A lot of homeowners don’t know how to paint a house interior. However, it’s a great skill to learn whether you just want to spruce things up for fun or improve the home before selling. Using the right tools and following best practices can help you achieve a professional finish. These tips make it easier to paint an interior room with good results.

Choose the Best Color For Your Walls

The color that a homeowner chooses to paint their house can have a big effect on the appearance of their home. Neutrals work best for homeowners who plan to sell their home soon. Neutrals are also best in common areas of the house, like the living room and dining room, where guests and members of the household spend time together. Brighter, bolder colors are more appropriate for parts of the house like the bedroom, where these personalized touches can make the space feel more intimate and special.

Paint Samples Before Picking the Color

It’s hard to tell what a paint color will look like by looking at a small swatch. Applying the paint to the wall is the only way to judge whether or not a color is right for a room. Paint stores sell samples for this very purpose. To get the best idea of what a color will look like in a room, paint a large square on the wall.

Prep the Surface

Prepping the room’s surfaces for paint may be the most crucial step of the painting process. If you’re not sure how to clean walls before painting, follow these steps:

• Dust the walls with a damp rag, then dry the walls or allow them to air dry.
• Remove all smoke detector and electric outlet covers.
• Cover all vents with painter’s tape.
• Use painter’s tape to tape tarp to the floor.
• Move all furniture out of the room or away from the walls. Cover furniture left in the room with tarps.
• Fill all holes with spackling. Give the spackling time to dry, then sand the spackling until it is flush with the wall.
• Remove all window treatments. Window treatments that are fixed to the window (like blinds) must either be protected with a tarp and painter’s tape, or must also be removed.

Check Temperatures and Humidity Before Beginning to Paint

High humidity, cold temperatures or very hot temperatures can affect the way paint dries. Check the temperature and humidity recommendations on the paint can before beginning a project, then run climate control as necessary.

Be Prepared to Apply More Than One Coat

Once the first coat of paint has been applied, most rooms will require at least one more coat. Very dark colors may need several coats for an even finish. After finishing each coat, walk away from the project while the paint is drying. Come back to view the room in full daylight before deciding if a project is finished or another coat is needed.