Painting a room is one of the most effective ways to refresh your home and completely transform the look and feel of a space.
While painting is one of Australia's most popular DIY projects, achieving a smooth, professional-looking finish involves more than simply choosing a colour and picking up a roller. Proper preparation, the right products and proven application techniques all contribute to a result that looks better, lasts longer and stands up to everyday life.
Since 1935, Haymes Paint has been helping Australians achieve high-quality painting results in homes across the country. As Australia's largest Australian Made and Owned paint brand, we understand the preparation methods, paints and techniques that help create durable, beautiful finishes in Australian homes.
Whether you're updating a bedroom, refreshing a living area or giving your entire home a new look, following the right process can help you avoid common mistakes and paint with confidence.
Before You Start Your Painting Project
A successful paint job starts before the first coat goes on the wall.
Before opening a paint tin, spend a few minutes assessing the room. Look for peeling paint, cracks, dents and stains. Consider whether you'll be covering a dark colour, repainting an existing surface or painting newly repaired walls, as these factors can affect preparation and product selection.
If you're still choosing colours, explore our Colour Collection for inspiration. For personalised advice tailored to your home, consider booking a Colour Consult.
It's also worth estimating how much paint you'll need before visiting a store. The Paint Calculator can help you plan your project and reduce unnecessary waste or additional trips for supplies.
How Long Does It Take to Paint a Room?
One of the most common misconceptions about painting is that the job only involves applying paint.
In reality, preparation often takes as much time as painting itself. Cleaning walls, repairing imperfections, allowing filler to dry and waiting between coats all contribute to the overall timeline.
The exact time required depends on the size of the room, the condition of the walls and the products being used. Setting realistic expectations from the beginning helps ensure a smoother, less stressful project.
What You'll Need Before You Start
Gathering everything before you begin will make the process easier and more efficient. You'll need:
- Interior paint
- Primer or undercoat if required
- Paint roller and tray
- Quality paint brushes
- Painter's tape
- Drop sheets
- Sugar soap
- Sandpaper
- Filler or putty
- Damp sponge and clean cloths
- Gloves and face mask
Having everything ready before you start means you can focus on the job rather than stopping halfway through to find missing supplies.
Choosing the Right Paint for Each Surface
Not all paints are designed for the same purpose. Choosing the right product before you begin can help improve durability, appearance and long-term performance.
Interior Expressions® Low Sheen is a popular choice for living rooms, bedrooms and hallways thanks to its washability, stain resistance and suitability for high-traffic areas.
For kitchens, bathrooms and laundries, Kitchen & Bathroom Interior Low Sheen provides exceptional washability together with mould, mildew and bacterial resistance.
Ceiling White features an ultra-flat finish that helps minimise light reflection and disguise minor surface imperfections, making it ideal for ceilings.
For doors, skirting boards and window frames, Ultratrim® Acrylic Semi Gloss delivers a tough, durable finish that is quick drying and non-yellowing.
Where durability and appearance are equally important, Eggshell Interior offers exceptional stain resistance, washability and a sophisticated low-lustre finish suited to hallways, foyers and other high-traffic spaces.
Step 1: Remove Furniture and Decorations
Start by removing as much furniture, artwork, soft furnishings and decorative items from the room as possible.
A clear workspace helps you move freely, reduces the risk of accidental spills and makes the entire painting process more efficient. If larger furniture cannot be removed, move it to the centre of the room and cover it thoroughly.
Creating space now will make every step that follows easier.
Step 2: Protect Floors and Surfaces
Next, protect any surfaces that won't be painted.
Cover floors with drop sheets and ensure any remaining furniture is protected. Many professional painters prefer cotton drop sheets because they provide better grip underfoot and help prevent paint from being tracked throughout the house.
Pay particular attention to walkways and high-traffic areas where paint drips are most likely to occur.
Step 3: Clean the Walls
Clean walls are essential for achieving a durable finish.
Over time, walls collect dust, grease, fingerprints and other contaminants that can affect paint adhesion. Wearing gloves and a face mask, wash the walls using sugar soap and a damp sponge. Once cleaned, allow the surface to dry thoroughly.
This step is particularly important in kitchens, hallways and other busy areas of the home where surfaces are more likely to have accumulated dirt and grease.
