A fresh coat of paint is the fastest way to make a home feel new — and the easiest job to get wrong. Roller marks, patchy colour and peeling a few months later nearly always come down to skipped preparation. These seven steps are what separate a professional finish from a rushed one.
Fix the wall before you paint it
Fill cracks and holes, let the filler dry fully, then sand it flush. Paint does not hide defects — it highlights them.
Clean the surface
Dust, grease and cooking residue stop paint from bonding. Wipe walls down with a damp cloth and mild detergent, especially in kitchens, and let them dry.
Treat damp and stains first
Painting over a water stain or damp patch only hides it for a few weeks. Find and fix the cause, then use a stain-blocking primer.
Do not skip the primer
Primer seals the surface so the top coat goes on evenly. It matters most on new plaster, filled patches and when going from a dark colour to a light one.
Choose the right finish for the room
Matt hides imperfections and suits living rooms and bedrooms. Washable satin or silk finishes cope better with kitchens, bathrooms and children's rooms.
Cut in, then roll
Paint the edges and corners with a brush first, then roll the main area while the edges are still wet, working in overlapping W-shaped passes.
Apply two thin coats
Two thin coats always look better and last longer than one thick one. Let the first dry for the time stated on the tin before starting the second.
