Paint a room
Save £200–500 in 1 day — no decorator needed
Most people hire a decorator for this. You probably don't need to.
Last updated: January 2025
Only basic tools needed — most homes already have them.
Before you start
Good preparation is 80% of a professional-looking paint job. Rushing the prep is the number one reason DIY painting looks amateur.
You need: emulsion paint, a roller and tray, a 2-inch angled brush for cutting in, masking tape, dust sheets, filler, and sandpaper.
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Tools & materials
- !Emulsion paint— buy — 30 per tin, choose the correct finish (matt for walls, silk for high-moisture rooms)
- !Roller, roller sleeve and tray— buy — 15 as a set
- !2-inch angled cutting-in brush— buy — 6, essential for clean edges
- !Masking tape— buy — 5 per roll
- !Dust sheets— buy or borrow: old bedsheets work fine too
- ✓Sandpaper and ready-mixed filler— for wall preparation
Want everything in one go?
Prices shown on retailer sites. Always check current pricing before purchasing.
Prepare the room
Move furniture to the centre and cover with dust sheets. Remove switch plates and socket covers. Lay dust sheets on the floor and tape them to the skirting boards.
Most people get this done in under 5 minutes.
Where beginners go wrong
Skipping the fill and sand step — every imperfection in the wall shows up under fresh paint.
Applying paint too thickly in one coat, which causes drips and uneven drying.
Leaving masking tape on too long — if paint dries fully on the tape, it can peel the new paint when removed. Remove tape while the final coat is still slightly tacky.
Stop and call a decorator if...
There is damp on the walls — paint will not adhere and the problem will return
You see mould under the old paint — this needs treatment before redecorating
The walls have extensive cracking that suggests a structural issue
Cost breakdown
Recommended starter kit
Five tools that cover most home repairs.
- →Adjustable spannerAmazon·Screwfix
- →Screwdriver setAmazon·Screwfix
- →PTFE tapeAmazon·Screwfix
- →Spirit levelAmazon·Screwfix
- →Tape measureAmazon·Screwfix
Want everything in one go? Get it on Amazon
What you just learned
You now know how to prepare, cut in, and roll a wall to a professional standard. These skills transfer to painting ceilings, woodwork, and eventually more advanced techniques like colour blocking and feature walls.
Most people would pay a tradesperson for this.
⚠️ Watch out if you rent
You need your landlord's written permission to repaint. Some allow it — but may require you to repaint in the original colour before you leave. Get this agreed in writing before you buy any paint.
How long will this actually take me?
First time
1.5–2 days
With experience
1 day
Prep — filling, sanding, cleaning — takes longer than the painting itself. Don't skip it.