How to paint a room – a beginner’s guide

Transform your space

Anyone can see what a striking difference a paint job makes. It transforms a space with the stroke of a brush. Painting may seem complicated, but it’s an easy and rewarding D.I.Y. project. All it requires is a little time, patience, practice and the right products.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Quality matters

While an experienced painter might be able to get a good result with inexpensive paint, Craig Nielson of Taubmans says novices need to have high-quality paint and painting tools to make sure the finished job lasts the distance.

Premium paint provides better and more even coverage. Although it is more expensive, you can spot a top-quality paint by the balance of solids and solvents. Premium paints have more solids (such as pigments and binders) and fewer solvents than their budget counterparts, resulting in a thicker, more durable layer when dry. Good quality paint brushes and rollers also contribute to a smoother job.

“An ultra-premium interior paint, such as Taubmans Endure, will do anything,” says Craig. “It’s super scrubbable and you won’t have to repaint. It won’t look dirty. If you get muck on the wall or marks from kids and dogs, it’ll clean off beautifully. It will actually stay looking good until you’re sick of the colour.”

Types of paint

Before you break out the paint rollers and brushes, you need to choose the right type of paint for your needs. “Water-based paints are fast drying and simply require water for washing up, whereas oil-based paints take longer to dry and require turps for cleaning your brushes,” says Tayler Zouch of Dulux.

Traditionally, oil-based paints are used for high-traffic areas such as door frames, skirting boards and staircases. However, with increasing demand for more sustainable products, oil-based paints are on the way out. For most applications, the industry is moving towards water-based paints (also known as acrylics), with new formulas that are not only as tough as oil-based products, but are also more convenient and better for the environment, particularly in terms of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Sheens and shine

Paint comes in a variety of sheen levels, including matt, satin, gloss, semi-gloss, low gloss and low sheen. These vary in shine level, as well as reflectivity and durability, and each serves a different purpose.

Low-sheen paint is ideal for interior walls. With minimal light reflection, it helps to hide imperfections. It is also hard wearing and easy to clean, making it suitable for walls in high-traffic areas that need regular wipe-downs. Matt paint gives a velvety, reflectionless surface and also hides imperfections, but it may be harder to clean.

High-gloss paints are often the go-to choice for bathrooms, kitchens and laundries, as they’re a great match for the hard, reflective surfaces found in these spaces. The shine factor of gloss paint is also an effective way to highlight architectural features, such as trim, door frames and windowsills. For ceilings, Tayler recommends a product that gives a flat finish, such as Dulux Ceiling White, to minimise reflection and help hide surface imperfections.

How paint tints work

For consistent colour, most paints are mixed in-store using bases and tints. (Tints are the pigments that go into paint to create colours.)

“Each colour has its own tint formulation, which is held in a database that is linked to the tint machine,” explains Dulux colour expert Andrea Lucena-Orr. “This ensures your chosen colour will look the same every time.”

Different paint colours are mixed using a variety of bases depending on the shade and vibrancy of your chosen hue. These bases are clearly printed on both the colour chip and the front label of paint cans for efficient and accurate mixing.

Paint coverage rates

Before you buy paint, you need to have an idea of the surface area to cover. To determine the amount required, we have a handy online paint calculator. Enter room measurements and details to work out your quantities. Premium paints generally give better coverage of about 15 sqm/L. It’s best to get a little more than you think you need so you don’t have to mix batches. Most quality products need two coats, unless you are radically altering the colour.

Painting prep and primers

The most common mistake novice painters make is not preparing properly. “Before applying the topcoat, it’s always best to properly prepare the wall,” says Tayler. “This will ensure the best results and help your paint last longer.”

Start by using a pre-mixed, fast-drying surface filler to cover any cracks, chips or scratches. Use Sugar soap to scrub off stains, spots and stubborn dirt marks. Allow the wall to dry completely before using sandpaper and a sanding block. “Sand as needed to free the surface of contamination and loose, flaking paint,” says Tayler.

Use a soft brush or broom to remove any remaining dust, then apply primer or paint. If you’re unsure of the original paint composition or are using a water-based product over oil-based paint, you’ll need to apply a primer. A good time-saving option is a 3-in-1 primer, which locks onto all types of surfaces, including oil-based enamels.

Painting and drying times

Once you start painting, allow one hour per seven square metres to apply the first coat. It’s important to let it dry before starting a second coat. You’ll find a drying time guide on your paint can, but water-based paint typically takes about four to five hours to dry, while oil-based formulas are best left overnight.

Paint colours may vary on application.

Undertaking paint renovations?

Check out our guide to preparing a wall for painting.

Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Photo Credit: James Moffatt