Preparation is the key to a good paint job, regardless of what you are painting. Remove door hardware, socket covers, and light switch plates and drape a drop cloth over the floor. You should also remove any furniture in the room, or if you are only working on a section of the room, move the furniture to the other side and cover to prevent paint splatter from hitting it. Mask off any areas you don't want to paint, such as the trim, window moldings, and door frames, with painter's tape.

The next step in preparation is to fill in any gaps or holes in the wall. Use caulk to cover gaps where molding meets the wall and use joint compound to repair any holes in the drywall. After that, you should and the wall to rid it of any imperfections, making sure to be aware of any lead based paint in any of the underlying layers of paint. If there is lead paint present then make sure to wear a mask and take care to keep children clear of the area to prevent neurological damage. Once you have sanded the wall it should be primed, especially if patches in the wall were needed. It is also advisable to use primer when making drastic changes in color. It is possible to tint primer ro reduce the number of coats of paint needed.

Once the wall is sanded and primed painting may begin. It is best to start with an angled brush and cut in the edges and corners first, making a two to three inch band around the ceiling, corners, and moldings. Do this by dipping the brush into the paint, allowing the paint to cover no more than a third of the brush, and run a line of paint about an inch away from the wall. Then turn the brush so that the angled side forms a point and use that to make clean lines around the edges. To paint a roller, first dampen it and then use a rolling pan to gather paint, using the raised end of the rolling pan to remove excess paint. Apply the paint in an m or w motion to distribute the paint and then roll the roller vertically to distribute between those lines.

Once you have completed painting the room, wait 24 hours before removing the painter's tape. Then replace your hardware and covers and furniture, as needed. Painting is a great way to achieve a new look in a room without spending a lot of money. If you are at all hesitant about painting try signing up for decorating courses in your local area, and have fun painting!