How to Paint a Room: Preparation

Are you planning of doing a makeover for your bedroom but do not know where to start? Is rearranging the furniture not enough for you? Are you tired of the same old colors you see everyday? You might as well do a major overhaul and repaint your room!

If you don't know how to paint, but you don't want to hire professional help, then here are a few tips for you. Doing it on your own may actually prove to be a fun experience, and not to mention rewarding. To start, prepare the room by removing unnecessary stuff that will get in the way of your work. If you can place most of the furniture outside, do it. If this is not possible, place all furniture in one corner and cover them with plastic or drop cloths. Also cover the light fixtures and other items that you can't remove but will not paint on with plastic bags or any protective material. Protect the floors as well. Remove the cover plates from the electrical outlets and make sure that your room is well ventilated.

Before starting to paint the prime coating, look for flaws in all surfaces that will be painted on. There may be wall stains or areas that are chipped or peeled, and you should fix them before applying any paint. If there are surfaces that have glossy finish, wash it off first with a trisodium phosphate solution. You can buy this solution from hardware stores. If the surface is wood, however, you can use a sandpaper to degloss the area.

When you are done with these preparatory steps, do not start with worrying how to paint and where to start yet. You still have to do cleaning or washing of the surfaces to remove dirt like soot, grease, or stains. You can use detergent and a sponge for this task. Warm water may also help. Rinse off the detergent from the surfaces and dry them off while making sure that soap and dirt residues are thoroughly removed. When this is done, then you're ready to paint.

Most expert suggestions on how to paint a room recommend starting with the ceiling before painting the walls. Then, paint the door(s) and the windows. Use three coats of paint. The first coat is the primer and then finish with two more coats. Do not forget to put a primer especially on raw surfaces or those areas that were previously unpainted. Always keep a rag to deal with spills and drips.