How to Paint Walls

How To Paint A Wall

A woman uses a hand sander to sand and smooth drywall.

Step 1 – Prep the Walls

The right preparation gives you a smooth, clean finish. You’ll want to clean the surface, prime, make any repairs and sand the walls.

A woman kneels as she applies green paint to a wall above a baseboard using a paintbrush.

Step 2 – Cutting In

When painting along the trim and under ceilings, use an angled bush to get into areas that a roller can't reach. The technique is called “cutting in.”

Woman kneels on floor, pouring green paint from a can into a paint tray, on top of a tarp.

Step 3 – Let’s Roll

A roller is typically better than a brush for walls and other large surface areas. Use the correct type of roller cover for the type of paint you're using.

A woman applies green paint to a white wall with a paint roller.

Step 4 – Learn the Technique

In an area about 3’ x 3’, roll on paint in the shape of an N, from bottom left to top right. Fill the center horizontally, then lightly smooth with vertical strokes.

A woman walks along an interior baseboard as she removes painter’s tape from a freshly painted wall.

Step 5 – Remove Tape

Painter's tape keeps paint off trim and gives clean, straight paint lines. Press down well along tape edge so paint won’t bleed. Remove tape before paint dries.