Tip #1: Spend Money On The Proper Tools

You could be the best painter in the world but without the proper tools, the job just won’t turn out. 

It’s vital for success to have the proper tools, without them you can have messes, a lot of mistakes, and paint where you might not want it.

One example is quality painters tape. A lot of the cheaper brands the paint will seep right through, causing a mess or even damage. You will also want to get the appropriate brushes, without them the job will take forever to finish and just not come out the way you might like it to.

The right tools will allow for speed and quality, so be sure to go with a better brand for the best results and to prevent any messes!

Tip #2: Clean Workspace

Keeping the workspace clean and organized will help out tremendously.

Not only does it make it easier to find the right tools, but it also will prevent any massive mistakes. 

One of the best ways to keep the workspace clean is by using a drop cloth, this will keep the floors spill-free. 

Be sure to cover anything that you don’t want the paint to get on, this could be a window, furniture, floor, or trim. This is especially important for painting the ceiling as little blobs of paint could drip from the ceiling

Just by covering important objects up and having your tools organized, you'll quickly eliminate stress and improve your speed!

Since you’ll be doing this yourself, make sure to fully clean the area after finishing the paint job. 

You may be tempted to put it off until tomorrow, but what could happen is a blotch of paint on the carpet or furniture you didn’t see now has time to dry and leave an unsightly stain.

Tip #3: Prime, Prime, Prime

Priming might be the most underrated tip on the list. 

It will make the biggest difference for the final look. By skipping this step you can get the wrong shade. 

It all depends what color the wall currently is, if it’s a darker color like navy blue then you’ll definitely need to prime. But colors like white or light gray don't require as much priming. 

Why?

Think of it like painting on a white paper versus a navy blue paper. With the white paper you’ll get the exact color you selected at the store, with the navy blue paper it’ll be a lot darker and probably won't look anything like what you bought.

Another huge advantage of using a primer is that the paint will adhere a lot better to primer compared to an existing paint job.

Tip #4: Picking The Right Paint

Choosing the best paint can be overwhelming, every hardware store seems to have 100 different shades of blue – How can anyone decide which color will look best?

The first place to start is choosing either a warm or cool color – A neutral or saturated color. 

This decision will typically be made based on your furniture. Once you've narrowed down what you're looking for make sure to test it a bit to see how it will look inside of your home.

Remember... The paint will look different in each room depending on shadows and different lighting.

Another huge thing to keep in mind is that colors will affect your mood, lighter colors typically reduce stress and colors like red or orange will bring out creativity and energy.

You’ll also have to choose between acrylic vs. latex paint. Oil-based paints have been faded out over the last 15 years, so these are really the only two options.

The above article goes in-depth on the differences and benefits of the two types of paint. 

Tip #5: How To Properly Apply Paint

Everything is ready to go, paint is poured and brushes are ready!

Now what?

How do you properly paint?

Believe it or not, there's actually a proper way to apply paint. It’s not as easy as just brushing it on the wall.

First of all, it’s best to start from the top and work your way down, so – start with the ceiling than the top of the wall and down. 

If you’re covering up a darker wall be ready to use more coats of primer to ensure nothing shows through.

After you’ve applied primer, the total coats of paint depending on where you’re painting, the quality of paint you’re using, and the colors you’re painting.

Related Resource: How Many Coats Of Paint Should I Use?

It’s best to do it one wall at a time, so paint along with the trim and molding while a friend does the main area. 

To properly apply the paint you’ll want to go in a W shape everywhere you go, this will eliminate roller marks and give the best final look.

Final Thoughts

It doesn’t take an expert to paint a wall but with these few tips you’re sure to get the project done in a timely manner but more you’ll have a quality paint job!

Be sure to keep the area protected from any messes with a drop cloth. It’s also important to get the best tools for the job or it can go from an hour project to a week-long project!

Remember, you will spend the majority of your life within the walls of your home. So why not create a living space that gives off “good vibes” from wall to wall?

Make sure to have fun with the project because, in the end, all the hard work will be worth it!