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Tackling a painting project can seem a bit daunting when you’ve never done it before. But knowledge is power and these 10 DIY tips will have you painting like a pro in no time — with beautiful results.
Paint
10 Tricks to Paint a Room Like a Professional
June 3, 2019
Tackling a painting project can seem a bit daunting when you’ve never done it before. But knowledge is power and these 10 DIY tips will have you painting like a pro in no time — with beautiful results.
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Prep Work
1/10Prep Work
1/10Photo Credit: Getty Images
The most time-consuming part of painting a room happens before you even open the paint can. Lightly sand or scrape any flaking, peeling parts and fill cracks and nail holes with spackling or latex caulking. Once dry, wash down walls to remove any dust or cobwebs. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/paint/photos/interior-paint-trends-2019-1926312/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">10 Interior Paint Colours You’ll Be Using to Update Your Home in 2019</a>Paint10 Tricks to Paint a Room Like a ProfessionalPrep Work
PHOTO 1 of 10READ LESS -The most time-consuming part of painting a room happens before you even open the paint can. Lightly sand or scrape any flaking, peeling parts and fill cracks and nail holes with spackling or latex caulking. Once dry, wash down walls to remove any dust or cobwebs. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/paint/photos/interior-paint-trends-2019-1926312/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">10 Interior Paint Colours You’ll Be Using to Update Your Home in 2019</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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No Rain
2/10No Rain
2/10Photo Credit: Getty Images
Humidity can affect the way paint dries (longer and drippier), even in an interior room. So, if possible, wait for a dry, sunny day before painting; if not, take your time, making sure to smooth out drips as they appear.Paint10 Tricks to Paint a Room Like a ProfessionalNo Rain
PHOTO 2 of 10READ LESS -Humidity can affect the way paint dries (longer and drippier), even in an interior room. So, if possible, wait for a dry, sunny day before painting; if not, take your time, making sure to smooth out drips as they appear.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Quality Street
3/10Quality Street
3/10Photo Credit: Behr
To make sure all this time and money isn’t wasted, buying quality paint is one of the most important pieces of the room-painting puzzle. With a high-performance paint such as <a href="https://www.homedepot.ca/product/behr-premium-plus-ultra-interior-eggshell-enamel-paint-primer-in-one-ultra-pure-white-946-ml/1000658202" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR ULTRA™ Interior Eggshell Enamel</a>, you can prime, paint and protect all at once.Paint10 Tricks to Paint a Room Like a ProfessionalQuality Street
PHOTO 3 of 10READ LESS -To make sure all this time and money isn’t wasted, buying quality paint is one of the most important pieces of the room-painting puzzle. With a high-performance paint such as <a href="https://www.homedepot.ca/product/behr-premium-plus-ultra-interior-eggshell-enamel-paint-primer-in-one-ultra-pure-white-946-ml/1000658202" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR ULTRA™ Interior Eggshell Enamel</a>, you can prime, paint and protect all at once.Photo Credit: Behr
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Tool Belt
4/10Tool Belt
4/10Photo Credit: Getty Images
Great paint deserves great tools, so don’t skimp when it comes to picking up all the painting accoutrements. High-quality brushes and rollers guarantee even coverage and proper painter’s tape cuts down on drips.Paint10 Tricks to Paint a Room Like a ProfessionalTool Belt
PHOTO 4 of 10READ LESS -Great paint deserves great tools, so don’t skimp when it comes to picking up all the painting accoutrements. High-quality brushes and rollers guarantee even coverage and proper painter’s tape cuts down on drips.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Take it All Off
5/10Take it All Off
5/10Photo Credit: Getty Images
We know you’re excited to get that paint colour on the walls and see your space transform, but don’t skip this step. Taking the five minutes now to unscrew outlet covers and light switches will save you time later.Paint10 Tricks to Paint a Room Like a ProfessionalTake it All Off
PHOTO 5 of 10READ LESS -We know you’re excited to get that paint colour on the walls and see your space transform, but don’t skip this step. Taking the five minutes now to unscrew outlet covers and light switches will save you time later.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Cover Ups
