Paint Your Home Like a Pro

Picking Your Paint

Purchase your paint from a well-known brand to ensure the paint is of high quality. A general rule of thumb is to buy one gallon for every 350 square feet of surface area.

There are two different types of paint: oil-based paint and water-based paint, known as latex paint. Latex paint is more common because it dries quickly, has fewer fumes, offers ample gloss and cleans up easily with water. As for paint finishes, semi-gloss and high-gloss paints are ideal for trim and smaller surface areas, while a flat paint finish is suited for low-traffic areas and ceilings, and a satin or eggshell paint finish is best for higher traffic areas.

Painting Tools

• Spackle and spatula

• Paint scraper

• Fine sand paper

• Mild soap and water solution

• Dry cloth or sponge

• Painter's tape

• Drop cloth

• Paint brushes and roller, including an angled paint brush

• Paint Tray

• Primer

• Paint

Before You Paint

1. Clean the room and put down the drop cloth.

2. Use the paint scraper to scrape off any loose paint, and spackle any holes or other flaws. Sand it smooth.

3. Soak the dry cloth or sponge in the soap and water solution to clean the walls, trim, baseboards, windows and doorways.

4. Apply the painter's tape.

Painting Techniques

1. You will need to apply primer if you are going from an oil-based paint to water-based paint, or if the existing paint color is darker than the new one. Pour the primer in the paint tray. Use an angled brush to prime the corners and edges of the room first. Then use the paint roller to prime the rest of the walls, from top to bottom. Clean the paint tray and brushes.

2. Pour the paint in a paint tray. Use an angled paint brush to paint the corners and edges. Then use the paint roller to paint the rest of the room. Start with the ceiling, walls then trim. Paint long, straight brush strokes.

3. Clean the brushes and trays. Remove the painter's tape. Let the paint dry before applying a second coat.

4. Repeat step two for the second coat. Then clean the brushes and remove the painter's tape before the paint dries.