How to Paint a Room Faster – 6 Time-Saving DIY Tips

If you dread painting, this article is for you. We’ve compressed time-saving painting tips from across the web and professionals themselves to share the most efficient way to get the job done.

Read on to discover the secrets of the decorating trade that can save you hours on the tedious painting jobs around your home.

Use an Extra Wide Roller

For some people, an 18-inch-wide roller setup may not be ideal. Painters use them because they can cover twice the surface area of a standard 9-in. Roller.

For families who have a lot of big, unbroken surfaces and ceilings, investing in a large paint pail and 18-in. roller cage makes sense. You’ll definitely save a lot of time. 

Additionally, because the roller is supported on both sides rather than just one, you can apply consistent pressure and avoid roller scars left by paint buildup at the edge of the roller.

Most home improvement centers and paint stores sell 18-inch roller equipment.

Use a One-Coat Paint

It goes without saying that if you choose a one-coat wall paint, you’ll spend half the time painting. Not all one coat paints are designed equal though.

We suggest going for a chalk based matt one coat wall paint to get the best color pay-off. Gloss and satin varieties can dry with an uneven finish and require one or two additional coats. 

One coat paints usually cost a little more but the extra money is worth it if you’re looking to cut down on painting time and put your feet up faster.

Masking Tape Efficiency Trick

The key to effective masking is to keep the tape tight and straight against the wall. Here’s a helpful hint for making things easier. Stick approximately 6 inches of tape down on the skirting/corner.

Then, with the tape roll against the wall, unroll another 6 inches of tape. Repeat the procedure by lowering the roll until this portion of tape is secured. The key is to keep the roll of tape pressed against the wall.

It takes some practice to master this approach, so don’t give up yet. Once you’ve figured out how to tape like this, your speed and precision will improve dramatically.

Replace Roller Trays With Pails

Most homeowners have a paint tray that they use to roll walls, and if you’ve done a lot of painting, chances are you’ve stepped in or spilt it at least once.

Trays are also awkward to move around, especially when they’re packed with paint.

Pails are a wonderful tool for any interior decorator. They can hold considerably more paint than trays, making them ideal for homeowners as well as professionals.

To line the pail, use a piece of thin painter’s plastic. To keep the plastic in place, attach with masking tape and drape it into the pail. Add your paint into the pail, dip your roller in and use the slides to remove access before painting.

Choose a Shed-Resistant Roller

If you’re picky about how your walls look after they’ve been painted, you’ll want to find a solution for the roller fuzzies. Look for rollers called “shed resistant woven.” They’re a bit more expensive than other covers, but the lint-free, shiny surface is well worth the investment.

It means less time picking fluff off your wall / trying to cover the textured finish with yet another coat of paint.

Better Flooring Protection

Cloths can be a hassle. They take a while to put down in the right position, and during the job, they bunch up, and slip on hard flooring. You’re lucky if you haven’t tripped on layers of overlapping drop cloths.

Instead, buy a large roll of rosin paper. A roll of 3-ft.-wide heavy masking paper costs about $12. Roll it out and use masking tape to secure it to the molding/overlap, and tape the paper together to fill large areas.

It may take a little longer to put down upfront, but the time will be saved when you don’t have to adjust the cloth against the skirting constantly or move them around.