Paint a Room (12×12 Bedroom)
Most "bad paint jobs" come from skipping prep, not bad rolling. Budget 70% of your time for the boring steps and the painting itself becomes easy.
Tools
- ✓Microfiber covers leave the smoothest finish
- ✓For cutting in
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- ✓4–6 ft — saves your shoulders and ladder time
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Materials
- +12x12 room with one coat — buy 2 gallons if going from dark to light
- +If you're doing baseboards / trim
Steps
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1
Empty and prep the room
Move everything to the center, cover with one big drop cloth. Remove outlet covers and switch plates — bag the screws with each one.
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2
Patch and sand
Fill nail holes with spackle. Once dry, sand smooth. Wipe walls with a damp cloth to remove dust.
Tip: Run your hand across the wall. Any bumps you feel will telegraph through the paint — sand them now. -
3
Tape the edges
Tape along ceiling line, baseboards, door/window trim. Press the inner edge firmly with your putty knife — that's how you get a clean line.
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4
Cut in first
With the angled brush, paint a 2–3" band along ceilings, corners, trim, and outlets. Work in 4-foot sections so the cut-in stays wet when you roll.
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5
Roll out the walls
Load the roller in the tray, roll out excess on the ramp. Apply in a "W" pattern in a 3x3 ft section, then fill it in with vertical strokes. Maintain a wet edge as you move.
Tip: The classic mistake: pushing too hard. Let the roller do the work — heavy pressure leaves stipple. -
6
Second coat (if needed)
Recoat after 2–4 hours depending on paint. Always check by walking the room with the sun coming in — thin spots show up best with raking light.
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7
Pull the tape early
Pull tape while paint is still slightly tacky (about an hour after the last coat) to avoid tearing dried paint.