How To Paint Interior Walls

Tools for the Job:

Are you in the process of redecorating a room in your home? Follow our step-by-step guide on how to paint interior walls to ensure you get that perfect finish and lasting results.

Steps To Paint Interior Walls

Step 1

Clear the room of furniture. Cover anything you can't remove with dust sheets. Also, put down dust sheets on the floor or any other surface that paint could splash on.

Step 2

Use decorator's tape to mask off the edges of light fittings, sockets, and skirting boards to protect them from getting splashed with paint.

Step 3

Wash the walls with sugar soap and rinse with water and a sponge. This will help give a smoother finish.

Step 4

Fill in any cracks or holes in the wall with a suitable filler, and sand down until smooth. Use a stain block on any stains that are on the wall. If your walls are marked with a crayon or felt-tipped pen, you'll need to use a stain block, as these will keep seeping through the paint, even after 4-5 coats.

Step 5

Using a brush start painting by cutting in the edges.
This means painting where the walls meet the ceiling, skirting boards, corners, and around any wall fittings. Always start at the top and work your way down.

Step 6

When you've cut in, use a roller to paint the main surface of the wall.

Step 7

Start in a corner of the room and roll from the bottom up with smooth steady strokes ensuring your roller is covered with paint. Paint one wall at a time.

Step 8

Leave the paint to dry and apply a second coat if necessary.

Step 9

When the paint is completely dry, remove strips of decorator's tape. Take off the strips slowly to avoid chipping the paint.

Top Tip

If it's a newly plastered wall, apply some matt white emulsion first, as this will soak into the wall before you apply your coloured paint.

The methods shown serve as a guide only. Woodie's DIY accepts no responsibility for accidents or incidents arising from individuals undertaking any of the tasks described.

Ready to start painting your interior walls? We have all the painting supplies for you to get started!