Giving a room a fresh coat of paint is one of the most rewarding home improvement projects you can take on. It’s very transformative, relatively affordable, and better yet, completely doable in a single day. Whether you’re refreshing a guest bedroom, brightening up a living space, or finally tackling that home office that’s been on your to-do list, the key to finishing in one day has to do entirely with preparation and process. Here are some tips to keep in mind that’ll help keep things right on track.
Gather Your Supplies Before You Start
Nothing slows down a painting project faster than a midday hardware store run. Before you pick up your brush, make sure you have everything you need on hand:
- Painter’s tape
- Angled brush
- Roller frame and roller cover
- Paint tray and liner
- Drop cloths (canvas or plastic)
- Spackle and a putty knife (for filling any holes)
- Flat-head screwdriver (to remove outlet covers)
- Lint-free rags or paper towels
- Your paint (a high-quality brand like Sherwin-Williams offers the best coverage and longevity)
Prep the Room the Night Before
If you want to finish painting by the end of the day, do all of your prep work the afternoon or evening before. Move furniture away from the walls and cover anything that can’t be moved with drop cloths. Remove wall art, hooks, and outlet covers. Also, remember to lightly wipe down your baseboards and trim with a damp cloth, since this helps your painter’s tape stick better and prevents paint from bleeding underneath it.
From there, apply your painter’s tape carefully along all trim, molding, baseboards, and window frames. If you have any nail holes or small dings in the wall, fill them with spackle, let them dry overnight, and lightly sand them flush in the morning before you begin.
Be Efficient When Painting
Most high-quality paints today include a primer built in, so a separate priming step isn’t always required. However, if you’re painting a lighter color over a significantly darker one, applying a primer first is absolutely worth it.
Once you’re ready to paint, start by cutting in using your angled brush to carefully paint the edges along the ceiling line, trim, baseboards, and corners. Once dry, it’s time to begin rolling. Roll in a slightly overlapping “W” or “M” pattern, and don’t worry about being perfectly systematic; what matters is keeping a wet edge so you avoid lap marks.
Once your first coat is complete, give it about an hour to dry, then apply a second coat. Two coats are usually enough with a quality paint, but keep a little leftover for any touch-ups once everything is dry.
Clean Up & Finish Strong
Once your second coat is dry, it’s time to wrap up. Carefully remove the painter’s tape by pulling it back at a 45-degree angle. Rinse your brushes and roller covers thoroughly and pour any leftover paint back into the can before sealing it tightly for future touch-ups. Replace your outlet covers, reposition your furniture, and step back to appreciate what you’ve accomplished.
With good preparation and a solid process, painting a room in a day is well within reach for most homeowners. But if you want the job done even faster and with zero stress, don’t hesitate to speak with a team of professionals!
About Platinum Painting
At Platinum Painting of Arlington, our team takes pride in delivering exceptional interior painting services to homeowners throughout Arlington and the surrounding DFW metroplex. Contact us today to schedule your FREE in-home estimate or give us a call at (817) 983-7280 for more information or assistance.