Spring has arrived and it’s time to freshen up the paint job in your abode.  But how long will it take to paint a room?  Can you just sacrifice one Saturday?  Play hooky from work for a couple days?  Or, heaven forbid, will you have to dip into your vacation bank?! 

Good news!  Your beach getaway is safe!  With a lot of organization, hard work and a positive attitude, it’s totally possible to paint one room in one day.  It might not be easy, but it’ll be worth it.

Let’s get it done!

Step 1. Choose the color and paint finish to paint the room.

Since you’re trying to accomplish this task quickly, try to pick similarly toned colors.  If you already have a light-colored paint on the wall, it’ll be easier to cover it with another light-colored paint.  You’ll save time and money, because you’ll need less paint and spend less time waiting for each coat to dry.  If you want to cover a light color with a dark color, that should be quicker too.  If you want to paint over a dark color with a light one, you’ll need to do more coats and it will definitely take longer and you’ll need more paint. 

Step 2. Protect your space before to paint.

Cover all the areas of the room that you want to protect from paint stains with painter’s tape, newspaper, or plastic.  To cover the floor, lay down some newspaper, flattened card board boxes or plastic that you have at home.  Clear out smaller items and move larger furniture to the center of the room.  If you can’t move something, just cover it with plastic.  Use painter’s tape to cover narrow areas that you do not want to get stained either.

Step 3. Clean the wall before paint the room.

If you try to paint over dust or dirt, the paint won’t adhere as it should and it just won’t look good.  So, grab a rag and give them walls a quick clean before painting.  And don’t forget the corners.

Step 4. Paint the wall.

Now you can get down to work and start painting.  Pass at least two coats of paint on the surface so that the color sets well.  Make sure the walls dry for at least a couple of hours before applying the second coat.  Painting wet walls can cause unsightly marks and may even damage the wall. 

And you’re done!  You did it!  Clean up and enjoy your hard work!  If you have any leftover cans of paint, keep it for future touch ups or give it to someone else looking to challenge themselves.

Maybe you might be interested: Paint Finishes: A Guide to Choosing the Best Paint for Your Interior Project