Paint has the power to transform a room and takes just a weekend. If the perfect color is alluding you, customize your paint color to match your upholstery fabrics or drapes or get small samples to try on the wall before committing to a gallon. You can roll on a professional quality paint job by following some simple steps.

Paint comes in 5 sheens, examples of which can be seen where paint is available. Move as much furniture and decorating items out of the room as you can to make the job easier. Cover the floors with plastic drop cloths. Take down drapes and hardware. Fill any holes with drywall filler and sand smooth. Caulk gaps in moldings and around window frames. Using a high quality primer, pre-paint the walls to even out any rough spots-this is a must for new drywall.

Have all your tools on hand– rollers, roller pan and covers, a trim brush, paint stirrer sticks, edging or cutting-in tools. Stir the paint thoroughly. If you’re using more than one gallon of paint, mix cans in a large bucket to eliminate possible color differences. Fill your paint tray reservoir and another smaller container for cutting in.

Start at the top of the room where the wall meets the ceiling and  “cut-in” as neatly as you can, careful not to get any paint on the ceiling. If this is a problem for you, get some painter tape and tape off the area you do not want to paint. Load your brush by dipping the bristle tips into the paint, brushing off excess into the paint container. Go as wide as you can reach on the ladder.  Then roll paint over the cut-in line so the texture is blended.  Continue down the wall, then start at the top of the next section until you have gone around the room. You will have to “cut-in” around doors, windows, baseboard and in corners.

If interrupted, cover your brush and paint tray with plastic wrap. When you get around the room, do a visual inspection of your work. Sometimes the coverage is light and a touch up here and there may be needed.   Move your furniture in and enjoy!