painting...I haven't got a clue!

[Timeforaswim]

A few quick questions from a complete novice in home decoration.....

I want to paint my hallway...it is white and I just want to refresh it...can I literally paint over with more white or do I need to wash walls/sand them/er anything?And with doors and skirting boards, would I use a gloss white? Do they need sanding?

Equally my bedroom....I hate the colour (ironically it's mumsnet green) I want it to be a lovely cream colour....can I just paint over...presumably I'd need to do two coats and then it would be fine?

Is is possible to do it myself if I've never done anything like this before and um as you can tell, haven't got a clue what I'm doing....
And thank you for any help and advice....

I've always done my own decorating 💪🏻

Step 1 - fill any holes from picture nails with easi fill - you can get a small box from b&q and mix it up like pancake mix.

Step 2 - once the easi fill has dried light sand back

Step 3 - decorators caulk - in a gun from b&q any gaps at edges of wall junctions or around windows

Step 3 - depending on current wall colour you might need to base coat it first if not go straight to your new colour - I usually start with a brush doing along skirtings and coving/ceiling line to get a nice straight edge then roller the middle. Repeat again with 2nd coat

Step 4 - skirtings and door frames - i always use water based egg shell mid Sheen - not gloss - oil based as a tendency to yellow and also a nightmare to clean up brushes and yourself

Finally - step back and admire 😃

What @mybunniesandme said - except that before Step 3 give the walls a wash. Make up a bucket of warm water and sugar soap, dip a rag in, wring it out so it's damp not dripping, and wipe over the walls. This get rids of any dirt/grease which can stop the paint taking properly, and washes off any dust, which can cause bubbling in your new paint layer.

Agree with pp with regards to gloss. I massively regretted painting my skirting boards with it. Turned a horrible yellow. I prefer satinwood now.

Painting is surprisingly easy by the way. I taught myself and have done a few rooms. The prep is the time consuming part.

you are both so kind..thank you.
And um...realistically how long to paint one average size bedroom?? ie...it fits a double bed, chest of drawers and has two built in cupboards and a bedside table...

Took me three days to paint my dds bedroom...it's a small double. I am slow though and could only do it during the time she was at school, plus I took time out to do housework and laundry etc. I could have done it in a day easily if I hadn't done anything else.

You're all brilliant...I'm going to start on friday...very grateful for all your tips. And hey...what's the worst that can happen?!! Eeek!

Day 1 prep

Day 2 If you did the first coat in the morning and second in the evening

Day 3 eggshell paint

This lady decorator has lots of videos with all sorts of tips. We’ve always decorated our own houses but,even after 20 odd years of owning & decorating 4 different houses, we have learnt some great tricks off her.

vm.tiktok.com/ZMY59JT3N/