When you make purchases through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
How to use a paint roller seems simple. But in fact, there is more to this than meets the eye. Once you master the art of painting walls with a paint roller, decorating your home will be a breeze. But first, according to our experts, there are a few things you need to know.
Don’t start doing this without any preparation as it could lead to a DIY disaster. In fact, the most common mistake when using a paint roller is digging it too deep into the paint, which can result in your wall dripping with dirt or, worse, an uneven wall splattered with paint.
So, to avoid this (or other) mistakes, follow our simple, expert-approved guide on how to paint a room with a paint roller.
The first thing you need to do is choose a paint roller that matches the texture of your wall. “You can choose the right roller by assessing the surface you want to paint,” advises Mandy Rippon, product manager at French Paint. “If the surface is rough you will need a thicker roller, if the surface is smooth you will need a thinner surface.
Once you have your roller, tray and paint, it’s time to pour the paint into the tray. But it is important to know how much paint to pour. Pat Gilham, painting and decorating expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, the UK’s leading industry sourcing site, advises: “Pour paint into the roller tray until it is about half full.”
The next step is perhaps the most important because the mistake most people make is saturating the roller with paint.
“The goal is to fill the roller with paint, but not so much that it drips,” Mandy begins.
Pat continues, “Take a roller and drag a large amount of paint onto the pallet ramp. Push the roller down the ramp in small, quick movements. the paint flows back into the tray reservoir.
Instead, people often get carried away, which leads to failure. “A common mistake is to push the roller too deeply into the paint. Paint can get inside the sleeve and splash out as you ride, creating a mess and unevenly painted walls,” explains Pat. Nobody wants this.
Pat Gilham has worked as a freelance artist and decorator for over 20 years, specializing in home improvement projects. He has also worked closely with MyJobQuote over the past 4 years, providing expert commentary and analysis, and has been published in a number of leading industry publications and news outlets.
When painting with a roller, there are several different tips, tricks, and painting ideas that can help you achieve a smooth finish on your walls.
First of all, don’t rush. “Painting takes longer than most people realize, so it’s easy to fall into the trap of rushing. Try not to do this as you may miss spots or end up with an uneven layer. Stay resilient,” says Mandy.
Mandy says another common mistake is not mixing. “Try to blend the edges of each roll so you don’t leave any noticeable marks. You can do this by overlapping and smoothing the edges of the previous roll of paint while it is still wet.
Experts advise starting any painting project by trimming the edges of the wall with a brush before using a paint roller.
“Before you start rolling, use a brush to cut into the edges of the wall,” advises Pat. “Load the paint roller properly and work methodically to achieve an even finish. Start in the middle of the wall and slowly move up and down to the edges. This will push excess paint from the newly loaded roller outward. Press down leaving an even layer. Do not start the roller at the edges as how the excess paint will be pushed into the corners beyond the neat cut line.
Now you understand it. Here are the basics of roller painting, and that’s all you need to achieve an evenly painted wall.
Sarah Hesikova has been a news writer for Ideal Home since July 2023, bringing Ideal Home readers the latest news from the world of home and interior design. She graduated from London College of Fashion with a BA in Fashion Journalism in 2016 and initially worked as a writer and editor for niche fashion and lifestyle magazines such as Glass and Alvar before moving into interior design. She feels the two are inextricably linked: if someone puts effort into what they wear, they likely care about what’s around them, too.
When it comes to furnishing your guest room, less is more, and a smart approach can look smart.
Ideal Home is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate website. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. Company registration number in England and Wales is 2008885.
Post time: Dec-28-2023