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You decided to paint your room, now what?
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items If you haven't checked, professional painters are crazy expensive. Interior painting is a classic DIY job and, in a way, a rite of passage for many of us. Once you've made the decision to paint your room and you've bought the paint, you'll need to ha...
Sections
4
The Paint Can
Applying the Paint
Holding the Paint
Handy Accessories
The Paint Can
It all starts here, but don't get ahead of yourself.
In many scenarios, the color you're covering will be dark and may ultimately bleed through the paint you apply. Always a good idea to have primer on hand and I've had luck with this KILZ option.
KILZ (primer)
This often-forgotten little guy is very helpful when it comes to opening the paint can. Sure, you can use a flathead screwdriver, but the angle on this multi-tool makes it easier.
Paint multi-tool (key)
When you buy paint, the store will typically give you one stir stick for free. I like to have several on hand, especially if using paint you bought a while ago. Super cheap, but necessary to mix the paint if it has been sitting/separating for a long ...
Stir sticks
It will feel a bit clunky at first but I promise you this was an investment worth making. The amount of spillage when pouring the gallon can is crazy. This spout cut the mess by 95% for me.
Paint can pour spout
Applying the Paint
Show up to the job with the right tools ready to go.
Possibly the MVP when it comes to interior painting. Affordable and reusable. Makes the job 100x faster versus using a brush the whole time.
Paint roller
Very basic. It screws into the end of virtually every roller and give you 4 extra feet of reach. Game-changer in tall rooms.
Roller extension rod
Gets the paint where you need it. Get more than you think you'll need and don't buy the cheap ones. Quality matters here.
Roller covers
My lessons when it comes to brushes are 1) have several size options and 2) pay for quality. Nothing worse than using a low-quality, too-wide brush in a tight spot.
Brushes
I've had success with a basic edger like this one. You do need to apply the paint carefully and go slowly (hopefully you taped!), but it can be faster and look better than brushwork.
Paint edger
Alternatively, you can use this spatula in combination with a brush to do the edging. It can be slower because now you're not holding the paint tray, but some people prefer this method.
Paint spatula
Holding the Paint
Please, get some trays. Don't dip the brushes in the gallon can.
Get a hard plastic, reusable option. Those flimsy, cheap ones will be a regret and make the job take longer.
Paint tray
Perfect for brushwork. Small enough so that, when full, it's not too heavy. Carry it around when doing that edging.
Handheld paint tray
Handy Accessories
Make the work a bit cleaner and a bit easier.
Believe it or not, even the quality of the tape matters. Most of the blue options I've tried end up having paint bleed through or are a nightmare to rip off. This FrogTape is the winner in my book.
Tape
Expect some paint to drip. It will happen. From experience, I hate the plastic options because they're slippery and will move if there's any air flowing. This canvas cloth stays in place just fine.
Canvas drop cloth
If the room is tall or you're on the shorter side, a lightweight ladder like this is a must. It speaks for itself.
Step ladder
I like to use aluminum foil as a liner in the paint trays. This makes clean up much faster and this method is cheaper than buying the fitted liners.
Aluminum foil
Super useful if you need to pause the paint job until tomorrow. Zip up your brushes and rollers to keep the paint from drying out.
Ziploc bags