DIY Repaint Tips

Some interior repaint tips for those who'd rather do it themselves!

Have you been thinking about repainting your home but don’t want to/can’t hire a professional painter and would rather do it yourself? This one is for you!

Whether you're refreshing a single room or giving your entire home a makeover, today I’ll be covering some essential tips to help you achieve a flawless finish that you'll be proud to show off. Let’s talk about it!

But before we get into it, I’m curious how many of you would do a DIY repaint versus hire a professional painter.

Planning Your Project

First off, you’re going to want to know what color(s) you’re working with. When picking colors, remember to consider the room’s function and natural light. Testing samples on walls can help you see how they appear in different lighting conditions.

Secondly, it’s necessary to calculate the paint quantity. One gallon typically covers about 350-400 square feet, so measure your walls to determine how much paint you’ll need beforehand.

Prep the Space

When prepping the space, move furniture out of the room if possible. If not, cover your furniture with plastic sheets and use drop cloths to protect your floor.

Next, you should take down any pictures, mirrors, and wall decor. Also remove switch plates, outlet covers and any other wall hangings.

Finally, prep the wall itself. A mild detergent can help you clean the walls of any dirt or dust, and then rinse with clean water. Let them dry completely before repairing and priming (our next step).

Repair and Prime

If you have wall hangings, you likely have small holes. It’s best to fill small holes in with spackle or a wall patch kit. Then sand smooth after it dries.

Next, get some painter’s tape so that you can properly protect trim, windows, and door frames.

Also get some primer. It helps paint adhere better and gives a more even finish, especially if you’re changing from a dark to a light color or painting over stains.

Choose the Right Tools

It’s worth investing in good quality brushes for cutting in and rollers for larger areas. Based on wall texture, choose nap length for rollers.

Getting some paint trays and liners is also an absolute must, as they help with easy cleanup and efficient paint application.

If you have high ceilings or walls to avoid straining yourself on a ladder, consider buying extension poles.

Painting Techniques

Cutting In: Start by painting edges and corners with a brush. Do this one wall at a time to avoid noticeable overlap marks. You can also cut in around outlets.

Rolling: Use a “W” or “M” pattern to apply paint with a roller. This ensures even coverage. Try not to overload the roller as to prevent drips.

Work in Sections: Completing one wall at a time helps maintain a wet edge, thus reducing lap marks and any color inconsistencies.

Stay Organized and Safe

When painting higher areas, it’s helpful to use a step ladder if you don’t have extension poles or they aren’t long enough. Make sure that it’s sturdy and placed on even ground.

Also, ventilation is important—open windows and use fans to keep the area ventilated. You don’t want breathe in those paint fumes.

Next, try to keep your brushes and tools clean as you work. This helps achieve a smoother finish and prevents paint buildup on tools. Paint buildup is a hassle to deal with, especially once dry.

Finishing Touches

For the finishing touches, remove your painter’s tape carefully and while the paint is still slightly wet to avoid peeling.

It’s also a good idea to keep a small amount of paint for any touch-ups you may need to do later. Using a fine brush is best for any spots you missed.

Then, once the paint is dry, reinstall your hardware—any outlet covers or switch plates you removed prior to the paint job.

Cleanup and Maintenance

Almost there! Cleanup and maintenance is crucial, so don’t forget these final steps.

First, clean your brushes and rollers. It’s best to use warm soapy water for water-based paints.

It’s also important to dispose of your paint properly. Please don’t pour it down the drain or do something crazy with it (not that I think you would). Checking local regulations for disposing of unused paint can be helpful.

Finally, maintain your paint job by regularly dusting and cleaning your painted surface to keep that fresh look.

And that’s that!

From choosing the right colors to prepping your walls, your painting technique, and cleanup, every detail here counts.

Hopefully this comprehensive guide didn’t discourage you from wanting to paint a space yourself, but I can also understand why if it did…at least you know now that you’d rather hire a professional.

For those who still want to do a DIY repaint, big props to you and I hope these tips come in handy. You can do it!