How to paint walls yourself in apartment interior

Painting Walls by Yourself

Even the most expensive paint won't help if the walls aren't properly prepared.
But the right technique will give you a perfectly smooth and durable result — even without calling professionals.

1. Choosing Paint and Tools

Choosing paint for walls and painting tools: roller, brushes, masking tape

For living spaces, water-based paints are most commonly used:

• Acrylic — versatile and dries quickly,
• Latex — washable and durable,
• Silicone — elastic, hides microcracks.

Tools:

• wide and narrow rollers,
• brushes for corners and reveals,
• masking tape,
• plastic paint tray with ribbed section.

💡 Pro tip: roller with 8–12 mm nap length — for smooth walls, 12–18 mm — for textured walls.
❌ Mistake: cheap roller leaves nap fibers, and without a narrow roller — corners will remain unpainted.

2. Mixing the Paint

How to properly mix paint before painting walls

Before starting, thoroughly mix the paint — pigments settle to the bottom.
For 5L+ containers, better use a drill mixer attachment.

💡 Pro advice: periodically stir the paint while working.
❌ Mistake: adding water "by eye" — this disrupts paint properties.

3. Painting Corners and Tight Spots

Technique for painting wall corners with brush before main painting

Start with a brush — roller won't reach corners and along baseboards.

How to do it right:

• use flat or angled brush 30–50 mm,
• dip the tip of the brush in paint, remove excess,
• work along masking tape smoothly, without pressure,
• work in 50–70 cm sections so the roller can overlap while wet.

💡 Pro tip: corners are better painted twice, in thin layers.
❌ Mistake: painting corners with roller or removing tape after full dry.

4. Main Painting with Roller

Correct technique for painting walls with roller: W and N pattern method

Dip the roller in paint, roll on the ribbed part of the tray, and apply in a "W" or "N" pattern, then evenly roll from top to bottom.

Tips:

• work in 1–1.5 m² sections,
• edges should stay wet,
• first strokes — no pressure, last ones — light, "rolling".

💡 Pro tip: use extension handle for ceilings — less strain on arms.
❌ Mistake: painting chaotically → patches and streaks.

5. Second Coat

Painting walls with second coat: why second coat is needed and when to apply it

First coat — base, second makes color richer.
Wait 2–4 hours, or check the label for exact drying time.

💡 Advice: apply second coat perpendicular to the first — this eliminates roller marks.
❌ Mistake: starting second coat too early — paint will "peel".

6. Finishing and Cleanup

Finishing wall painting: removing masking tape and cleaning tools

Final steps:

• remove tape while paint is slightly wet,
• wash tools with warm water,
• ventilate room without drafts.

💡 Pro tip: wrap roller in plastic wrap — won't dry out for a day.
❌ Mistake: forgetting to remove tape → paint edge may tear or stretch.

Paint Calculator

Before painting, calculate how many liters you'll need:

Example: 5×3 m room, 2.7 m height, no large windows ≈ 24 liters of paint.

Summary

Painting walls is not complicated, but requires care.
Follow the steps, don't rush, and the result will look professional.
Smooth color, clean lines, and neat corners — all possible to do yourself.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Painting Walls

📌 How Long Does Paint Take to Dry on Walls?

Usually 2–4 hours for the first coat and the same for the second. For complete drying, it takes 24 hours. Time depends on paint type and room temperature.

📌 How to Calculate Paint Amount?

Use our paint calculator above. Multiply room perimeter by wall height and subtract window and door areas.

📌 Can I Paint Walls Without Primer?

You can, but primer:

• Improves paint adhesion
• Saves 20–30% of paint
• Increases coating durability

Bottom line: primer is essential for quality results.

📌 Which Paint is Best for Apartment Walls?

Top 3 by quality:

1. Acrylic water-based — versatile, dries quickly
2. Latex — washable, water-resistant
3. Silicone — hides cracks, "breathes"

📌 Why Are There Streaks After Painting?

Causes:

• ❌ Old or cheap roller
• ❌ Too dry roller
• ❌ Insufficient paint mixing
• ❌ Chaotic application without rolling

Solution: use W or N pattern, roll same area twice.

📌 How Much Does Professional Wall Painting Cost?

Average cost $3–5/ft² ($32–54/m²) in major cities. For a 150 ft² (14 m²) room, that's $450–750. Doing it yourself saves 100% of this amount.

📸 Photos: Renohacks.com collection
🏷️ Tags: wall painting, renovation, DIY, interior, paint, DIY home improvement