In This Post:
Material for painting a room
DIY guide for painting a home’s interior
Ready to update the current theme of your house? Don’t forget to take a look at our guide on how to paint the interior of your home. From the material you need to the finishing touches – we have you covered.
Painting the interior of your house [including walls, doors, ceiling, gates, and beams] is a great way to spruce up your living space. However, this DIY-ing the task can quickly turn into a headache if you’re not aware of the basics and don’t have the right tools. To help you out with the process, we have divided this guide into two sections. First, we’ll list down the things you’ll need to paint the interior of your home. Afterwards, we will share a step-by-step guide on how to paint the interior of your home like a pro!
Things You Will Need to Paint a Room in Your House
Every DIY paint project is unique and requires a different set of tools, materials, and equipment, depending on the technique and the condition of the interior. If you are looking forward to acing the task, then you must have the following:
Tools for Painting
- Paint
- Paint roller
- Paint roller extension pole
- Drop cloths
- Paintbrushes
- Paint tray
- Sandpaper
- Painter’s tape
- Rags
- Putty knife
- Plastic sheets
- Joint compound or plaster
Safety Gear
Safety should be your top priority. Before you get your hands covered in paint, make sure you have taken all the protective measures:
- Safety goggles
- Face mask
- Knee pads
- Rubber gloves
Pro Tip: The final results of your DIY project mainly depend on the equipment’s quality. So, don’t try to save money and buy low-quality paint or brushes. Cheap brushes will make your walls look like they have been smeared, and they will start to bristle in no time. Buy high-quality paint as well. You can take help from our recent posts where we have listed all the popular paint brands in Pakistan.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Paint the Interior of Your Home Properly
We recently shared some tips on how to prepare the interior for a paint job, where we had shared a guide on what areas require your most attention. And now, here’s our step-by-step guide on how to paint your home’s interior on your own:
- Step 1: Use A Paint Calculator
- Step 2: Preparation & Protection
- Step 3: Cover the Fixtures and Flooring
- Step 4: Fix Holes and Cracks
- Step 5: Sand Away the Flaws
- Step 6: Begin Painting in Steps
- Step 7: Finishing the Job
Before we begin getting into the details of each step, we’d like you to know that we have found the definite answer to the debate of wallpaper vs. paint. Check out our blog to find out what will work for your interior.
Step 1: Use A Paint Calculator
Having a clear estimate of how much paint you will require can save you from several trips to the hardware store and a lot of cash. If you are wondering how much paint you should buy for your interior, begin by measuring the area you want to paint. Take measurements of the length of each wall. Then, multiply the length with the height of the room – from ceiling to floor. The resultant will be the square footage of the room. However, the calculation doesn’t end here.
Generally, paint coverage per gallon is about 350 sq ft. Next, you’ll have to divide the area size [that you have calculated above] with 350 to find the number of gallons you need to purchase. This calculation is used for a room only, and you will have to calculate the ceiling, windows, and doors separately with different formulas.
For further guidance on the subject, navigate to our recently published blog, where we have shared an easy guide for paint calculation, along with examples.
Step 2: Preparation and Protection
The protection of your home’s interior should be among your top priorities. You don’t want to end up in a situation where the LED TV or an antique piece of furniture gets covered in paint. Hence, preparing your home for paint will help you avoid any damage to valuable possessions, such as furniture, carpet, etc. Before you start covering your walls and moving your furniture, make sure you have taken the below-mentioned measures:
- Dust-off grit and dirt from everything using a soft dusting cloth.
- Find a safe space in your house and keep your valuable possession [such as jewellery, credentials, etc.] over there if you plan to move your furniture outside.
- Move everything out of the room to the lounge and make space for the painting equipment.
- Cover the furniture, carpet, gadgets, and other items with plastic sheets.
Step 3: Cover the Fixtures and Flooring
Next up, cover the fixtures and flooring of the room. We know for a fact that nothing is more upsetting when you have done a good job at painting but haven’t taken enough measures to protect the fixtures and flooring from paint splatters. To avoid the hassles of scraping off the paint, just cover everything with adhesive tape before you begin. Apply the tape all over, then press it with a putty knife for a good seal. It will prevent paint bleed from slipping through and ruining the fixtures or flooring.
At this point, we would also recommend using a painter’s tape instead of buying ordinary masking tape. It can leave a residue that’s pretty hard to clear off since we are avoiding all kinds of hassles. On the other hand, a painter’s tape can be left for up to two weeks and still come off easily. Not to mention, it prevents the paint from bleeding.
Next, cover the floor with rags. Be certain that they don’t have holes to avoid paint seeping through. Again, use a painter’s tape to secure the cloth and prevent it from slipping away.
Pro Tip: You can also paint your old furniture to give them a new life. Check out our post on how to give new life to the old furniture and discover some unique ideas.
Step 4: Fix Holes and Cracks
The best way to paint a wall is to fix it before applying paint to it. As part of preparing your interior for a new paint job, you must conduct a thorough inspection of your house. Look for cracks, leakages, and holes, especially in the areas mentioned below:
- Near the windows
- Around the corners and skirting
- Anywhere close to a heavy wall decoration
- In the areas with water passage
If you find any of the damages mentioned above, get them fixed as soon as possible. Holes and cracks can easily be filled with joint compound and scrapper. Try to level it with the wall and wait for it to completely dry before beginning the painting process.
Step 5: Sand Away the Flaws
A successful paint job begins with preparation, so prepare the surface you are going to paint. You need a perfectly smooth surface for a high-quality job. Level the walls with find-grit sandpaper. It is recommended that you begin sanding from baseboards then move up to the ceiling after sanding the walls. Avoid putting a high amount of pressure on the sanding paper – you don’t want to damage the walls.
Step 6: Begin Painting in Steps
Now, you are all set to properly paint the interior of your home. Pick a corner and start painting it. Wait for it to dry to check the results. Then, paint the entire room.
Remember, painting an entire house on your own requires a lot of patience and perseverance. If you feel tired or drained, take a pause, rest, and then start painting again. Avoid exhausting yourself with too much work. Just focus on painting a single room, then move on to the next room. Take your time and focus on the process rather than the result.
If you are taking a break, cover the paint bucket/container with a damp towel – it will help the paint from drying out quickly. Also, when you are switching between brushing and rolling, try to keep them wet by covering them. No matter what you do, just keep your paint and tools from drying out when not in use.
Step 7: Finishing the Job
Painting a room is quite easy, but finishing the job requires special attention. Take enough time to rest and charge yourself. Once you feel completely energised, start from removing all the tape and gather drop clothes [that you have used to cover the floor]. If you notice any splashes or spills, make sure they’re completely dry before removing them. Use mineral spirits to take off the paint. Clean the tools and store them tools in a safe place. Who knows, you might need them later to fix something.
So, this was our take on how to paint the interior of your home like a pro. We have written this guide to help you save some money and ace this DIY project without any help. We hope our attempt will help you keep your home’s interior in top shape, while simultaneously saving you from unnecessary troubles.
If these tricks have worked out for you, let us know about your experience at blog@zameen.com.
Also, read our guide on painting a staircase and the difference between exterior and interior paints. If you are allergic to paint fumes, you can get rid of it by taking a look at our recent post on how to get rid of paint fumes.
On a side note, if you are looking for ideas to cover your walls without paint, we have recently covered top renter-friendly ideas to decorate your walls and some hacks for hanging things on walls without damaging them with nails. These simple guides will help you decorate your walls without using a single drop of paint.
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