What You'll Need
 

• Latex Paint
• Drop Cloth
• Painter's Tape
• 2 or 2-1/2 in. Synthetic Angular Sash Brush (with flagged bristles)
• 2 or 2-1/2 in. Synthetic Trim Brush (with flagged bristles)
• Roller Tray
• Roller - use longer nap (3/8") for eggshell, use shorter nap (3/16") for higher glosses

Step 1:
Start by selecting your paint color and paint finish. There's flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss. The traditional formula is eggshell on the walls and semi-gloss for the trim. However, you personal preference is what counts! There are also special paint formulas designed for specific rooms such as kids' room paint or kitchen and bath paint.

Step 2:
Figure out how much paint you will need. Multiply the wall height by the length for each wall you will be painting. (Don't subtract for windows or doors.) Now divide the surface area by the spreading rate listed on the side of the paint can. Want to do it the easy way? Check out the Pittsburgh Paint or the Benjamin Moore websites! They have paint calculators that will do all the work for you! And you can browse their paint selections while you're there too!

Step 3:
Prepare the room by removing everything you can from it. This includes the little things like light switch covers, pictures, even nails! Clean the walls with a regular cleaner like Fantastic, making sure no residue is left behind. If you are painting over a semi-gloss or gloss paint, you will need to degloss it. Either sand it down with a fine sandpaper or use a liquid deglosser. (Make sure you wipe the walls with a tack cloth if you sand them!) Finally, use your painter's tape to mask off your trim, baseboards, and doorways. You don't need to mask off the ceiling since you can cut that angle in by hand. (Note: Don't remove the tape for 24 hours!

Step 4:
Now it's time to paint! Start by using your trim brush and paint about a 3" wide strip along the wall/ceiling line, starting from the corner and working on one wall at a time. (If you are painting your ceiling too, do that first! Always work from the top of the room down!) Next, "cut in" around the baseboards, the windows, and the doorways. Now roll the paint onto that wall. If you're working with a friend, have one person cut in while the other person follows with the roller. This ensures that there will not be a noticable line between the brushing and the rolling areas!

Step 5:
Almost done but first we have to paint the trim! Use your sash brush and paint the edge of the trim that is closest to the wall, then moving onto the flat face. Repeat this on the baseboards and doorways. Keep a damp rag close by to clean up any drips off the floor or carpet!

Step 6:
That's it! A completely new look! Be sure to clean-up your trays, brushes, and rollers with warm, soapy water so they'll be ready next time you want to paint! Store any leftover paint by covering the can opening with plastic wrap and then replacing the cover. Store it upside down marking it with the date, the room, and the color name. (If you finish a can of paint, leave the top off to allow any leftover paint to dry. Check with your town about disposal.)

This how to project is provided as a guideline only. Any do-it-yourself activity involves some risk and the reader remains responsible for the selection and use of tools, materials, and methods.