How To Paint A Room Like A Professional: Tips From An Expert

There is a noticeable difference between a room that has been painted by a professional and one that has been rushed over a weekend. The finish is smoother; the edges are sharper and the result lasts considerably longer. 

Here are the key things that experienced decorators do differently.

Preparation Is Everything

Ask any professional decorator what the secret to a great finish is, and the answer will almost always be preparation. The painting itself is the final stage of a process that begins long before a brush or roller touches the wall.

Clean The Surfaces

Walls that look clean to the eye can still carry grease, dust and residue that prevents paint from bonding properly. Washing surfaces down with a sugar soap solution before you begin removes contaminants and gives the new paint something solid to adhere to. 

This is particularly important in kitchens, hallways and rooms that see heavy daily use.

Fill & Sand

Any cracks, holes or imperfections in the wall or ceiling surface need to be filled and sanded back before painting begins. 

Using a good quality filler, allowing it to dry fully and then sanding to a smooth finish takes time, but it is the difference between a wall that looks flat and professional and one where every blemish shows through the paint.

Protect Everything You Are Not Painting

Professional decorators take time to properly mask skirting boards, architraves, light switches and any surfaces that are not being painted. Carefully applied masking tape and dust sheets protect the room and speed up the overall process by removing the need for time-consuming touch-ups later.

Use The Right Tools & Materials

Invest In Quality Brushes & Rollers

Cheap brushes and rollers produce poor results. A low-quality brush will shed bristles into the wet paint and leave streaks, whilst a low-quality roller will create an uneven texture on the wall. 

Professional decorators use good quality tools because they produce a better finish and last longer. For walls and ceilings, a medium-pile roller sleeve gives a smooth, even result on most plaster surfaces.

Choose The Right Paint For The Job

The type of paint matters as much as the colour. Matt emulsion is the standard choice for walls and ceilings in most rooms, whilst eggshell or satin finishes are more practical in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways where walls need to be wipeable. 

For woodwork, an eggshell or gloss finish provides durability and a professional appearance. Always use the correct primer or undercoat for the surface you are painting, particularly on bare plaster, new wood or surfaces that have been heavily filled.

Technique Makes A Difference

Cut In Before You Roll

Professional decorators always cut in first, painting the edges of the wall neatly with a brush before filling in the larger areas with a roller. This creates clean lines at the ceiling, skirting and corners and means the roller can be used without the risk of catching adjacent surfaces.

Work In Sections & Maintain A Wet Edge

When rolling paint onto a wall, work in manageable sections and always blend back into the wet paint before it starts to dry. Allowing one area to dry before joining it to the next creates visible lines and patches in the finished surface. Keeping a wet edge throughout the process produces a smooth, seamless result.

Apply Multiple Thin Coats

One thick coat of paint is never as good as two or three thinner ones. Multiple coats build up a more even, durable finish and allow you to correct any areas that need additional coverage without the risk of runs or sagging that come with applying paint too heavily in one go.

Know When To Call A Professional

These tips will help you achieve a noticeably better result when decorating your own home. That said, there are situations where the finish, the scale of the project or the complexity of the surfaces involved makes professional help the more practical and cost-effective choice.

At Warren Bracegirdle Painters & Decorators, we have been delivering professional painting and decorating services across Macclesfield and Cheshire for over 30 years.  As members of the Painting and Decorating Association, we bring the same meticulous approach to every project, from a single room to a full property. 

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