How to Paint a Wall

In this video, we are going to learn how to paint a wall that has already been covered with an undercoat or primer. Refer to our video: "Prepare a wall for painting (or works)"

Here we have selected a satin paint in the colour "china blue"

To make a room feel larger, the ideal is to use a white ceiling with lighter colours which keep the room feeling light and spacious. By contrast, darker colours give the effect of making a room feel smaller.

When we paint a room in two colours, it is recommend to paint the darkest colour on the wall where the window is situated. The opposite wall is where the incoming light will be reflected. So if this wall is painted in a lighter colour, it's lightness will be even more pronounced

You will need: a paint roller, a fine, round brush; a stepladder, a paint bucket, a paint roller grid, and a little elbow grease

You will also need a cloth to wipe away any excess paint

Make sure you properly protect anything you do not wish to paint with masking tape. Use smaller strips of tape to get straighter lines.

If you have a wall-mounted radiator, remove it and store it safely elsewhere during painting

For electrical sockets and switches, cover them entirely with masking tape

Mix the paint thoroughly with a metal or wooden stick. This will give you a more uniform colour and texture. For larger quantities of paint, use a paint mixer.

Start painting at the corners and edges of your surface using the round paint brush

Paint carefully

Wipe away any excess paint on your brush onto the side of the tin of paint

Finish by painting around switches and sockets, still using the brush

Once all the edges and corners have been painted, transfer your paint to the paint bucket

and you can begin painting with your roller

Make sure the roller is completely dry to avoid diluting the paint or creating water marks

Dip the roller in the paint and wipe off the excess well using the grid. Begin at the top of the wall working your way down in regular, vertical strips

Then, go over painting in horizontal strips

Paint the whole surface without stopping in order to avoid any variations in paint colour

Leave to dry for the time indicated on the packaging - normally between 10-24 hrs

Repeat these steps for the second coat

Go over the edges and borders starting from the ceiling working down to the skirting boards with your brush, but make sure that it is only lightly covered in paint.

For the second coat using your roller, it's preferable to use a roller with an extendable pole to achieve a more even finish, free from colour variations and marks from re-painting

Leave to dry for the length of time indicated on the packaging

Don't forget to clean your painting equipment as soon as you have finished - rinse thoroughly with water

Do not wait longer than 48hrs before removing the masking tape, otherwise you risk damaging your paint

Your painting works are now finished and you can put your room back together.