Paint a Room

From: Martha Stewart

In theory, we all know how to paint a room. Dip a brush or roller in a color and spread it over the wall. But painting neatly and efficiently is a skill most of us could brush up on. We have a basic guide to the essential tips and techniques to get the job done.
Step 1: Filling the Cracks- Fill cracks with caulk and immediately smooth out with sponge before it dries.- Fill holes with spackle and let dry completely. Sand using a medium-grit paper.- Repair cracks with self-adhesive fiberglass mesh joint tape, apply joint compound, and lightly sand.
Step 2: Cleaning the Walls- Wash walls with a damp sponge.- Remove dust by wiping baseboards and floors.
Step 3: Priming the walls- Use white primer for light-colored paint.- Use tinted primer for dark-colored paint.
Step 4: Using a Brush- Paint part of a corner or around the trim with a 2-inch angled brush. This is called "cutting in."- "Cut in" with brush 4-foot sections at a time to avoid marks when paint dries.
Step 5: The "V" technique- Pour paint into reservoir of your roller tray and dip in one edge of the roller. Move back and forth until it's saturated but not dripping.- Paint a two-foot "V" and fill it in with tight vertical strokes.- Repeat, working top to bottom, until you've completed the wall.
Step 6: Storing the Leftover Paint- Transfer leftover paint to smaller airtight plastic containers, as leaving paint in an open cans dries it out.- Create labels with the name of the room in which the color was used, and keep the paint on hand for touch-ups.