Painting & decorating guides

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PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSCaulk gaps around skirting and architraveFill gaps where skirting and architrave meet the wall with caulk for a neat, draught-free finish in one afternoon.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 12 STEPSChoose the right paint for each surfacePick the right paint and prep for each surface in the room so it goes on evenly and lasts.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 10 STEPSClean and store brushes and rollersClean, dry and store paintbrushes and rollers properly so they last for years and are ready to use next time.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSClean up paint spills on carpet and floorsTreat paint spills on carpet or hard flooring fast, using the right method for wet or dried, water-based or oil-based paint.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSCover a water stain on a ceilingCheck the leak is fixed, seal the stain with a stain-blocking primer, then repaint to match.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 8 STEPSCover nicotine or smoke stainsWash down, seal with a stain-blocking primer, then repaint so nicotine and smoke stains stop bleeding through.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 10 STEPSCreate a limewash or colourwash effectApply a limewash or colourwash finish to a wall for a soft, mottled, aged look.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSCut in neatly where the wall meets the ceilingPaint a crisp, straight line where wall meets ceiling using masking, a sash brush, and a steady hand.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 10 STEPSDeal with old lead paint safelyTest old paint for lead, then contain, wet-strip and dispose of it safely without spreading toxic dust.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 8 STEPSDeal with paint that won't stick to siliconeStrip off silicone residue, seal the area with a stain-blocking primer, then repaint so the new coat finally bonds.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 12 STEPSDecorate a room in the right orderClear, repair, prime and paint a room in the correct order — ceiling, walls, then woodwork — for a smooth, lasting finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 11 STEPSFill cracks and holes before paintingRake out, fill and seal cracks and holes correctly for your wall type before painting, so repairs don't reopen.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 8 STEPSFix bubbles in wallpaperSlit the bubble, clean out old paste, glue the flap back down, then smooth it flat to dry.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 10 STEPSFix bubbling or blistering paintScrape back bubbling paint, find and fix the damp or heat causing it, then reprime and repaint properly.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSFix paint that stays tackyWork out why the paint won't dry, fix the conditions, remove it if needed, then repaint properly and let it cure.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSFix paint that's cracking or crazingSand back cracked or crazed paint, prime bare patches, then repaint in even coats for a smooth, lasting finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 11 STEPSFix patchy paintWork out why paint looks patchy, then reseal, mix and repaint evenly so the finish matches across the whole wall.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 11 STEPSFix peeling paint on a ceilingScrape away peeling ceiling paint, treat the cause, then prime and repaint for a smooth, lasting finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 10 STEPSGet a smooth finish without roller marksPrepare the surface properly, then roll in slow overlapping strokes keeping a wet edge to avoid ridges and roller marks.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 14 STEPSHang a wall muralPrepare your wall, plan the panels, then paste and smooth a wall mural into place for a clean, bubble-free finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 12 STEPSHang lining paperPrepare your walls properly, then hang lining paper from the top down for a smooth, even base before painting or wallpapering.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 14 STEPSHang paste-the-wall wallpaperPrep your walls properly, then paste and hang paste-the-wall wallpaper from a plumb line for a smooth, bubble-free finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 12 STEPSHang peel-and-stick wallpaperLearn to prep your wall, measure, cut and hang peel-and-stick wallpaper neatly, trimming tidily around sockets and switches.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 13 STEPSHang wallpaper on a flat wallStrip old paper, prepare the wall, then paste and hang new wallpaper neatly from ceiling to skirting.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 8 STEPSMask up with decorator's tape for crisp linesUse decorator's tape correctly to get sharp, clean paint lines along skirting, frames and switches.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 11 STEPSMatch a wallpaper patternHang wallpaper so the pattern lines up perfectly across every join, corner and switch in one room.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 11 STEPSPaint a bathroom so it stands up to steamClean, treat mould, reseal the bath edge, then paint with moisture-resistant paint for a steam-proof finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 12 STEPSPaint a ceilingPaint a ceiling in one session: clear the room, protect everything, fill cracks, then apply a mist coat and two topcoats.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSPaint a chalkboard or magnetic wallPaint a wall with chalkboard or magnetic paint for a fun, functional feature finished in one session.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 8 STEPSPaint a concrete floorClean, repair, prime and paint a concrete floor in stages, letting each coat dry fully before the next.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 10 STEPSPaint a feature wallPaint one wall a feature colour: prep, mask, prime if needed, then apply two even coats for a smart finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 11 STEPSPaint a fireplace or chimney breastPrepare, fill, mask and paint a chimney breast or fireplace surround, choosing primer and paint to suit brick, plaster or plasterboard.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSPaint a melamine or laminate surfaceClean, sand, prime and paint melamine or laminate surfaces so the paint bonds and lasts, start to finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSPaint a radiatorClean, sand, prime and repaint a radiator safely once it's off and fully cool, for a smooth, durable finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 13 STEPSPaint a staircase and spindlesClean, fill and paint your staircase and spindles in stages so you can still use the stairs safely.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 14 STEPSPaint a stairwell safelyPaint a stairwell safely by setting up secure access, protecting surfaces, and working top to bottom in the right order.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 10 STEPSPaint a textured or woodchip wallPrep, fill and paint a textured or woodchip wall safely, checking older coatings for asbestos before you start.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 10 STEPSPaint a wall with a rollerProtect the room, mask up, cut in the edges, then roller two even coats onto the wall.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSPaint an Artex ceilingClean, fill and paint a textured Artex ceiling safely, using a deep-pile roller and mist coat for even coverage.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSPaint an exposed brick wall indoorsClean, repair and paint exposed brick indoors with a breathable paint, protecting floors and edges for a neat finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 13 STEPSPaint an internal doorRemove door furniture, sand and clean the door, then apply primer, undercoat and two topcoats for a smooth finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSPaint around light switches and socketsLearn to switch off power safely, loosen switch and socket plates, and paint neatly behind them for a professional finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSPaint bare new woodSand bare new wood smooth, remove dust, then apply primer, undercoat and two topcoats for a lasting, even finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 9 STEPSPaint behind a radiatorPaint the wall behind a radiator without removing it, using a radiator roller and some careful masking.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 10 STEPSPaint copper heating pipesClean, prime and paint copper heating pipes safely with heat-resistant paint for a tidy, lasting finish.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 11 STEPSPaint door frames and architravePaint door frames and architrave cleanly, from prep and filling to masking, undercoat and two neat finish coats.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 10 STEPSPaint floorboardsClean, sand, prime and paint bare or tired floorboards for a hard-wearing, hygienic finish in one session.

PAINTING & DECORATING · 12 STEPSPaint kitchen cupboard doorsRemove, clean, sand, prime and paint kitchen cupboard doors in one session for a lasting new finish.