15 Insanely Helpful Painting Hacks You Need!

This post is about painting hacks.

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Painting a room can completely transform your space, but without the right tricks, it can also turn into a messy, time-consuming project. That's where the painting hacks come in! 

Whether you're a beginner picking up a paintbrush for the first time or an experienced DIYer looking to level up your results, these hacks will save you time and frustration! Each hack is designed to make you paint like a pro without the stress!

This post is about painting hacks.

Painting Hacks for Beginners

Start with the Right Primer

If you're new to painting, don't skip primer! Primer helps hide all the imperfections while also helping paint adhere better. Priming first means your top coat will look smoother and more even. This is one of the easiest painting hacks for beginners that instantly improves results.

Use Froggy Painter's Tape

Frog painters tape is your best friend for crisp lines between walls, trim, and ceilings. To make it extra effective, press it down firmly with a putty knife so no paint seeps underneath. After painting, remove the tape while the paint is still slightly wet to prevent peeling. This method ensures your painting hacks for edges game is strong and avoids messy touch-ups later. It's a simple, inexpensive, and perfect for anyone learning to paint a room for the first time.

Invest in Quality Brushes & Rollers

Cheap brushes shed bristles and can leave streaks. This can result in your walls looking uneven. A quality 2-inch angled brush is perfect for cutting in, and a good roller cover will hold more paint, meaning fewer trips to the tray. Wash and dry them properly to reuse on future projects. Good tools are a beginner's best shortcut to a professional finish. 

Sample Paint in Multiple Rooms

It's super important to put sample paint in different rooms because it will all look different. Whether your room faces North, South, East, or West, this impacts it significantly. Make sure to test it out to know you are confident in your choice of color.

Practice on a Small Space First

Practice makes perfect! Before tackling your entire living room, test your skills on a smaller wall or even a closet. This helps you get comfortable with brush stokes, rolling techniques, and drying times. Small scale practice means fewer mistakes on you big project! It's also a great way to test out paint colors before committing.

Painting Hacks for Trim & Edges

Seal Frog Painter's Tape with Base Color

Once you tape the edge, brush on a thin layer of the wall's base color over the tape before applying your trim color. This seals the edge so the trim color won't bleed underneath. It's a pro-level painting hack for trim that beginners can easily master too! This result will provide sharp and clean edges every time.

Sand Between Coats for a Smooth Finish

If you notice any dirt or bumps, lightly sanding trim between coats removes them. Use fine-grit sandpaper and wipe clean before repainting. This small step creates that glass-like trim finish you see in model homes. It's a simple but effective painting hack.

Use a Trim Guard Instead of Tape

A trim guard is a flat metal or plastic shield that you hold against edges as you paint. It's perfect for quick painting hacks for edges without waiting for tape. Just wipe it clean between passes to prevent smears. Great for window frames, baseboards, and door edges!

Looking for other DIYs?

Paint Trim Before Walls

Many people do walls first, but painting trim first can actually save time. You can be less precise while doing trim and can cut in neatly when doing the wall. It's one of those painting hacks for edges that helps you work faster and cleaner.

Use an Angled Brush for Precision

A high-quality angled sash brush gives you more control around edges and corners. Dip only the tip in the paint and work slowly. This is especially helpful for painting hacks cutting in where you want maximum accuracy without tape.

Painting Hacks for Walls & Large Surfaces

Use Larger Rollers

Using larger rollers for walls and big surfaces helps you cover more area in less time, making painting much faster. The wider roller holds more paint, so you don't have to reload as often. This will also keep your strokes smooth and consistent. They are especially useful for achieving a professional, streak-free finish on large, flat walls.

Use an Extension Pole

Instead of climbing up and down a ladder, attach your roller to an extension pole. It saves you time and reduces fatigue. This will also help you maintain that "wet edge" technique. This is especially important for large surfaces where speed matters. 

Work in a W Pattern

Roll paint onto the wall in a W shape, then fill in the gaps without lifting the roller. This spreads paint evenly and prevents roller marks. It's such an easy hack that will make painting large surfaces so much easier.

Prep Surfaces for Better Adhesion

Wipe walls with a damp cloth to remove dust before painting. For glossy walls, lightly sand first. Good prep means your paint sticks better, looks smoother, and lasts longer. This is often overlooked, but it's worth it!

Wrap Rollers Between Coats

If you need a break, wrap your roller tightly in plastic wrap or a plastic bag. This keep the paint from drying out and saves you from washing tools mid-project. It's a great hack that everyone loves!

This post was about painting hacks.

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