What is the correct order to paint a room?

‘DIY painters need to know to start at the top and work down,’ says George Crew, licensed contractor and owner of Chicago Paint Crew. ‘Usually, ceilings are done first to avoid all the spray or speckles from the roller on the walls or trim.’ From there, you can paint your trim before leaving them to dry, taping them up, and finish with your walls.

Do professional painters always wash walls before painting?

Professional painters always clean down walls before painting them. Walls attract more dust than you realize even though they are vertical surfaces. This dust can then make it difficult for paint to adhere to the wall, or even lead to an uneven, textured finish. What’s more, any grease that is left on the walls before painting can prevent paint from sticking, leading to peeling or patches. Professionals will even dust down backing paper before painting too, even when it is freshly applied.

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12 top interior painting tips from experts – for a flawless, fabulous finish

These interior painting tips come expert-approved and ensure a top-quality paint job

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A steplader and long handled paint roller by a blank white wall

(Image credit: Getty Images)

By Chiana Dickson

published 22 April 2023

in Advice

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Chiana Dickson

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Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips. She was named one of Fixr's top home improvement journalists in 2024.

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