Want to save big money and improve the quality of your life?  Paint a room in your home.  It takes less time than you think to do it right.  Getting a room painted can cost several hundred dollars.  DIYers can do it for well under $100. 

Part I will cover doing the ceiling-- they are pretty easy.  Part II will cover the walls.  Part III will cover the trim.

Here's what you need (Some items are one time purchases):

• 2-3 9x12 drop clothes (old sheets will do)
• 1 disposable roller, pan, and brush kit
• 3 disposable pan liners
• 1 6' stick for the roller
• 2 extra roller covers
• 1 3-brush set (will likely include 1", 2", and 3" brushes)
• 1 border paint pad
• 1 container of spackle
• 1 3-putty knife set
• 2 sandpaper pads (course and fine)
• 1 roll of 1" painter's tape
• 6 rags
• 1 painter's cap
• 3 pairs of gloves
• 3 dust masks
• 1 caulk gun and caulk
• 1 gallon of primer
• 1 gallon of ceiling paint
• 1 can of Oops
• 1 step ladder

Here is what to do:

• Move furniture if needed
• Cover furniture and floor
• Use putty knives and spackle to fill holes and cracks
• Let dry for 1-2 hours
• Gently sand spackle areas smooth-- start with course and switch to fine
• Use roller to apply primer over any area that was spackled or stained
• Allow to dry for 1 hour
• Use the border paint pad or 3" brush to apply paint to the point where the ceiling and the walls meet- you are making a "frame"
• Use the roller on a stick to start rolling paint on the ceiling-- work in one direction and go up and down on the narrow
• Work quickly check from different angles to be sure you are covering everything
• Allow to dry 4-8 hours and store tray with roller in a plastic bag that is tied or taped shut to hold in moisture
• When dry-- check there are no "misses" if so do touch ups
• You are done

Now you are ready for Part II . . .

[I have a painting project planned for later in the summer-- I will add pictures to this post at that time.]

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