying a second coat.

#6: FINISHING TOUCHES
Next, use an angled sash trim brush to paint trim and doors.

The angled brush allows you to reach corners easier while keeping your lines straight.

Be careful not to run paint into the walls that you’ve already finished.

#7: CLEAN UP
Be sure to remove the painter's tape before the paint is completely dry. 

Tightly seal remaining paint in cans.

Clean paint brushes and rollers with warm soapy water.

Remove drop cloths, move furniture back into place and enjoy your freshly painted room.