How to paint a wall

[Schritt 1:] Prepare your walls and work area.

Many of us wish we could skip the preparation phase and go straight to painting the walls in the chosen color. But the first phase before painting a room is crucial for the perfect result.

You can find the necessary painting supplies HERE

Before you start:

1. Move all furniture and accessories to the center of the room and cover them with dust sheets.
2. Remove items attached to the wall and fill any holes and cracks.
3. Once dry, sand the filler with sandpaper until the wall is smooth and even.
4. Unclip electrical outlets, switches, and door handles and cover them with masking tape or painter's tape.
5. Tape the windows and the edges where the wall meets the wood trim, running your finger or putty knife along the edge of the tape to prevent bleeding. It's worth investing in high-quality tape.
6. If you are painting over wallpaper, make sure all edges of the wallpaper are firmly adhered. Vacuum the room and use a damp cloth to remove dust from the walls.

Top tip: Try to complete the preparation phase the evening before to minimize disruption to workflow. Then you have enough time to apply two coats of paint and start decorating your room the next day.

[Schritt 2:] Impact: Painting with a brush

This step requires a slow and focused hand, so take your time. The edges where the wall meets another surface are the places where the paint will be most visible, especially if you use dark colors on light wood and light ceilings. Therefore, trimming - or painting the edges of the wall with a brush - is an important step.

Open the can and stir the selected color thoroughly with a stirring stick so that the pigments are evenly distributed. Pour about an inch of paint into a container that is easy to hold.

Dip the brush into the paint. Starting at the top of the wall where it meets the ceiling, paint a frame (about 2 inches wide) around all edges of the wall, from top to bottom. Do the same in the corners of the room: at the edges of the baseboard and around windows, doors, lamps, electrical outlets, and switch plates.

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[Schritt 3:] Paint the wall with a roller

Have your roll ready before the blank is completely dry. Fill approximately 3 cm of paint into the paint container and coat your roller. It should be evenly saturated but not overloaded. The roller should be able to rotate freely without paint dripping off it.

And now comes the moment you've been waiting for: start painting!

Working downward from the ceiling, try to roll the three-foot square in front of you before moving on to the next square section. Your painting technique should involve applying even pressure and moving the roller up and down and across until you have evenly covered each area.

What type of roller should I use?

For our water-based paints, we recommend a medium-pile roller, which is suitable for painting both walls and ceilings.

Important tip:

If paint begins to separate on the wall at the edges of the roller stroke, immediately roll over the lines in a gentle motion. Water-based paints begin to dry quickly. So don't go over sticky paint or you will unsettle the surface.

[Schritt 4:] Thirsty work: Protect your painting tools during breaks

If you need a tea break or are waiting for your first coat to dry, wrap your roll in cling film or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.

[Schritt 5:] Applying a second coat

For most colors, especially if you are using dark colors on a light wall, we recommend two full coats.

As a rule, you should wait at least two hours before applying the second coat, although drying times depend on the weather, humidity and the paint used. You can use this step to correct small errors. For more difficult corners, you can use a small artist's brush.

Repeat the rolling process to apply the second coat - et voila! Your walls are beautifully painted.

[Schritt 6:] Finish: Save your roller and brush

Depending on what type of paint you used, now is the time to clean your brushes. If you have used water-based paints, all you need to clean is water and a little dishwashing liquid. Scrape excess paint from brushes, rollers, and containers into the can. Remove remaining paint by adding a few drops of mild dish soap under running water and rinsing until the water runs clear.

Pat dry with paper towels. If possible, store brushes hanging with the bristles facing down to extend their lifespan. Once dry, store your rollers with the roller cover on.

The paint should be stored with the lid closed so that it is not exposed to extreme temperatures and does not fall into the hands of children.

Once the paint has dried, you can start placing your furniture. But make sure that you always leave a small gap between furniture and walls so that you don't leave any scuff marks on the wall - especially on sofas.

Now sit back, enjoy your newly decorated room - and start planning which room you want to paint next!

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