Step 1: Choose the Right Paint. Most paint falls into two categories: water-based and oil-based. Water-based paint is easy to clean up, resistant to fading and works with different materials. Oil-based paint requires more cleanup and prep time, but works well for specialty jobs like painting wallpaper.

Accidentally choosing water-based paint over of an oil-based paint—or vice versa—won’t ruin your painting job. But mixing outdoor and indoor paint will negatively affect the outcome of your project. If you’re unsure which paint to use, ask an employee at your local hardware store.

Step 2: Prep Your Job. Many failed painting projects stem from a lack of preparation. Here’s how to prep like a pro:

• Lay down drop cloths. Set up drop cloths first. Spills, drips and dust are inevitable during a painting project.
• Spread your Spackle. Use Spackle or another paste product to fill in any holes or cracks in your wall.
• Sand the walls. Gently sand your wall before applying any paint or primer. A rough surface will help your paint stick to the wall.
• Prime the walls. Previously painted surfaces don’t need a primer. If you’re working with a raw or rough surface, such as concrete, wood, plaster or drywall, primer is necessary. After your primer has dried, sand it down before adding your finishing paint.
• Tape off no-paint zones. Use painter’s tape to cover areas you don’t want to paint, such as trim, outlets and molding. Run a putty knife over your tape to eliminate any air bubbles.
• Cutting in the corners. Cutting in means painting out several inches from your baseboards, window frames, outlets and door frames. Tackling hard-to-reach areas first will make it easier to paint larger areas later.

Step 3: Use the Right Tools. Before you begin painting, research the tools you’ll need to complete your project. If you’re painting an exterior, you’ll be covering a bigger area. Larger rollers and paint sprayers will help you cover wider areas in less time. Outdoor painting also requires flat and angled brushes for cutting in and covering tight spaces. For indoor jobs, use flat and angled brushes to cut in tight spaces and smaller rollers to cover walls.

Step 4: Paint the Right Way. Begin in the middle of your ceiling and move outward, painting from side to side. After your ceiling is dry, cut in around the ceiling line, windows, doors and moldings. Then, use your roller to paint the rest of your walls.