A step-by-step guide to painting any room of your house like a pro

Nothing freshen's up a space in your home more than a coat of paint! Spring is the best time to do this and home and design expert Ramsin Khachi is here to share everything you need to know when it comes to painting!

Protect your workspace

Spills and splatters are bound to happen so use canvas drop cloths in your work area.The thick canvas stays in place, so you don’t need to tape it, and you can use it to cover any surface.  Plastic drop cloths are slippery and dangerous. Rosin paper is a good alternative for tile and hardwood flooring as canvas can be slippery on those surfaces. Tape the sheets together and to the floor to provide a nonslip surface.

When taping to the floor, use blue painters’ tape on the floor first, then tape the paper to the floor using a strong tape such as tuck tape. Never stick a strong adhesive tape directly to flooring.

Clean surfaces

Before any paint can be applied, it is essential to prep the walls and the area so paint can form a strong bond. Start by dusting the walls and trim, including baseboards. Clean grimy areas with a heavy-duty cleaner intended for pre-paint cleaning. Pay special attention to greasy or oily areas like kitchen cabinets, light switches and doorknobs. Glossy surfaces must be sanded to prepare the surface for painting. If sanding is not an option, then use a super adhesion primer.

Fill and sand holes and divots 

Fill any existing holes in drywall with putty or plaster and sand flat to match the texture of your wall and trim. Use indoor wood filler to repair holes in trim surface. But be sure to use the filler sparingly and make multiple applications to minimise sanding. You can use a piece of wood, some spray adhesive and sandpaper to make an effective sanding block. Use latex caulking to fill gaps between trim and drywall.

Prep your paint

When painting areas that require more than one gallon of paint, mix several cans of paint in a large bucket for a consistent color throughout the area. Use a mixer to ensure proper mixing of pigments. If you're using an old paint that has been previously opened, run the paint through a cone filter to remove any debris or dried paint that may affect your finish. 

Painting tips

Follow an order when painting a room.  Paint the ceilings first, then the trim, then the walls. It’s easier and faster to tape off trim than to tape walls. Remove the tape right away to prevent peeling back on edges. If the paint has started to dry or if you need to apply a second coat, then let the paint on the walls dry well (24 hours) and then cut the tape edge with a fine blade carefully and then pull away for a perfect edge.