Whether you are in the San Francisco Bay Area suburbs or a skyscraper penthouse in New York City, the painting processes for an interior job are so similar they are the same.
Suppose you are thinking about doing the paint job yourself or maybe hiring a professional, either way, knowing how to prepare the space is a MUST.
So prepare yourself by following these tips room by room, and you will be golden.
1. Clear The Space
Remove or move furniture, decor, and accessories to another room or a central location.
This will give you or the painters plenty of space to work in, reducing the risk of damage to your belongings and ensuring a better-quality painting job.
Move large pieces of furniture, such as sofas and beds, to a different room or storage area. Clear small items, such as knick-knacks and picture frames, from the walls and surfaces.
Remove curtains, blinds, and other window treatments, and store them away from the painting area.
Cover valuable or delicate items, such as electronics and antiques, with plastic wrap or sheets to protect them from dust and paint splatters.
By removing or moving furniture and accessories, you can create a clean, uncluttered workspace for the painters, making it easier for them to do their job and ensuring a better final result.
2. Cover The Floors With Dropcloths
This will help keep your floors clean and protected, reducing the need for extra cleanup after the painting is complete.
Remove rugs and carpets, and place them in another room or on top of furniture. Another option is to turn them upside down, just in case an accident happens.
Cover hardwood or tile flooring with drop cloths to protect them from paint splatters and drips.
I like using Trimaco One Tuff Dropcloths because they are lighter and stay in place much better than the regular canvas due to the plastic underneath that prevents the blue drop cloth from moving. Here you have a link to this type of canvas.
If you already own some regular canvas, do not worry, you do not need to spend more money. You can always tape down the edges of the drop cloths to prevent tripping or slipping hazards.
By covering your floors with drop cloths, you can ensure that they will remain clean and protected during the painting process. As a reward, you will save time and effort in cleaning up after the job is done and help maintain your home’s overall look and value.
3. Remove Switches & Outlet Covers.
Some painters like to tape around them, but we remove them instead so there are zero chances of painting one of them by accident.
4. Protect Items That Will Not Be Painted
Mask off around the edges of everything that is not getting painted, such as cabinets, floors, lighting (if you can, remove it), plastic window frames, and trim or baseboards if these are not getting painted.
In short, anything and everything you do not want to see paint on.
5. Clean The Walls
Removing any dirt, dust, or grease from your walls is critical, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
Mainly because you cannot always see the grease on the walls, but believe me, it is there unless you have never cooked in your kitchen.
In the high corners of the house, especially when you have 20 feet tall ceilings, there might be spiderwebs that you can’t see from the bottom.
DO NOT miss this step.
6. Fill Imperfections & Let Them Dry
Fill in any cracks, holes, or dents with spackling compound and let dry.
Follow the instructions on any of the products you use. The last thing you want is to use the wrong material on unsuitable surfaces.
I can’t say how often weekend warriors use inappropriate materials. Then it takes twice the time and money to fix the problem.
Do it right the first time, take your time to read the labels, or even better, watch some YouTube videos and see how the professionals do it.
You will be happy you took the time.
7. Sand Rough Areas & Wipe Them Down With A Damp Cloth
One of the most common mistakes for poor adhesion is not sanding surfaces that need it.
It is essential to sand surfaces not only to make them smoother but also to break the top surfaces of the paint; this allows the following coats to have better bonding, regardless of whether the subsequent coats are finishes or primers.
Remember, DO NOT sand lead-based paint.
See more about lead paint and how to protect your family from it here.
8. Choose Your Paint Colors & Finishes Wisely
If you did not hire a painter, go to the paint store and ask questions, watch videos, and learn how different sheens can change how your walls look, accenting imperfections or hiding them.
The right sheen is as much important as the color.
Make sure you put some large mock-ups on the wall before you make the final choice.
You will be surprised by how different virtual renderings or cardboard samples look compared to actual paint on the walls. Please do not wait until it is too late.
So What’s Next With My Interior Painting Job?
Preparing your home in advance can make the professional painting process easier, quicker, and more efficient and help ensure a high-quality result.
For those who are unsure that they can do this well themselves, seeking the help of a professional painter can make all the difference.
With our team of experienced painters, we can help you with your interior painting job with precision and the highest quality with a simple consultation.
Schedule it now before we run out of spots!