5 Quick Painting Tips Everyone Should Know

There are two types: oil-based paint (known for its sheen) and water-based paint. Nowadays, there’s no need to use oil-based when painting a room. Modern water-based options, which dry faster and have less odor, offer plenty of gloss and wipeability. As for paint finishes, you can’t fail with a matte or eggshell finish on walls and a satin finish on trim. When purchasing paint, be sure to stick with brand names. Bargain paints can yield disappointing results.

The general rule is one gallon for every 350 square feet of surface area. One gallon is generally enough paint to cover a small room, like a bathroom. Whatever number you calculate, buy an extra quart for touch-ups. A new batch of paint mixed later might not match.

No need for primer unless (1) you’re painting a light color over a dark one, (2) the walls are badly stained, or (3) the walls are marked up with spackle from patching. In these situations, a primer will help create a consistent, neutral surface that your paint will adhere to evenly. Instead of using a separate product, though, look for a paint and primer in one to save a step. 

When painting a room, follow this order of steps to avoid having to redo any of your hard work: 

1. Clean baseboards and dusty ceiling corners.
2. Apply painter’s tape.
3. Put down drop cloths.
4. “Cut in” the corners.
5. Paint the room top to bottom: ceiling, then walls, then trim.

Follow essentially the same technique used for walls: Roll away from where you’re standing, then zigzag back toward yourself, working in small, overlapping sections. But don’t try to paint directly above your head—it’s too difficult to see what you’re doing.