Tips for first-timer attempting decorating at half-term, please!

[MamOfTwo]

I am going to attempt some decorating this half term. I want to do our small hallway and bathroom. Please can you give a first-timer your best tips - ie What prep do I need to do? How many coats should I do? Is a brush or roller best? How can I prevent mucking it up so we end up having to call someone in to re-do it and sort out the mess?! So far, I have slapped some tester paints on the walls in order to choose the colour. Any advice appreciated!

I always use dulux endurance paint - you can have it colour mixed - or trade diamond matt if you want white. Great coverage and wipeable. Get a brush for cutting in edges and roller the rest. Get lots of wet wipes they clean up any spills and clean hands etc. buy cheap trays and rollers and just chuck after using them. If you have gloss woodwork to cover get some Zinsser BIN primer it saves you sanding so then you can use water based satin paint instead of gloss. Gloss is evil and impossible to remove or clean up, and anyway it goes yellow. Then just whack the paint on! It's easier than you think. Always looks awful when done first coat but then miraculously dries ok and great after second coat! Good luck