How to Prep a Room for Paint

In this video, get a quality drop cloth to protect furniture and fixtures from paint splatter.

TIP 1: Save furniture from paint splatter and spills by covering everything.

TIP 2: Choose a quality drop cloth. A plastic sheet is slippery underfoot. Cloth or canvas without a liner will let paint seep through. The best choice is a material cloth with a liner on one side; the cloth is a less slippery surface, and the liner will keep paint from getting to the floor.

TIP 3: Remove or tape around the decorative escutcheon on a light or doorknob, and cover the piece with a rag or a bag to protect it from paint splatter.

See the rest of the Beyond the Basics: Painting series:

1. How to Pick a Paint
2. How to Choose a Primer
3. How to Pick a Paintbrush
4. How to Choose a Roller
5. How to Prep A Room for Paint
6. How to Prep Walls for Paint
7. How to Use a Paint Brush
8. How to Roll Paint Onto a Wall
9. How to Clean a Paint Brush
10. How to Clean a Paint Roller