How to paint a wall: a step-by-step guide

Whether you’re refreshing a single room or redecorating your entire home, knowing how to paint a wall properly makes all the difference to the finished result.

From preparing your surfaces to cutting in, rolling and applying a second coat, we’ve brought together our practical advice for achieving a beautiful, even finish with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.

What you’ll need

Before getting started, gather your equipment:

• Your chosen wall paint
• Paintbrushes and a suitable roller
• Paint tray
• Dust sheets
• Masking tape
• Filler and filling knife, if required
• Sandpaper
• Clean cloths or a soft brush for removing dust
• Suitable primer, where needed

Make sure you have enough paint for your project before beginning. Our paint calculator can help you estimate the quantity required.

Step 1: Prepare the room

Move furniture away from the walls or cover it with dust sheets, and protect the floor from splashes.

Remove pictures, hooks and other wall decorations. Where practical and safe, remove switch and socket faceplates or carefully mask around them.

Protect skirting boards, door frames and other surfaces you don’t intend to paint with suitable decorating tape.

Step 2: Prepare your walls

Good preparation is essential for achieving an even, lasting finish.

Check the surface for cracks, holes, flaking paint or other imperfections. Fill any damaged areas using a suitable filler and allow it to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Sand repaired areas smooth, then remove any dust and dirt before painting.

If you’re painting new plaster, previously painted walls or another specialist surface, check whether a primer is required. Our technical data sheets provide guidance on preparation and suitable products.

Step 3: Stir your paint thoroughly

Before painting, stir the paint thoroughly to ensure the ingredients and pigments are evenly distributed.

Pour a manageable amount into a paint tray and load your brush or roller evenly, avoiding excess paint that could cause drips.

Step 4: Cut in around the edges

Cutting in is the technique of using a brush to paint areas that are difficult to reach with a roller, such as corners and the edges where walls meet ceilings or woodwork.

Using a suitable brush, carefully apply paint along these edges, working in manageable sections.

For larger walls, it’s best to cut in as you go rather than completing the entire room first. This helps the brushed areas blend with the rolled paint while both are still wet.

Step 5: Roll the first coat

Once you’ve cut in around a section, use your roller to cover the larger area of the wall.

Load the roller evenly and apply the paint in a consistent pattern, spreading it across the surface without pressing too hard.

Work systematically across the wall, slightly overlapping each section to maintain a wet edge.

What does maintaining a wet edge mean?

A wet edge is the area of freshly applied paint that hasn’t yet begun to dry.

By overlapping new paint with the previous section while it’s still wet, you can help prevent visible lap marks or uneven patches.

Avoid stopping halfway across a wall wherever possible, and don’t repeatedly roll over paint that has already started to dry.

Step 6: Allow the first coat to dry

Once you’ve completed the first coat, allow the paint to dry for the period specified in the relevant product instructions before recoating.

Drying times can vary depending on the finish, temperature, humidity and ventilation.

When the paint is ready for recoating, inspect the surface for any imperfections. If necessary, lightly smooth small rough areas and remove the dust before continuing.

Step 7: Apply the second coat

Most Edward Bulmer Natural Paint wall finishes typically achieve the desired coverage in two coats when applied to a suitably prepared surface.

Apply the second coat using the same method: cutting in around the edges and rolling the larger areas while maintaining a wet edge.

Some surfaces or colours may require additional preparation or coats, so always refer to the relevant technical data sheet.

Step 8: Clean your equipment and finish the room

Once you’ve finished painting, remove as much excess paint as possible from your brushes and rollers before cleaning them according to the product instructions.

For water-based paints, use water to clean suitable equipment, collecting paint residue and wash water for appropriate disposal. Never pour paint-contaminated water into surface drains or onto soil or plants.

Carefully remove masking tape in accordance with the tape manufacturer’s guidance, taking care not to damage the painted edges.

Allow the paint to dry and cure as directed before moving furniture back against the walls or cleaning the painted surface.

A few final painting tips

Test your colours first. Natural and artificial light can change how a colour appears throughout the day. We recommend trying samples in your room before making a final decision.

Choose the right finish. Different surfaces and rooms may require different paint finishes, so check the product guidance before ordering.

Work in good lighting. Painting in daylight, where possible, can make it easier to spot missed areas and maintain an even application.

Allow enough time. Rushing preparation or recoating before the paint is ready can affect the finished result.

Ready to start painting?

Explore our natural paint colours and use our paint calculator to work out how much paint you’ll need.

If you’re unsure which colour or finish is right for your project, our Colour Consultants are here to help.