How To Paint a Room Fast

Are you looking for the easiest way to paint a room on your own? Maybe you just moved into a new house and need to freshen it up? Or maybe you just want a change of scenery in your home. Whatever your reason, painting is the lowest cost home renovation you can do. And yes, you can paint a room in one day, even if you are a beginner. Here are a few of my best tips on how to paint a room fast to get professional results.

Gather Supplies and Tools

It’s helpful to have everything out and ready so that you don’t have to take time running back and forth as you paint. Here is what’s needed to paint a room:

Paint Roller
Paint Trays
Roller Covers (3/8″ nap for smooth walls, or a 1/2 ” nap for walls with texture)
Angled Paint Brush (this by far is my fave, see why here)
Drop cloths or plastic sheeting
Ladders, or scaffolding if necessary
Drywall mud or Spackle, along with a putty knife and sandpaper (120-150 grit)
Hammer and nails
Cordless drill with screwdriver attachment for hanging pictures/shelves on the walls when finished
Level
Pencil
Primer and Paint. For help with choosing the right paint finish for your room, check out How To Pick the Perfect Paint Finish For Your Room
Painter’s Tape
Paint can opener
Stir sticks

If you’re painting a large room and plan on using many colors, prepare your supplies accordingly. If you’re painting a small room in one color, you most likely won’t need more than one gallon of paint. However, large rooms may need two gallons or more.

Clear the Room

Remove everything from the room, especially everything on the walls. Take down all pictures, shelving, and mirrors. If you cannot move the furniture out of the room, place it all in the center and cover with plastic sheeting. Place drop cloths on the floor to protect those surfaces.

Prepare The Room For Painting

Apply painter’s tape to anything you want to protect. Like baseboards, trim, door knobs, and where the ceiling meets the wall. If you’re a more experienced painter you can “cut in” with the paint along the trim areas instead of taping. Remove all outlet and switch covers.

Fill in all the nail holes, blemishes, dents, and cracks in the walls with drywall mud or spackle. Use a putty knife to apply the product. Allow it to dry then sand with sandpaper to get a smooth surface. For a full step-by-step on how do that, check out How To Fill Nail Holes In Wall.

Take a wet sponge and wipe down the walls. The paint will adhere better once you remove all the dust and debris.

Prime Your Walls

There are several paint options that come with a primer built in. These are great to use. Keep in mind you may still need two coats. Especially if painting over a darker colored wall. The price point on the paint-and-primer-in-one formulas are higher. If you want to save a few bucks, apply a wall primer first, then use a regular paint without the primer built in. Either way you choose will get the job done.

Paint Your Walls

Do one wall at a time. On the first wall, start by cutting in with your paint brush. Along the ceiling, and each side of that wall, as well as along the baseboard. Then use a roller to fill in the rest of the wall. Move on to the second wall using the same technique. After you have the room complete, allow the paint to dry and then begin again for a second coat.

As soon as you finish your second coat, remove any painter’s tape. It’s best to remove it while it’s still a bit wet. Clean your paint supplies with mild soap and hot water.

For money saving tips on getting paint for up to 85% off, check out How To Save Big with Budget Paint.

6 Tips To Paint With an Edger - The Daily DIY

Use a paint edger to quickly paint against the ceiling, trim, baseboards, and any cabinets attached to the walls. 6 Tips For Painting With an Edger can show you how to properly use one.

And there you have it. While it’s true that painting a room can be the fastest way to transform a space, you don’t have to spend a lot. You can achieve great results with a brush and roller.

Using these tips for how to paint a room fast shows that it’s possible to do in just a few short hours by yourself. Gather up your supplies and work quickly to prep your area and walls. Of course, if you can work with a partner or friend, then you can definitely get it done in record time. Happy Painting!