How to Paint a Room: A Step-by-Step Guide

This six-step sequence applies for redecorating a room.

Step 1: Ceiling - First Coat

Start in a corner near the window and work away from the light - this makes it easier to spot any patches you've missed.

Using a 50 mm (2 in) brush, paint the edge of the ceiling.
With a larger brush, roller, or pad, work from the wet edges in bands about 60 cm (24 in) wide across the width of the room, blending the edges together.
Try not to overlap the walls and ceiling by more than 2-3 mm (1/8 in). If there's coving, paint it at the same time as the ceiling. Paint it first if it's in a different colour.

Step 2: Walls - First Coat

Start at a top right corner (top left, if you are left-handed) and paint the edges with a 50 mm (2 in) brush.
Using a larger brush, roller, or pad, paint areas about 60 sq cm/24 sq in. Work in horizontal bands, blending wet edges.

Step 3: Ceiling - Final Coat

Repeat step 1.

Step 4: Woodwork - First Coat

If you're using a one-coat gloss, wait until you've given the walls their final coat before painting the woodwork. Opinions vary as to the best order, but there are some common-sense rules:

Paint any picture rails first. Because they're high, you won't knock them while you're painting the rest of the woodwork.
Paint opening windows as early in the day as possible to give them time to dry.
Paint skirting boards last. This is where you're most likely to pick up dirt on the paintbrush and you don't want to risk transferring specks on to more visible woodwork.
Avoid getting gloss paint on adjacent walls - you'll need a steady hand - as it will show through the next (and any future) coat of emulsion.