How to paint your home like a pro: Tips and ideas

Surfaces need to be patched, cleaned and primed to get the perfect finish

Preparation is always crucial in any DIY task. When painting using swiftly drying, moving fluids, sloppy missteps will be right there, dried into the biggest canvases of the home, taunting you over your Rice Krispies. The surfaces to be painted must be patched, even, clean and primed. The surroundings and vulnerable details need to be protected, and we need plenty of room to work in and to safely reach out from any ladder. The actual painting is the relatively quick, satisfying bit, so surrender a couple of tedious hours to get the room ready before the fun starts.