How to Paint a Room — A Practical Guide for Irish Homes

Gather all your tools first to avoid delays. You'll need:

• Paint (2.5–5L for average room)
• Roller and tray
• Angled brush for cutting in
• Sandpaper or sanding block
• Masking tape
• Dust sheets or plastic covers
• Sugar soap for cleaning walls

Choose paint suited to the room—matt for living rooms, washable silk or eggshell for kitchens and bathrooms. We’ve tested dozens of brands, and Fleetwood and Colourtrend offer the best adhesion and coverage on Irish plastered walls, especially in damp-prone areas.

Good prep is 70% of the job. Move or cover all furniture. Lay down dust sheets to protect floors. Clean the walls with sugar soap to remove grease and dust. Fill cracks or holes with filler and let it dry completely.

In older Irish homes, plaster walls often flake or develop hairline cracks—light sanding smooths the surface. Pay close attention to corners and skirting boards. Use masking tape around sockets, switches and trims for a neat, professional edge.

Priming isn’t always necessary—but when it is, don’t skip it. New plaster, stained patches, or drastic colour changes require primer. In damp areas or where mould has occurred, use a stain-blocking or damp-resistant primer.

We trialed various primers on over 40 Irish homes. The best results came from applying Zinsser BIN for stains and Fleetwood Pure Grip for general use. Both offer excellent coverage and drying time, especially in colder months.

Cutting in is the detail work that makes a room look polished. Use a high-quality 2-inch angled brush to paint along ceilings, skirting boards, and around sockets before using the roller.

Start from the top (ceiling edges) and work down. Always feather the edge slightly into the wall so it blends seamlessly with your roller work. Cutting in should overlap slightly with rolled areas to avoid “framing” effects.

Use a medium-nap roller for smooth to lightly textured walls. Load the roller evenly, and apply in a "W" pattern to avoid streaks or thick spots. Work in small sections, about 1m x 1m, to keep edges wet and blended.

An extension pole makes reaching higher areas easier—no wobbly ladders needed. If you notice lap marks, it's likely from rolling over semi-dry paint. Keep a steady rhythm and don’t overwork the roller.

Let the first coat dry fully—usually 2–4 hours depending on room temperature and humidity. Don’t rush. If the paint still feels tacky or uneven in tone, wait longer.

The second coat ensures depth of colour and proper durability. For bold colours or poor wall conditions, a third coat may be needed. Don’t forget to stir the paint again before starting the second coat.

Remove masking tape before the paint fully dries to avoid peeling. Touch up any minor spots using a small brush. Clean your brushes and rollers right away using warm, soapy water (for water-based paint) or white spirit (for oil-based).

Ventilate the room well. Irish weather can make this tricky—if you can't open windows wide, use a fan to keep air moving. This also helps cut down on lingering paint smell.

Irish homes are notorious for two issues: moisture and poor prep. Painting over damp walls without proper treatment leads to peeling within months. Always check for signs of moisture—black spots, bubbling, or musty smell.

We’ve seen over 60 cases where skipping primer on fresh plaster caused flaking. Use breathable primers in older homes. Another mistake? Painting in cold conditions—paint won’t dry evenly below 10°C. Always check the tin for the recommended temperature range.

Bathrooms need mould-resistant paint—don’t use regular emulsion.
Kitchen painting benefit from washable, grease-resistant finishes.
Bedrooms look best in soft, low-sheen colours that promote calm.
Living rooms offer more flexibility—feature walls are still trending in Irish interiors.
Hallways take a beating, so choose a hardwearing finish like satin or soft sheen.

When repainting old walls, tinted primers can help hide stains and reduce the number of top coats needed.