5 Steps to Prepare Your Home for a Paint Job

Welcome, home renovators and DIY enthusiasts! Planning to turn your living space from drab to fab with a splash of color? Fantastic decision! But before you dip that brush into your favorite hue, there’s a bit of groundwork to lay. 

1. Gather Your Supplies

Before you even think about painting, gather all the supplies you’ll need. Trust us, there’s nothing worse than being halfway through a project and realizing you’ve run out of painter’s tape.

The Basics You’ll Need

• Drop cloths or plastic sheeting
• Painter’s tape
• Sandpaper
• Spackle and putty knife
• Cleaning supplies (soap, water, sponge)
• Primer (often overlooked but essential!)
• Quality brushes and rollers

Now, you might be thinking, “I’ll just grab the cheapest brushes I can find.” Resist this urge! 

Investing in good-quality brushes and rollers can make a world of difference in the final outcome. 

Cheap brushes can shed bristles and create streaks, leaving you with an uneven finish. Spend a few extra dollars now to save yourself a headache later!

2. Clear the Room

No one wants to accidentally splatter paint on Grandma’s antique vase. Take the time to clear the room of any furniture, decor, and personal items. If moving everything out isn’t feasible, push items to the center of the “Linkhouse” room and cover them with drop cloths.

Make sure to cover anything that must stay in the room with plastic sheeting or drop cloths. This includes flooring, light fixtures, and any bulky furniture you couldn’t haul out. Secure the coverings with painter’s tape to ensure nothing slips during your painting frenzy.

Don’t forget to unplug electronic devices and remove switch plates, outlet covers, and light fixtures. It’s the little details that often get overlooked, leading to accidental paint splatters on your favorite lamp or TV.

While prepping and painting, keep windows open or use fans for proper ventilation. Trust us, you don’t want to be high on paint fumes when you’re trying to cut in those edges!

3. Clean the Surfaces

A clean wall is a happy wall, and happy walls make for better paint jobs. Dust, grime, and grease can prevent paint from adhering properly, so this step is crucial.

Use a mixture of soap and water to scrub down the walls. 

For stubborn areas, like kitchens where grease might be present, consider using a stronger cleaner. Be sure to rinse the walls with clean water afterward and allow them to dry completely.

After cleaning, lightly sand the walls with fine-grit sandpaper. This will help to smooth out any rough patches and provide a better surface for the paint to adhere to. It might seem tedious, but your future self will thank you.

4. Repair and Prime

Use spackle or a patching compound to fill in any holes or cracks. Apply it with a putty knife, smooth it out, and allow it to dry. Once dry, sand the patched areas until they are flush with the surrounding wall.

Priming might seem like an extra step, but it’s crucial for achieving a vibrant, even color. Primer helps to seal the wall, providing a uniform base for the paint. It also covers up any patched areas, ensuring they don’t stand out once painted.

5. Test and Tape

Before you commit to painting the entire room, it’s a good idea to test your chosen color on a small section of the wall. Paint can look different depending on the lighting and the room’s size.

Once you’ve settled on a color, it’s time to tape off any areas you don’t want to paint. This includes trim, windows, and ceilings. Use painter’s tape to ensure clean, sharp lines. Press down firmly on the tape to prevent paint from seeping underneath.

If all these seem too daunting for you, you can always call the pros — click here. 

Prepping your home for a paint job might seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it for the professional and long-lasting results. By gathering the right supplies, clearing the room, cleaning surfaces, repairing and priming, and testing and taping, you’ll set yourself up for success.