From calming neutrals to trendy shades, there's power in a fresh coat of paint. With the right supplies and a handle on the basics, most people can successfully tackle a paint project. The process doesn't require any specific skills and the supplies are affordable and widely available (just visit your local hardware store).

"Painting is DIY-friendly, but you can't cut too many corners," says Dan DiClerico, director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. If you speed through or skip surface prep, you could end up with a real problem on your hands — an undercoat that shows through or even peeling paint. These types of mistakes not only take time to remedy, but can also cost a significant amount of money if you have to hire a professional to fix your errors.

Don't worry, though: We break it all down for you, covering everything from supplies, to necessary prep, to rolling evenly, and even cleaning your brushes so you can move on to the next project on your list.

1. Gather your tools and materials.

    Before you start painting, it's critical that you have everything you need. You don't want to get halfway through the process and realize you're missing an important component. Get prepared by stocking your toolkit with the following items:

    • Ladder
    • Painter's tape
    • Drop cloths
    • Paint scraper
    • Spackle
    • Sponge
    • Paint brushes (both angled and straight)
    • Paint roller
    • Paint trays
    • Stir stick
    • Paint

    Other worthy investments: An extension pole, so you can stash away the ladder after the edging step, a paint-can opener and a pour spout to lessen mess.

      2. Find the right color.

      With endless paint shades to consider, choosing the perfect one can be tricky. To guide your search, envision your dream space. Are the walls painted a warm or cool shade? Do you imagine a bold color, or would a neutral be more appropriate? To find inspiration, begin sifting through paint chips and set aside the colors you like the most.

      Of course, you can't rely solely on the little square to make a final decision. "A lot of people end up with the wrong color, because they didn't take the time to test it on the walls first," says DiClerico. Colors often look brighter once on the wall, and the light in your room can have a dramatic impact on the way the color reads. Pick a few finalists, then purchase sample cans.

      swatching blue paint
      skynesher//Getty Images

      3. Paint a sample swatch.

      Once you have sample cans in hand, paint swatches on the wall. To give you a good idea of how the color will look in your space, paint two coats of color in a 12-inch-by-12-inch square. If your room has both sunny and shady spots, it's smart to put swatches in both areas, as this can affect the final look.

      Alternatively, you can paint two coats onto a foam board (available at any craft or office supply store) and tape it to the wall. This is a great option for those who don't intend to get started right away, as you won't have to live with random color streaks on the walls.

      4. Calculate how much paint you need.

      When determining how much paint to buy, many retailers have helpful calculators you can use. Always double check packaging, but in general, a gallon is roughly good for 250 to 400 square feet. And don't forget: You'll need a little extra for touch-ups and mistakes.

      ghi how to paint a room

      6. Prep the room for painting.

      One of the biggest mistakes inexperienced DIYers make is rush through prep process. "An A+ paint job, like what you see from the pros, is 50% about proper prep work," says DiClerico.

      • First, scrap off any peeling or cracked paint with a paint scraper or putty knife to achieve a perfectly smooth surface.
      • Fill any deep holes with spackling compound and a putty knife. Allow it to dry completely (likely one to two hours, but could take longer for a thicker application), then sand it down to create a smooth finish.
      • Dry-dust the walls floor to ceiling and scrub any extra-grimy parts with a damp sponge or cloth; paint won't adhere as well to a dirty surface (think fingerprints, soot, dust, cobwebs). Let the walls dry before priming or painting.
      • Protect the floor and any furniture you can't (or don't want to) move, from paint splatters and spills. For the floor, choose fabric drop cloths instead of plastic ones, as plastic can be slick under your feet or, worse, the ladder.
      • Remove outlet and light switch plates and tape around any areas you don't want painted (such as moldings, baseboards or window frames) with painter's masking tape or Frog Tape. The Good Housekeeping Institute tried the latter on a smooth wall and found that it makes a crisp line and doesn't let paint bleed through.

      7. Prime the wall (or don't).

      More often, paint comes with a built-in primer, allowing you to skip the step altogether. The GHI recommends Valspar Reserve One-Coat Interior Paint + Primer, which has performed well in tests. "There are times where you need to use a primer — like you're painting bare sheetrock or your walls are really banged up," says DiClerico. Painting over a dark wall with a light color (or covering stains) may require a coat of primer.

      8. Mix the paint.

      Though the store generally shakes the paint for you, use a paint stirrer to ensure your paint is properly mixed; this will prevent inconsistent color and texture. If the paint has been sitting for any length of time, you may notice separation (a watery layer on top). Stir the paint, scraping the bottom and sides, continuously for 5-10 minutes for older paint.

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        9. Get rolling!

        Now you're ready for the main event. "Many paints promise full coverage in a single coat, and believe it or not, a lot of them deliver on that in our tests," says DiClerico. If you're painting over a dark color or the wall was in poor condition, you may need a second coat. Some paints dry in as fast as one hour, while others take up to four, so check the label on the can for help.

        Here's how to paint a room with a roller and a brush, according to the pros:

          • Use an angled brush or a sponge tool to "cut in," or paint a two-inch swath around the edges of woodwork and the ceiling. (Don't forget: These areas should be taped off, as explained in step five.)
          • Grab your paint tray and a roller. Use ¼-inch nap for smooth surfaces, 3/8-inch nap for semi-smooth, or 5/8-inch nap for rough — the wrong tool will apply too much or too little paint. If using a latex paint, pre-wet the roller first.
          • Fill the well of the paint tray about ¼ of the way. Then, when loading the paint, roll the roller back and forth in the well until it is uniformly covered. Finally, move the roller back and forth in the upper portion to remove any excess.
          • Fill in the central unpainted space using the roller. Paint the wall in overlapping W- or M-shaped strokes for the most even paint distribution.
          • If needed, apply a second coat once the paint is dry. Between coats, cover the tray and brush with plastic wrap touching the paint surface, and refrigerate.

          Pro tip: Have a moist rag handy to wipe fresh splatters. Scrape off dried drips with a credit card or plastic spatula.

          ghi how to paint a room

          10. Finish and clean up.

          • Rinse your paintbrush and roller (if you don't toss it) under a faucet until the water runs clear.
          • Decant the tray's leftover paint back into the can. Seal the can tightly by placing a paper towel over the lid and tapping the lid edges with a hammer. Rinse the tray.
          • Once the brush's bristles are totally dry, slip the brush back into its original paper wrapper to keep the bristles from fanning out, or try this DIY fix: Fold a thick piece of paper around the bristles; tape to secure it.
          • Remove masking tape before you call it a night, pulling it off at a 45-degree angle to avoid tearing the finish.
          Headshot of Brigitt Earley
          Brigitt Earley
          Contributing Writer

          Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

          Headshot of Alyssa Gautieri
          Alyssa Gautieri
          Associate Lifestyle Editor

          Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.