Getting a room ready for the painters
By Pro Install Greg · Updated · 3 min read
Clear small items, wall art and anything fragile from the room, give the crew a clear path to the walls, and settle on colors and sheens before the start date. Leave the heavy furniture, the drop cloths and the taping to the painters; moving large pieces and protecting your floors is part of the job.
Key takeaways
- Take down wall art, curtains and small décor yourself; painters move and cover the large furniture.
- Final colors and sheens should be chosen before the start date, because a mid-job change can cost a day.
- Patching, caulking and sanding happen before paint and often take as long as the painting itself.
- Point out walls with water stains, cracks or mold so they are fixed rather than painted over.
- Paint is dry within hours but keeps curing for weeks, so wait before scrubbing the new walls.
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The week before
- Test your colors. Paint samples on two different walls and look at them in morning and evening light before committing.
- Decide the sheen for walls, trim and ceilings. Our guide to paint sheen by room covers what holds up where.
- Agree on who buys the paint, and in which product line.
- Make a list of problem spots: water stains, cracks, nail pops, peeling patches.
The day before
- Remove small items, valuables, electronics and anything breakable from the room.
- Take down wall art, mirrors, curtains and curtain rods.
- Clear a path to every wall and leave the large furniture where it is.
- Plan where pets will be while doors are open and paint is wet.
- Make sure the crew has parking and access to the rooms being painted.
Who does what
| Task | Who handles it |
|---|---|
| Removing art, curtains and small décor | You |
| Choosing colors and sheens | You |
| Moving and covering large furniture | The painters |
| Protecting floors and fixtures | The painters |
| Removing switch plates and outlet covers | The painters |
| Patching, caulking, sanding and priming | The painters |
After the last coat
Latex paint is dry to the touch within hours, but it keeps curing for weeks. Wait before scrubbing the walls or pushing furniture tight against them, and rehang art once the walls are fully dry. Keep the leftover paint labeled by room for touch-ups.
If you would rather hand the whole thing over, including the prep, that is how every interior painting job we quote works.
