29 Dec Which Room Gets Painted First?
Are you thinking of repainting your home? That’s not a small project. If you’re doing it yourself, it’s an even bigger project. There’s moving and covering furniture, protecting floors, prepping walls, making needed repairs, and picking the correct paint – all before you even start painting. And that’s not all that needs to be done! So, if you’re planning on repainting your Virginia home (or hiring us to do it), it’s a good idea to be strategic with which rooms to do first.
Painting a room means it likely will be inaccessible for at least one day, if not more. There might be paint fumes (not all paints generate fumes). And, of course, the room will have sheeting to protect certain areas or items. Creating a plan for painting rooms is a must.
Why Are You Painting?
There are various reasons you might want or need to paint. Those reasons could affect what you paint and where you start. For example, suppose you’re painting to list your house for sale. In that case, you might repaint the entire house or just a few high-impact rooms, like the foyer, kitchen, living, and primary bedroom. If you want to paint to only update colors or refresh the walls, it might not be necessary to paint every room. You might only paint high-traffic areas.
Identifying the reasons for repainting your home can help you prioritize the order you paint. Read on for more details.
Bedrooms & Bathrooms:
If you’re repainting the entire home, starting with the bedrooms and bathrooms is a good idea. It allows you a space to escape to while the rest of the house is being painted. It also lets you enjoy your newly painted bedroom while looking forward to completing the rest of the house.
Kitchen
Kitchens are hard-working, high-traffic rooms. If the whole house is being painted, you might start with the kitchen. Getting that done gives you access to cooking, even while the other gathering spaces are out of commission. Also, you will be delighted once you see your newly repainted kitchen!
Living Room
The living room isn’t really a must-have room. It’s possible to stay away from it for a day or two, unlike your kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms, which you use daily. Because of their size, living rooms might take at least two days to prep and repaint. Unless there’s a compelling reason, paint the living room after the bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen. This also applies to family rooms.
Laundry Room
The laundry room is another room you can leave for last or after you’ve done the more important rooms. While laundry rooms can usually be done pretty quickly, it’s not a high-priority room you need to use daily.
As you can see, painting a home isn’t just putting paint on a wall. There’s a lot involved. You should probably leave it to us to tackle your Northern Virginia painting project in most cases. We’d be happy to provide an estimate for your project. Contact us to schedule an estimate or use our online scheduler.
FAQ
1. Is there a recommended order for painting rooms in my home?
There’s no strict rule, but many experts suggest starting with the room that needs the most attention—such as one with damaged walls, peeling paint, or heavy wear. This approach helps you tackle the most challenging space first, making the rest of the project feel easier.
2. Should I paint high-traffic areas like the kitchen or living room first?
Painting high-traffic areas first can make sense if those rooms need immediate attention, but it may also disrupt daily life. Some homeowners prefer to start with bedrooms or less-used spaces to minimize disruption and maintain comfort during the painting process.
3. What is the best order to paint surfaces within a room?
For a professional finish, always paint from top to bottom: start with the ceiling, then move on to the walls, and finish with the trim, doors, and baseboards. This method helps prevent drips and ensures a cleaner result.
4. Should I paint the largest room first or the smallest?
Starting with the largest room can be beneficial because it helps you estimate supplies and get the most demanding task out of the way. However, painting a smaller room first can serve as a good test run, especially if you’re new to painting.
5. Are there rooms that should be prioritized for practical reasons?
Yes, bathrooms and kitchens often require special attention due to higher moisture levels, which affect drying times. Painting these rooms early in your project allows for adequate drying and less interruption to daily routines. Guest rooms and lesser-used spaces are typically left for last since they don’t impact daily life as much.
Mike Katounas is the owner of Home Works Painting, a painting business in Northern Virginia. He has over 15 years of experience in residential interior and exterior painting, drywall installation/repair, carpentry, wallpaper removal, power washing, commercial painting, color consultation, and staining/sealing. Their service areas include Chantilly, Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, Reston. Mike takes pride in his work, and he always follows a strict code of conduct that includes the use of quality paint, a clean workspace, and an honest, respectful approach to his customers.
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