8 Ways to Make Interior Painting Easier

One of the easiest ways to freshen up a room and give it an instant new look is by painting it. Unfortunately, many homeowners absolutely dread interior painting. Painting the inside of your home isn't as bad as it seems, especially if you know what to do and how to paint in the most efficient manner. Follow these basic interior painting tips, and you'll find that your next painting project will be much easier and much more fun.

1. Avoid trying to prep the area and get it painted all in one day.

Trying to cram everything in will only leave you feeling rushed, which in the end can lead to a bad paint job. It's a better idea to set aside a separate day when you can do all the prep work for painting. If you don't use the room much, this can even be done a few days ahead. Prep work should include such things as taping the walls, moving furniture out of the way, laying down drop cloths, and gathering together any painting supplies you might need.

2. Don't try to paint over damaged walls.

The first step in any painting project is to look over the walls and fix any cracks or holes. It's not very difficult to fix any cracks and holes; all you need is a drywall kit and some sandpaper. Be sure to do this at least a day before you paint. That way the drywall plaster will have some time to dry and you'll have time to sand down the area as well.

3. Choose the best brushes for the paint job.
Natural bristled brushes always work best for oil-based paints. On the other hand, for water-based or latex paint, synthetic bristled brushes are best, as they will give you an even coat. For large areas, you want to use foam rollers on the walls. You'll also need smaller brushed to paint around the windows and trim.

4. Always use a primer to achieve a more professional look.

A primer will make the paint go on a lot more smoothly. Furthermore, it also helps you avoid any possible tainting from the previous wall color. You might even consider having your primer tinted to match your base coat color. Often times, this will help you avoid having to put a second coat of base color on the walls.

5. Be sure to use painter's blue tape for any areas that you don't want to get paint on, such as doorway frames, trim, and windows

When this tape is applied to a smooth surface, it won't let the paint seep through to the areas underneath. After the paint dries, simply remove the tape. The nice thing is, you don't have to worry about any of the paint coming off with it.

6. Keep plenty of old rags around for any mistakes you might make.
When painting, it's inevitable that you will drop some paint on the trim or hit something you shouldn't with a brush.

7. Ensure an even coat by keeping your strokes even when painting.

To this end, it's important that you have plenty of natural light in the room. This way, you can see where you are painting and any areas you might have missed.

8. Don't throw away leftover paint so you have it for any future touch-ups or fixes.

If you don't have the space to store a large paint can that only has a small amount of paint, then pour the leftover paint into a glass jar with a tight lid and store it that way. The jar then needs to be labeled with the exact color of the paint, the date, and the room you used it in.

Fortunately, painting the interior of your home doesn't have to be scary or intimidating. By simply following these easy tips, you can be well on your way to changing the décor of your home.