Interior Painting Tips: How to Efficiently Paint a Room

Interior painting is harder than it looks. The best painters make it look easy. If you’ve ever tried to paint a room, then you know how challenging it can be.

Fortunately, we’re here to help. Our Paint and Sip LIVE classes teach you how to paint in a fun environment. But painting isn’t just a fun skill to learn: it’s a practical skill that could save you money.

Whether you’re painting a room for the first time or wanting to improve, here are some of the best tips for efficiently painting a room.

Do the Prep Work to Save Time

Doing prep work today can save you a considerable amount of time. Yes, prep work is tedious. But it can transform your painting project.

Some of the best prep work tips include:

• Pick and test paints before you buy a specific color. Test paints during the day and night. Let paints dry. Try paints on different walls of the room.

• Decide whether you want a matte or glossy finish.

• Choose the right brush and roller. You can choose a brush with synthetic or natural bristles. You can choose rollers with short, medium, or long pile lengths. Different brushes and rollers work best on different surfaces.

• Remove the furniture or cover it. Cover any floors or other exposed areas with a drop cloth.

• Apply painter’s tape to the baseboards, windowsills, light switches, and other areas.

• Fill in the holes using Polyfilla or a similar substance.

• Scrape away peeling paint from the walls, then sand and wash the walls as needed.

Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to start priming.

Prime Walls with a Tinted Paint Primer

Using a paint primer can save you a considerable amount of effort. Using a tinted paint primer can save you even more effort.

Sure, you could just apply a paint primer and be happy with that. Or, you could mix in a small bit of your color with the primer to create a tinted paint primer. Tinting your paint primer can reduce the number of coats your walls need.

You don’t have to use a paint primer, and it’s not necessary for all types of walls. However, a tinted paint primer could save you considerable time and effort.

Mix Paint Into One Container

Many people make the rookie mistake of mixing paint separately. You use multiple buckets and multiple trays, leading to inconsistent colors throughout the room.

Instead, mix all paints into one bucket and stir it thoroughly. Even if you bought the same paint color and tint, paints can look slightly different. Keep it in one container to maintain a consistent appearance.

Always Work from Top to Bottom

Now that you’re ready to start painting, remember one of the most important rules of interior painting: always paint from top to bottom.

If you’re painting your ceiling, then paint the ceiling first and allow it to dry before starting on your walls. Be sure to apply both coats to your ceiling before starting on the walls.

Painting your Ceiling

You don’t have to paint your ceiling. If you do paint it, however, then paint across the width of the room instead of the length.

Start painting your ceiling in the corners, then work your way out.

Roll excess paint from your paint rollers to prevent dripping. It’s easy to overload your roller and have drops accumulate below. Don’t waste paint.

Use Expert Brush Techniques for Fine Painting Work

It’s best to do the edgework before you use the paint rollers. Once the finer details are covered, it’s easy to cover the rest of the wall with your roller.

Edgework seems more challenging than it is. If everything is covered in painter’s tape, then you have nothing to worry about.

By practicing basic paintbrush techniques, you can make edgework a breeze:

• Wet your brush before dipping it in the paint, then blot it to prevent the paint from dripping. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a paintbrush (and hand) covered in paint.

• Use a small brush to paint a 3 to 5 inch strip along the perimeter of the wall and ceiling. This gives you enough space to cover the rest with your roller.

• Paint in long continuous strokes instead of dabbing the paint brush. Otherwise, you’ll end up with noticeable lines.

• Use the narrow part of the brush (not the wide side) to paint trims, light switches, and windowsills. It might feel awkward at first, but it makes it easier to paint.  

Use the W Pattern with your Roller

Another important rule of interior painting is to use the W technique with the roller. When using a roller, apply the paint to your walls in a W pattern, then fill in the gaps without lifting the roller away from the wall.

Why the W technique? It’s the easiest way to cover a large surface, but it also reduces the appearance of lines. If you were to apply paint vertically or horizontally, you may notice lines or stroke marks. The W pattern avoids this.

Review your Work

Inevitably, you’ll miss some spots when painting. Be sure to review your work. Check the trims. Check your corners. Re-apply paint to problem areas using your brush or roller.

Review your work continuously to prevent uneven blending. After completing your edgework, for example, be sure to check the edgework before you start using the roller.

Enjoy Learning a New Skill!

At Paint and Sip LIVE, we love watching our guests learn a new skill. Most of our guests have limited painting experience: they’re here to have fun while painting something cool.

Just like our virtual painting classes, interior painting can be fun when you crank the tunes. Have fun with it and enjoy learning a new skill.

To book a Paint and Sip LIVE virtual painting class today, check our schedule and book your ticket for as little as $20.

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