When it comes to re-painting a room in your home, getting professional results means careful preparation.  Time spent beforehand will pay big dividends toward a fabulous final product!

The first step is to make sure you have everything on hand.  It is far easier to spend some time gathering what you’ll need for the project, than to stop with a wet brush or roller to go get something.  Organize an area in the room with your paint, brushes, rollers, caulk, masking tape, putty & knife, plastic bags, openers, sandpaper, screwdrivers, ladder or step-stool, stir sticks, drop cloths and lots of rags.

Second, you’ll want to protect your furniture, trim and fixtures that you don’t want to paint.  Clear everything you can from the room and protect larger items with a drop cloth or old sheet.  Cover your flooring.  Plastic grocery bags can be handy for covering light fixtures (with the light bulbs removed, of course).   Use a good masking tape on trim, fixtures and surfaces you don’t want to paint (never leave masking tape on surfaces longer than indicated on the packaging).  The pros seal the edge of their masking tape with a thin bead of paintable caulk.  This extra step can provide an excellent barrier, especially on textured walls.

Next, you’ll want to prepare the walls.  Remove any outlet covers, switch plates and drapery hardware.  A Ziploc bag is a great way to keep all of these small parts together so you have everything you need to re-install them when you are done.  Make sure you put the bag in a safe place so it doesn’t get tossed out after you’re done painting.   Use a putty knife and spackle to fill in any small holes.  Once the spackling has dried, gently buff with sandpaper to remove any excess.  Clean any areas that are heavily soiled with TSP or a Magic Eraser.  Make sure these areas dry completely prior to putting paint on the wall.

Finally, don’t forget to prepare yourself.  Remove jewelry and change into clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting paint on.  Slip-on shoes are easy to remove when you leave the room to avoid tracking paint throughout your home.  If you’re painting your ceiling, cover your hair with a hat or shower cap and consider wearing safety goggles over eye glasses.

Now you’re ready for paint!