Do you paint the walls or the baseboards first?

Author: Carli D'Amore I  |  Last update: Monday, August 25, 2025

Do you paint walls or trim first? From a professional point of view, with interior painting, it makes the most sense to paint your trim first, then ceilings, and then your walls. It's much easier and faster to tape off trim than to tape off your walls.

Is it better to paint baseboards or walls first?

Generally speaking it's always best to prep the trim before painting the walls. This means caulking the gaps, filling the pin holes, sanding and vacuuming the dust prior to painting. Some painters choose to paint the trim first, and then finish with the walls.

What is the correct order to paint a room?

What is the correct order to paint a room? When painting a room, I recommend starting with the ceiling, followed by baseboard and window trim, and finishing with the walls. This sequence allows for less precision with ceiling and trim paint, as any imperfections can be covered when cutting in with the wall paint.

When painting, which is the correct order?

Start with the ceiling

We recommend you start your decorating project at the top and work your way down. Taking this approach will allow you to avoid dripping any paint onto freshly painted areas. Before you start painting, clean your ceiling, fill any holes or cracks and sand it.

In what order do you paint a kitchen?

Start from the top. As with any room, start painting your kitchen from the ceiling down, so that any paint drips don't fall onto freshly painted surfaces. For ceilings and walls, use a kitchen paint as these are hard-wearing and designed to be wiped down easily.

What should I Paint First Walls or Trim. Do I paint walls or trim first is a common question

What is the correct way to paint kitchen cabinets?

  1. Step 1: Gather painting supplies. ...
  2. Step 2: Remove cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. ...
  3. Step 3: Clean the cabinetry. ...
  4. Step 4: Use wood filler to repair scuffs and nicks. ...
  5. Step 5: Sand the cabinet doors. ...
  6. Step 6: Apply a coat of primer. ...
  7. Step 7: Sand the cabinet doors again. ...
  8. Step 8: Paint the kitchen cabinets.

What order should I do my kitchen in?

Time to remodel
  1. Determine where lighting, electrical outlets, sinks, and appliances will be placed and upgrade the wiring and plumbing to accommodate everything.
  2. Install insulation and drywall.
  3. Paint the walls and ceiling.
  4. Install the flooring.
  5. Install the cabinetry and countertops.
  6. Install the sink(s) and faucets.

What is the correct sequence of painting?

Paint the Ceiling First

Cut-in the ceiling to walls or crown molding. Keep the brush wet and avoid working with a dry brush. If the adjacent surfaces (walls or crown molding) are to be painted, overlap the ceiling paint onto that surface. Be sure to feather out any brush marks before they dry.

What is the 1 3 rule in painting?

The rule of thirds means that the subject isn't centered; rather, the main focal point can be to one side or at the top or bottom of the image. It's a tool to help artists draw the viewer's eye into the composition, rather than just glancing at the center.

Do I paint walls or woodwork first?

You should paint your walls first and your skirting boards last.

Can you cut in one day and paint the next?

Cut-in and painting on the same day are recommended for the best results.

How much does it cost to paint the interior of a 1500 square foot house?

The cost to paint a 1,500 square-foot double-story home will average between $6,000 to $21,000 depending on the size of all floors. The price may vary if your 2nd floor is smaller than the ground floor.

What goes before painting walls?

How to prepare a room for painting
  • Make space. Remove as much of your furniture as you can. ...
  • Inspect your walls for any damage. Start by inspecting your walls carefully. ...
  • If there is damage, repair it. ...
  • Sand. ...
  • Clean your walls. ...
  • Let the walls dry. ...
  • Clean up any mess. ...
  • You're ready to paint!

Do you roll or cut in first when painting?

Always cut in first then continue painting with a roller. Cut in and paint with a roller one wall at a time. If you cut in all areas first and then roll the entire room, the paint that was applied when cutting in will have dried quicker and you will be left with a patchy, uneven finish.

How long after painting trim can I tape it?

You should wait at least 24 hours before applying tape to a freshly painted surface, and choose a tape designed specifically for this application, such as Scotch® Delicate Surface Painter's Tape.

Do you paint before installing baseboards?

Most professionals will recommend you paint the walls (and ceilings) before you install baseboards. However, it can be done either way and may vary based on your project. If the baseboard is already installed: Answer: Paint the baseboards first.

What is the 80 20 rule in painting?

Applying the 80/20 Rule to Your Work Time. Here's what we found out: If you are willing to allocate 80% of your time towards your craft, and 20% of your time towards the marketing & business, you will be doing what the most successful artists and photographers do.

What are golden rules in painting?

Rule #1 – Paint what you love. Rule #2 – Paint not only what you know but what you feel. Give yourself permission to paint it your way. Rule #3 – When painting outdoors do not rush into it.

What is the 3 second rule in the paint?

In-depth definition of the 3-second rule

The rule states that once a player has established a position in the restricted area, they are not allowed to remain there for more than three consecutive seconds unless they are preparing to shoot or pass.

What order do professional painters paint?

The Best Order to Paint a Room
  • Ceilings. Paint a 2-inch wide strip on the ceiling where it meets the wall. ...
  • Walls. Paint a 2-inch strip along ceiling, floor and woodwork with a brush. ...
  • Woodwork. Paint all trim around doors, windows, ceilings and floor.
  • Floor. Start in a corner diagonally opposite the room exit.

Should you caulk before or after painting?

It is recommended to caulk before painting. Not only does unpainted caulk provide a less effective seal than painted caulk, but it tends to shrink, crack, and discolor over time, resulting in an unsightly finish.

Should I paint walls or trim first?

Do you paint walls or trim first? From a professional point of view, with interior painting, it makes the most sense to paint your trim first, then ceilings, and then your walls. It's much easier and faster to tape off trim than to tape off your walls. And you definitely don't want the hassle of taping them both.

What is the golden kitchen rule?

Rule 1: The Work Triangle

The “Work Triangle” – the triangle made by the stove, the sink and the refrigerator – should be compact enough that it allows convenient and effective circulation for the chef, but generous enough that two people working in the kitchen aren't bumping into one another.

Should you paint before or after cabinets?

So, if you're installing new cabinets, most professional house painters would prefer to do their work after the cabinets are installed. This is because the cabinet installation generally involves some bumping and scraping, and the new kitchen paint is likely to be messed up in the process if it is applied first.

What comes first in remodeling?

Demolition

It's the first major step in transforming your home, setting the stage for the construction to follow.

Previous article
How do I make my Caraway pan non-stick again?
Next article
How high off the floor should a dryer vent be?