Do it yourself

Paint the interior of your home

Painting the interior of your house, or just a room, is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to revitalize, redecorate or renew the look of a home. Here are all the steps to paint your rooms like a pro.

Difficulty level: Easy

Duration: 2 days

Material

Roller tray Roller refills Sanding paper Primer Drywall compound Paint Multipurpose plastic film T.S.P. All-purpose Cleaner Paint thinner Painter’s tape

Tools

Slotted screwdriver Paintbrushes Monture pour rouleaux Rollers frame Telescopic pole Sawhorse Paint roller tray Ceiling paint edger Putty knife

Preparing the room

1.1 - Take small pieces of furniture, lamps and all decorative items out of the room, and spread a drop sheet over the floor and bigger pieces furniture.
1.2 - Cover everything you don’t want to paint.

Pro Tip

Don’t forget to cover electrical outlets, switch plates, wood handrails and light fixtures.

Preparing the surfaces

2.1 - Sink any exposed nails or screws.
2.2 - Fill holes and cracks with a patching compound.

Protecting mouldings

3.1 - Protect mouldings and casings with masking tape.

Applying a first coat of primer

4.1 - On the areas that have been repaired, apply a first coat of primer, then apply a second, thick coat of primer on all surfaces.
4.2 - Let dry before painting.

Painting the ceiling

5.1 - After cutting the corners, apply the first coat of paint with a roller, moving vertically across the ceiling.
5.2 - Apply the second coat rolling horizontally to avoid streaking.

Pro Tip

Make sure the first coat of paint is totally dry before applying the second coat.

Painting the walls

6.1 - Before painting the walls, cut the corners, mouldings and casings with an angular paintbrush.
6.2 - Then, one wall section at a time, roll the paint in a zigzag pattern, as if you’re painting large “W”s .
6.3 - Remove masking tape quickly before the paint dries completely.

Painting mouldings

7.1 - After, paint mouldings and casings with a smaller paint brush.
7.2 - To paint the doors, use a roller or a paintbrush.
7.3 - Removing the door from its frame will make the task easier.

Cleaning up

8.1 - When you’re done, clean your paintbrushes with soap and lukewarm water for latex paint, or with solvent for oil-based paint.
8.2 - If you’ll reuse the paintbrushes within the next few days, seal them in plastic wrap.
8.3 - Finally, store the paint in hermetically-sealed containers, and keep them in a room where the temperature is neither too cold nor too hot.