How to Paint an Interior Room

Are you preparing to paint the interior of your home? There is often more that goes into painting an interior room than you would expect. From selecting your final paint colors to using the correct painting tools, it can be quite the undertaking. Here at CertaPro Painters®, we value providing homeowners with the information they need to take on any residential painting project. Continue reading below to learn how to paint an interior room.

The Interior Painting Process

There are many different steps that go into completing an interior painting project. Below is where we suggest beginning.

• Find inspiration for your project. It is important to plan out how you want your room to look after painting. First you will need to determine your style and find a paint color or colors.
• Select your tools. There are many different tools you may need for your individual project like paint brushes and rollers, painter’s tape, drop cloths, and more.
• Prepare your interior room for painting. This can include moving furniture and cleaning your walls prior to painting. As well as covering any areas that you don’t want to get paint spilled on. You will also need to remove outlet covers and light switches.

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Tools Needed for an Interior Painting Project

To achieve a seamless interior painting project, it is important to have all of your painting tools ready to go before starting. Here are a few that you may need for your project.

• Paint Brushes & Rollers
• Painter’s Tape
• Tarps & Drop Cloths
• Paint Trays or Buckets
• Putty Knife
• An extension tool for hard to reach areas
• A Ladder

The Best Methods for Interior Painting

First, you will want to make sure that you have mixed your paint, covered any areas to protect from paint spills, and added painter’s tape to any trim in the room. After, you can start with high places like ceilings and then move onto walls and any trim. If you are painting over a dark color, it will often take two coats of paint along with your primer. You will need to most likely use a paint brush for painting trim and small corners. A roller can be used on ceilings and the bulk of your walls. It is also good to keep in mind that you can’t paint trim until the paint on your walls has dried.

How to Properly Ventilate the Room

When you paint a room the fumes can be pretty strong. This is why it is imperative that you properly vent your space. Even when you use low VOC paint, the smell can linger without ventilation. We recommend opening windows and using fans to air out any interior rooms that you are painting. Also make sure to put any pets up during painting to ensure their safety.

The Best Paint Products

We often recommend paint products from reputable brands like Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore. Each of these brands have high-quality paint and primers. You can even view each of their paint color offerings online to assist with paint color selection. The best types of paint for an interior space are often flat, eggshell, or satin paints.

How to Find Your Perfect Paint Color

Once you have determined the brand and types of paint you would like to use, it’s time to choose your final paint colors. There are multiple ways to determine what paint colors would look best in your interior room. From applying paint samples to your wall to working with a designer.

One of the DIY ways to see how a paint color will look in your space is to apply different shades to a board. You will want to move the board around the room at different times of the day. This will allow you to see the various tones a paint color has in different lighting and at all times of the day. This simple color test can help you make sure you are certain about your final paint colors before you begin your interior painting project.

Determining How Much Paint is Needed for Your Project

While there is a general rule among painters that one gallon of paint will be able to cover 400 square feet, there are more modern ways to calculate how much paint your project will need. Online you can find multiple free paint calculators that can help you determine just how much paint you will need to cover your space. For example, this paint calculator from Benjamin Moore can help you get more exact results.