Reviewed by Nathan Reid
Nathan Reid is a painting and decorating manager with 10 years of experience delivering high-quality interior and exterior finishes for homeowners and businesses...
Whether you're giving a tired room a fresh coat of paint or completely transforming your living space, decorating is one of the most rewarding home improvement projects you can take on. The good news is that you don't need years of experience to achieve professional-looking results.
The difference between an average finish and an excellent one often comes down to preparation, using the right tools and knowing a few tried-and-tested decorating techniques. With a little planning and some expert advice, you can save time, avoid common mistakes and create a finish you'll be proud of.
Here are some of the best home decorating hacks, tips and tricks to help make your next project smoother from start to finish.
Plan Before You Pick Up a Paintbrush
One of the biggest mistakes DIY decorators make is rushing straight into painting. Spending a little extra time planning can save hours of frustration later.
Work Out How Much Paint You'll Need
Running out halfway through a wall can lead to colour variations if you have to buy another batch. Measure your room first and use the manufacturer's coverage guide to calculate how much paint you'll need.
Buying slightly more than you think you'll need also means you'll have some left for future touch-ups.
Test Colours in Different Lighting
Paint rarely looks the same throughout the day. Natural daylight, evening lighting and even the direction a room faces can all affect how a colour appears.
Paint a sample onto different walls and check it in the morning, afternoon and evening before making your final decision.
Gather Everything Before You Start
Nothing slows a decorating project down like stopping halfway through to buy more masking tape or another roller sleeve.
Preparation Hacks That Save Hours
Professional decorators will often tell you that preparation is where the real work happens.
Clean Your Walls First
Even walls that look clean often have invisible grease, dust and grime that can affect paint adhesion.
A quick wipe down with sugar soap or a suitable cleaning solution creates a much better surface for painting.
Fill Imperfections Before Painting
Small cracks, dents and screw holes become far more noticeable once fresh paint has been applied.
Fill any imperfections, allow the filler to dry completely and sand smooth before reaching for your paintbrush.
Sand Between Coats
If you're looking for a smoother finish, lightly sanding between coats is one of the easiest ways to improve the final appearance.
Use a fine-grade sandpaper and remove all dust before applying your next coat.
Don't Forget the Caulk
Applying decorator's caulk around skirting boards, window frames and architraves creates crisp, professional-looking lines while hiding small gaps that paint alone won't disguise.
Painting Tips the Professionals Use
These simple techniques can make decorating quicker while producing a noticeably better finish.
Start at the Top
Always paint ceilings before walls and walls before skirting boards and woodwork. This prevents drips from spoiling freshly painted surfaces.
Cut In First
Use a quality brush to paint around ceilings, corners, sockets and woodwork before using your roller on the larger areas. Working in sections helps the brushed edges blend seamlessly into the rolled paint.
Roll in a W Pattern
Rather than painting in straight vertical lines, roll the paint in a loose W or M pattern before filling in the gaps. This helps distribute the paint evenly and reduces visible roller marks.
Keep a Wet Edge
Avoid letting one section dry before painting the next. Keeping a wet edge helps eliminate lap marks and creates a more consistent finish.
Wrap Brushes During Breaks
Stopping for lunch? Wrap your brushes and rollers in cling film or place them inside a sealed plastic bag to prevent the paint drying out. It saves both time and unnecessary cleaning.
Remove Masking Tape Before the Paint Fully Dries
Peeling tape away while the paint is still slightly soft helps create cleaner edges and reduces the chance of pulling dried paint away from the wall.
Wallpapering Tips That Reduce Frustration
Wallpaper can completely transform a room, but careful preparation is essential.
Some of the simplest ways to achieve better results include:
- Measure every drop carefully before cutting.
- Use a plumb line rather than relying on corners being perfectly straight.
- Smooth wallpaper from the centre outwards to remove air bubbles.
- Wipe away excess adhesive immediately.
- Match patterns before applying adhesive.
Taking your time during the first drop often makes the rest of the job much easier.
Decorating Small Rooms Like a Professional
You don't always need structural changes to make a room feel bigger.
Try these decorating tricks:
- Choose lighter paint colours to reflect natural light.
- Paint ceilings in lighter shades to create a greater sense of height.
- Use mirrors to bounce light around the room.
- Avoid cluttering walls with too many decorative features.
- Select the appropriate paint finish for each room to balance durability with appearance.
Small decorating decisions can have a surprisingly large impact on how spacious a room feels.
Final Thoughts
The best decorating results rarely come from rushing the job. Instead, they're achieved through careful preparation, quality materials and simple techniques that improve both efficiency and the final finish.
Whether you're refreshing a bedroom, updating your living room or giving your entire home a new look, taking the time to prepare properly and using the right decorating tools will help you achieve results that last.
At MP Moran, you'll find a wide range of decorating supplies, paints, tools and accessories to help you complete every project with confidence. Whether you're tackling your first DIY makeover or adding the finishing touches to a larger renovation, our experienced team is always on hand to help you choose the right products for the job.
Our experts continually monitor the building and construction industry, and we update our articles when new products, regulations, or best practices become available.
Current Version
Jul 24, 2026
Reviewed By
Nathan Reid, Painting & Decorating Manager