The Ultimate Guide to Interior Painting: DIY Tips & Expert Tricks for a Holiday-Ready Home

Is your home ready for a fresh, cozy update just in time for the holidays? Interior painting is an excellent way to create a warm, inviting atmosphere, but preparation is key to achieving professional results. Whether you’re calling in the pros or taking the DIY route, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re tackling it yourself, here’s a complete checklist to help you prep your space for a beautiful winter refresh. And if it feels overwhelming or you’re short on time, our team is always here to help. But first, let’s share some expert tips to get you started…

1. Choose Your Colors Thoughtfully

Winter is the perfect time to bring warmth and comfort to your home. Consider colors that create a cozy feel, like soft greys, warm whites, or rich earth tones. Need inspiration? Check out our guide to the 2025 Colors of the Year for ideas on calming, inviting shades perfect for the season.

2. Clear the Space

Move furniture to the center of the room and cover it with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. Take down any wall decor, curtains, and blinds for easy access and protect your items.

3. Clean Your Walls

Dust and clean your walls thoroughly to ensure paint adheres smoothly. Focus on areas prone to buildup, like kitchen walls or high-traffic areas. A simple solution of mild soap and water works well!

4. Gather the Right Equipment

Using the proper tools can make a significant difference in the quality and ease of your project. Here are some essential items you'll need:

• Rollers: Use a medium-nap roller for smooth walls and a high-nap roller for textured surfaces to achieve even, consistent coverage.
• Brushes: Choose high-quality brushes suited for specific tasks. Angled brushes are ideal for edges and corners, while flat brushes cover larger surfaces efficiently.
• Painter’s Tape: Essential for creating clean edges around trim, windows, and doors.
• Paint Trays and Liners: Keep paint accessible and make cleanup easy.
• Extension Poles: Perfect for reaching high walls or ceilings without a ladder, ensuring both safety and a smooth application.

For a complete shopping list, download our infographic: Interior Painting Project Shopping List.

5. Repair Any Wall Imperfections

Inspect your walls for cracks, holes, or any rough patches. Fill in minor holes with spackle, sand the surface, and ensure everything is smooth before painting begins.

6. Protect Your Flooring

Use drop cloths or plastic sheeting to cover floors. For added protection, tape down edges to prevent any paint spills or drips from seeping through.

7. Safety First: Minimize Hazards

Safety is essential during any painting project. Here are some tips to keep everyone safe and avoid accidents:

• Ladder Safety: Ensure ladders are stable and positioned on even ground. Avoid overreaching, and only use ladders that are in good condition.
• Clear Tripping Hazards: Keep walkways free of tools, paint cans, and drop cloth edges to prevent tripping. Communicate with anyone in the home about the project layout to avoid accidental mishaps.
• Keep Pets and Children Away: Plan to keep pets and kids out of the work area to prevent injuries and interruptions. Not only is this safer, but it also helps maintain the quality of the work being done.
• Proper Ventilation: Good airflow is important to prevent fumes from building up. Open windows or use fans to keep fresh air circulating, especially when using oil-based paints or primers.

8. Consider Trim and Molding

If you’re going for a complete refresh, custom trim or crown molding can enhance the final look. Talk to our team about adding elegant trim work for a polished, professional finish.

9. How Much Paint Should You Buy?

Knowing how much paint to buy can save you time, money, and extra trips to the store. Here’s a quick guide to help you estimate:

1. Measure the Room: Start by calculating the wall area. Measure the height and width of each wall, then multiply those numbers together to get the square footage of each wall. Add them up for the total area. For example, if a wall is 10 feet high and 12 feet wide, it’s 120 square feet.
2. Subtract Windows and Doors: Don’t forget to subtract the area of windows, doors, or large openings. On average, a window is about 15 square feet, and a door is around 20 square feet. Subtract these from your total wall area.
3. Consider Paint Coverage: A gallon of paint typically covers around 350-400 square feet with one coat, but it’s a good idea to check the specific coverage on your paint can as it can vary. Keep in mind that textured walls or dark colors may require more paint for full coverage.
4. Account for Two Coats: Most projects will need at least two coats for an even, professional-looking finish. Multiply your total area by two to ensure you have enough paint for a second coat.
5. Round Up: To be safe, round up to the nearest gallon. Having a little extra paint on hand is useful for touch-ups or future maintenance.

Example Calculation

For a room with four walls each 10 feet high and 12 feet wide, minus one 15-square-foot window and one 20-square-foot door:

• Wall area: 10 ft x 12 ft = 120 sq ft per wall; 4 walls = 480 sq ft
• Minus window and door: 480 sq ft - 15 - 20 = 445 sq ft
• Two coats: 445 sq ft x 2 = 890 sq ft
• Coverage: 890 sq ft ÷ 400 sq ft (per gallon) ≈ 2.2 gallons

In this example, you would need about 2-3 gallons for full coverage.

Bonus Tip: Store Extra Paint Properly

After your project is complete, keep leftover paint for future touch-ups. Here's how to store it effectively:

• Keep it in a temperature-controlled space (avoid garages or areas with temperature swings).
• Label the can with the room or project name and the date using a permanent marker.
• Seal the lid tightly to keep the paint fresh, and store the can upside-down to create a tighter seal.

Having extra paint on hand makes it easy to cover any scuffs or scratches that may appear down the road!

Get Your Home Holiday-Ready with an Interior Paint Refresh!

With this guide, you’re all set for a smooth and beautiful interior transformation. Ready to get started? Download our Project Plan Template and Interior Painting Project Shopping List to make your process even easier.

If DIY feels a bit outside your comfort zone or you’re simply short on time, Annapolis Painting Services is here to help. Book your winter refresh today! Contact us to schedule your holiday painting project and enjoy a fresh, inviting space just in time for the season.