Step 4: Repair Cracks Holes and Peeling Paint
Before reaching for the roller, inspect the walls carefully.
Remove any loose or flaking paint and sand rough areas smooth. Fill nail holes, chips and cracks with a suitable filler or putty, then allow it to dry completely. Once dry, sand the repaired areas until smooth and wipe away any dust.
The smoother the surface beneath the paint, the better the final finish will look.
Step 5: Apply Painter's Tape
Painter's tape is one of the simplest ways to improve the appearance of a completed paint job.
Apply tape to skirting boards, architraves, window frames, switches and any fittings you want to protect. Press it down firmly to prevent paint from bleeding underneath.
For the cleanest result, remove the tape shortly after painting rather than leaving it in place for several hours.
Step 6: Prime the Surface
Primer helps create a consistent foundation for your topcoat and can improve both adhesion and appearance.
Depending on the condition of the wall, a primer may be recommended for repaired areas, stains, new plaster or significant colour changes. Sound previously painted surfaces may not always require a full primer coat, but preparation requirements can vary depending on the substrate and project.
Applying primer where required helps create a more uniform finish and can improve the performance of the topcoat.
Step 7: Apply Your Paint
With the preparation complete, it's time to start painting.
Begin by cutting in around ceilings, corners, skirting boards and trim using a quality brush. Once the edges are complete, use a roller to paint the larger wall areas.
For a smoother, more professional-looking finish:
- Roll from floor to ceiling where possible.
- Maintain a wet edge while painting.
- Use a "W" pattern to distribute paint evenly.
- Work one wall at a time.
- Avoid overworking paint that has started to dry.
Most interior painting projects require at least two coats to achieve a consistent colour and finish. Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second.
Painting can feel intimidating if you've never done it before, but following a clear process removes much of the guesswork. Taking your time and focusing on one step at a time will generally deliver better results than rushing to finish the project quickly.
Professional Tips for a Better Finish
Small details often make a significant difference. Professional painters commonly follow this order:
- Trim and woodwork
- Ceiling
- Walls
Other useful tips include:
- Keep a wet edge while rolling.
- Use quality brushes and rollers.
- Avoid overloading the roller with paint.
- Check the finish in natural light where possible.
- Remove painter's tape promptly after painting.
These habits can help create a cleaner, more consistent finish.
Common Painting Mistakes to Avoid
Many painting problems can be traced back to a handful of avoidable mistakes.
Common issues include:
- Skipping wall cleaning.
- Painting over loose or flaking paint.
- Forgetting to sand repaired areas.
- Using the wrong paint for the room.
- Applying the second coat too quickly.
- Moving furniture back before the paint has cured.
Most of these problems are easy to prevent with careful preparation and a little patience.
When Can You Move Furniture Back?
Paint may feel dry to the touch within hours, but that doesn't mean it has fully cured.
If possible, keep furniture away from freshly painted walls for at least 24 hours. This helps reduce the risk of marks, scuffs and accidental damage while the paint continues to harden.
Paint curing continues over many days and, in some cases, weeks. The longer newly painted surfaces can be left undisturbed, the more durable they are likely to become.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many coats of paint do I need? Most interior walls require at least two coats to achieve a consistent colour and finish. Surface condition, colour changes and product selection can influence the final number of coats required.
Do I always need a primer? Not always. Previously painted surfaces in sound condition may not require a full primer coat, while repaired areas, stains, new plaster and significant colour changes often benefit from priming.
What order should I paint a room? A common professional approach is to paint trim first, then the ceiling, followed by the walls.
Can I paint over existing paint? Yes, provided the surface is clean, sound and properly prepared. Any loose paint should be removed and glossy surfaces may require sanding.
How much paint do I need for a room? The amount depends on room size, surface condition and the number of coats required. The Paint Calculator can help estimate your project requirements.
How do I avoid roller marks? Maintain a wet edge, roll the full height of the wall where possible and avoid repeatedly rolling over paint that has begun to dry.
Bring Your Room to Life with Haymes Paint
When you're ready to start your project, book a Colour Consult or use the Paint Calculator, then find your nearest Haymes Paint stockist to start your project with confidence.
A well-painted room changes the way you experience it every day, making the effort you put in today something you'll appreciate long after the paint has dried.
