If you walked in my front door right now, we’d high-five and do a little happy dance together. We made it through another busy summer—and for that I’m truly grateful. This year felt extra meaningful. I never imagined I’d be juggling so many responsibilities while still finding time to create, but somehow we did it. Hallelujah.
When I started writing this little blog, there was a small dream I entertained—something that felt a bit silly to hope for, but that I talked about and imagined anyway. A week and a half ago that dream took a surprising turn: I received an email inviting me to take part in a room transformation project. My heart raced, I squealed a little, and I nearly broke my fingers trying to type “YES!” quickly enough.
The timing was challenging. I still had a week of cooking for 207 people, and the makeover needed to happen fast. Fortunately, my husband is used to my sudden bursts of creative ambition and threw himself into the project with me. Together we balanced camp duties and renovation work, and slowly but surely the plan began to take shape.
Over the next days I’ll be sharing the room transformation in more detail, including progress updates, design decisions, and practical painting tips you can use at home. For now, I want to start at the beginning with prep—good preparation makes painting faster, cleaner, and more successful. Below are five essential preparation tips that I always follow before painting any room.
5 Essential Tips for Preparing a Room for Painting
1. Empty the room as much as possible.
Removing furniture creates a clear workspace and prevents accidental paint splatters on sofas, tables, and rugs. If a piece is too large to move, place it in the center of the room and cover it securely, but when possible carrying everything out speeds the job and reduces clean-up time. Less clutter also helps you see imperfections in walls and trim more clearly.
2. Cover and protect floors thoroughly.
Lay down solid drop cloths or layered old rugs to protect hardwood, tile, or carpet from drips and spills. Secure edges with painter’s tape if needed to prevent tripping or shifting. Having a clean work area means you can focus on painting instead of babysitting every small splatter.
3. Remove small fixtures and group hardware in one place.
Take off switch plates, outlet covers, curtain rod brackets, picture hangers, and similar hardware and place them in a labeled container or tray. Keeping everything in one spot prevents last-minute searches for lost screws or covers when the project is done.
4. Use painter’s tape for crisp edges and protected trim.
Painter’s tape is invaluable when you need precise, clean lines—around window trim, baseboards, or ceiling edges. I don’t always tape for broad wall painting, but for detailed edging or when you want a professional look, quality painter’s tape saves a lot of rework.
5. Gather the right tools before you start.
Having the proper tools on hand makes painting faster and less frustrating. My go-to essentials include a lightweight step ladder, damp rags for quick cleanups, a paint roller tray with liners, a roller handle with an extension pole, quality rollers, and a high-quality paintbrush. A good brush makes a huge difference—smoother strokes, better control, and cleaner cut-ins.
Recently we tested a painting kit that included many of these tools. The roller handle and brush in that kit stood out; they handled well and produced a smooth finish. If you’re preparing a room for fall or just refreshing a tired space, investing in the right supplies pays off in time saved and a better result.
Over the next posts I’ll show step-by-step photos of our room transformation, explain color choices, and share practical tips for cutting in, rolling, and finishing trim. I’m excited to take you along for the process—grab your coffee and join the painting party.
Although this project was supported by Benjamin Moore, the opinions and content shared here are my own.
