Okay, So You Wanna Paint Like a Pro?

Let me tell you something right off the bat: learning how to paint like a pro is nothing like what Instagram Reels make it look like. There’s no upbeat music, no mess-free finishes, and definitely no cute outfit that stays clean. My first attempt? Looked like a Smurf exploded in my hallway.

But if you’re a beginner or a hardcore DIY enthusiast who’s itching to give your space a fresh coat—and maybe your ego a few scratches—I got you.

Also, yes, I’m speaking from very real, very blue-tinted experience.

The First Time I Painted a Wall (And Cried a Little)

So, I had this idea. Just a tiny one. Repaint my entire living room because I was tired of the “beige that used to be white” vibe.

Simple, right?

Wrong.

I went to the hardware store thinking I’d be in and out. But 45 minutes later, I’m still standing in front of the wall of paint samples, frozen. Do I want “Misty Dewdrop” or “Gentle Fog?” Like—what does that even mean??

Anyway, I settled on “Ocean Whisper” (which sounds like a candle, not a color) and skipped home with a gallon of paint and exactly zero brushes. Because apparently, I thought the paint would just leap onto the wall.

🎯 Real Talk: Things I Wish I Knew Before Picking Up a Brush

1. Prep is 80% of the Game (No, Seriously)

Here’s a hot tip no one told me until it was way too late: tape is your best friend.

Like, the kind of friend who warns you when your fly is down or when you have spinach in your teeth.

Spend the time to:

  • Tape off your trim, outlets, and baseboards.
  • Lay down plastic or canvas on your floor (old bedsheets will betray you).
  • Patch up nail holes or random wall bumps (I ignored one and now it looks like my wall has a nose).

And for the love of all things level, clean your walls first. I know it sounds dumb. But I painted over some toddler handprints once and now I have forever ghosts on my wall.

🖌️ Choosing the Right Tools (aka Don’t Be Cheap Like Me)

I thought I was being smart buying the $1 brush. You know what I got? A trail of brush hairs embedded in my wall like modern art.

Here’s what actually works:

  • A good angled brush for corners and trim (2” works great)
  • A roller with a medium nap if your walls are average (and mine are nothing if not aggressively average)
  • Extension pole — so you don’t break your neck reaching the top
  • A paint tray liner – because scrubbing dried paint out of a tray is a new form of torture

Also: get a stir stick. Don’t be like me and use a spoon. I’m still explaining that one to my spouse.

Let’s Talk Technique (aka “Why Are There Streaks?”)

I made the mistake of just going at it like a wild raccoon—no plan, just pure vibes.

Here’s what the pros (aka the guy at Home Depot who felt sorry for me) actually do:

The “W” Method

You roll your paint on in a big “W” shape, then fill it in without lifting the roller. Why? It spreads paint more evenly and doesn’t leave “roller tracks” (yep, those are real).

Also, don’t overload the roller—unless you like splatter freckles.

And don’t go back and forth a hundred times over the same spot. You’re not blending eyeshadow, friend.

Dry Time: The Universe’s Test of Patience

No, you can’t just do one coat and call it a day. I tried. Regretted it.

Give it at least 2–4 hours to dry (depending on humidity) before you do another coat.

And don’t touch it “just to see” if it’s dry. That’s how you end up with fingerprints in your “Ocean Whisper.”

Pro tip I learned the second time around: do your painting in the morning. That way you’re not sitting around at 10 p.m. with one wall painted and the existential dread of knowing you have to finish the second coat before bed.

Stuff You’re Gonna Forget but Shouldn’t

Here’s a quick list of things I forgot and ended up needing mid-project:

  • A ladder (my dining chair is still recovering)
  • Rags for drips or “oopsies”
  • Screwdriver to remove outlet covers (they do NOT mix well with paint)
  • Snacks (seriously—painting makes you hangry)
  • Music or a podcast (unless you wanna spiral into your own thoughts)

Aftercare (Like Skincare, But for Walls)

So you’ve finished painting, you’re proud, you’re sweaty, you’re maybe covered in paint in places you didn’t know could get paint.

Now what?

  • Carefully peel off the tape while the last coat is still a little damp. Otherwise, it peels the paint right off and then…we cry.
  • Clean your brushes and rollers right away if you plan to reuse them. If not? Trash them. Don’t be a hoarder of crusty tools.
  • Admire your work. Take photos. Brag to your group chat.
  • And if you messed up? Touch-up paint is your best friend. Or dim lighting. Both work.

Final Thoughts about how to paint like a pro

Listen—I am not a professional painter. I’m just a very stubborn person who thought, “How hard can this be?” and then immediately discovered…pretty hard.

But also kinda therapeutic?

There’s something wild and satisfying about watching a space transform with just a few coats of paint. It’s like giving your room a personality refresh. Like, “Hey, look at me, I have taste now!”

So if you’re a beginner or just a DIY enthusiast chasing that HGTV high—go for it. Just maybe don’t wear your favorite hoodie.

And don’t use “Ocean Whisper.” It’s a liar. https://kohopoho.com/decluttering-tips-for-your-home/.

Wanna Read More about how to paint like a pro?

I weirdly love home projects now. Check out my chaotic but satisfying post on DIY Furniture Makeovers, where I turned an old dresser into a piece of…something. Still not sure what.

Also, if you wanna see someone really lose their mind trying to stencil a wall, this post on Stenciling Gone Wrong had me crying laughing.

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