6/10Cover Ups
6/10Photo Credit: Getty Images
Properly protecting furniture, floors and hardware with drop cloths or plastic sheets is time you won’t regret spending. Tip: Small sandwich bags make great door handle protectors.Paint10 Tricks to Paint a Room Like a ProfessionalCover Ups
PHOTO 6 of 10READ LESS -Properly protecting furniture, floors and hardware with drop cloths or plastic sheets is time you won’t regret spending. Tip: Small sandwich bags make great door handle protectors.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Buy it Once
7/10Buy it Once
7/10Photo Credit: Getty Images
Know the square footage of your room — ask a paint salesperson for a realistic estimate of how much paint you’ll need or check out this <a href="https://www.behr.com/consumer_ca/paint-and-stain-calculator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">paint and stain calculator</a>. Instead of using one-gallon cans, get them to combine it into one large container for consistent colour.Paint10 Tricks to Paint a Room Like a ProfessionalBuy it Once
PHOTO 7 of 10READ LESS -Know the square footage of your room — ask a paint salesperson for a realistic estimate of how much paint you’ll need or check out this <a href="https://www.behr.com/consumer_ca/paint-and-stain-calculator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">paint and stain calculator</a>. Instead of using one-gallon cans, get them to combine it into one large container for consistent colour.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Trickle Down Effect
8/10Trickle Down Effect
8/10Photo Credit: Behr
Once you’ve cut in the edge of the baseboards and ceiling with a brush, use a roller to work the paint from the top to the bottom. In a one-metre-by-one-metre area, roll a large “W” — <a href="https://www.behr.com/consumer_ca/how-to/interior" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fill in the “W”</a> as you work your way down the wall, making sure to cover up any mistakes or drips as you go.Paint10 Tricks to Paint a Room Like a ProfessionalTrickle Down Effect
PHOTO 8 of 10READ LESS -Once you’ve cut in the edge of the baseboards and ceiling with a brush, use a roller to work the paint from the top to the bottom. In a one-metre-by-one-metre area, roll a large “W” — <a href="https://www.behr.com/consumer_ca/how-to/interior" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fill in the “W”</a> as you work your way down the wall, making sure to cover up any mistakes or drips as you go.Photo Credit: Behr
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Roll With It
9/10Roll With It
9/10Photo Credit: Getty Images
Premium paint is formulated to go on easily and having a high-quality long-handled roller will enhance that easy-glide effect. The extra length means you’ll cover the maximum area with the least effort.Paint10 Tricks to Paint a Room Like a ProfessionalRoll With It
PHOTO 9 of 10READ LESS -Premium paint is formulated to go on easily and having a high-quality long-handled roller will enhance that easy-glide effect. The extra length means you’ll cover the maximum area with the least effort.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Know What You Need
10/10Know What You Need
10/10Photo Credit: Behr
Think about what you use the room for — in a high-traffic area you should use a washable satin or semi-gloss such as <a href="https://www.homedepot.ca/product/behr-marquee-marquee-3-7-l-ultra-pure-white-semi-gloss-enamel-interior-paint-with-primer/1000787191" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR MARQUEE<sup>®</sup> Interior Paint & Primer</a>, which will stand up to wear and tear thanks to its exceptional stain resistance and durability.<br><br><em>For more colour ideas, go to <a href="https://www.behr.com/consumer_ca/colorstudio" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Behr’s Colour Studio</a>. </em>Paint10 Tricks to Paint a Room Like a ProfessionalKnow What You Need
PHOTO 10 of 10READ LESS -Think about what you use the room for — in a high-traffic area you should use a washable satin or semi-gloss such as <a href="https://www.homedepot.ca/product/behr-marquee-marquee-3-7-l-ultra-pure-white-semi-gloss-enamel-interior-paint-with-primer/1000787191" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR MARQUEE<sup>®</sup> Interior Paint & Primer</a>, which will stand up to wear and tear thanks to its exceptional stain resistance and durability.<br><br><em>For more colour ideas, go to <a href="https://www.behr.com/consumer_ca/colorstudio" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Behr’s Colour Studio</a>. </em>Photo Credit: Behr
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