Repainting a room is one of the fastest ways to transform a space, and following the correct order truly matters. Beginning with the ceiling, then moving to the walls, and finishing with the trim helps ensure sharp lines, uniform coverage and a sleek, professional-like appearance.

This simple order keeps your workflow efficient and your results accurate, allowing each stroke to play a part in a refined look that lasts.

Ready, Set, Prep

A successful painting job begins by laying the groundwork. Taking time to prep your space will help ensure smooth application, strong adhesion and a finish that stands up to time. Before you start painting, collect your materials and make sure your surfaces are set:

• Protect the space. Cover floors and furniture with drop cloths or tarps. Remove wall décor, outlet covers, vents and hardware so you have full access to every surface.
• Clean thoroughly. Dust corners, trim and baseboards. Wash walls with a mild soap (be sure to leave no residue) or a regionally compliant cleaner to remove grime. Then, let the walls dry completely.
• Repair imperfections. Fill nail holes, cracks and dings with spackle or joint compound. Once dry, sand until smooth, then wipe clean to remove residue.
• Prime if needed. Apply primer to new drywall, repaired areas, stained surfaces or where you’re making a significant color change.
• Equip yourself. Keep a versatile tool like the Purdy® Premium 10-in-1 Multi-Tool nearby for removing screws, scraping, spreading or smoothing caulk to smooth cracks during prep—it’s simple to use for pros and DIYers alike.

Pro Tip: After sanding, vacuum along the baseboards and casings, then follow with a damp, lint-free wipe, including adjacent walls. This helps prevent residue from showing through your finish.

Once your surfaces are smooth, clean and dry, you’re ready to paint with confidence.

Prep work is easier with these Purdy tools.

Step 1: Start with Ceilings

Working top-down sets up your project for success by preventing drips and splatters that might spoil freshly painted walls or trim. Most ceiling paint also has a flat finish that can be unforgiving if you bump it with glossier paint later.

To begin, “cut in” by painting a clean border using a brush in areas that a roller cannot reach, such as along the joint between the wall and ceiling, in corners and around fixtures.

• Select an angled brush with stiffer filaments, such as the Purdy Pro-Extra® Glide™, which offers easy paint release and optimal control for crisp lines and easy application.
• Load the brush with paint about two-thirds of the way up the bristles, then approach the line by holding the brush parallel to the ceiling. 
• Lightly press the brush to make the bristles fan out into a semi-oval, or “bloom,” against the surface, then bring the fanned bristles to the line you are cutting, and make a long, smooth stroke. 
• Follow the line until the paint starts to break up, then repeat the process, gently blending the new stroke into the previous one. 

Pro Tip: Minor overlap onto the wall is fine. You’ll cover it when you move to the next surface.

Now it’s time to grab your roller and finish the ceiling.

• With your cut lines still wet, follow immediately with a low-splatter roller cover such as the Purdy Altitude™, designed to deliver a superior smooth finish and 50% more coverage compared to Purdy WhiteDove™ when used with premium paints.
• Dip the roller into the paint tray or bucket, ensuring it’s fully saturated but not dripping. Roll it against the tray’s ribbed surface to evenly distribute the paint.
• Working in small sections, roll an “N” pattern. Then, fill in between the gaps while the paint is still wet. Blend into your initial pattern using overlapping passes, always working from the unpainted to the painted surface. 

Pro Tip: For best results, be sure to keep a steady rhythm and reload your roller before it starts to drag.

To help reduce fatigue and maintain consistent rolling pressure, choose a lightweight roller frame such as the Purdy Revolution™. Then expand your reach by pairing it with a sturdy extension pole. The Purdy POLE+ offers 2x adjustability when compared to the Wooster® Sherlock® GT® Pole, featuring a secure pin lock every 3 inches, ensuring stable, even passes.

Step 2: Hit the Walls

Next up: the walls. By cutting in and rolling right away, it’s easier to maintain tidy edges and keep your finish uniform. Paint one wall at a time, starting in the corner and working across the wall.

• Cut in along the ceiling line, inside corners, around trim, doors/windows, outlets and switches. Reach for an angled brush like the Purdy Clearcut® with stiff polyester-blend filaments to create well-defined lines.
• When rolling paint, woven covers like the Purdy WhiteDove™help deliver a lint-free, polished finish on smooth walls. For lightly textured surfaces or when you want faster coverage, knitted covers such as the Purdy Marathon® can hold more paint. Also, be sure to match the nap height to the surface:
  • ⅜” nap: is great for standard drywall 
  • ½” nap: for lightly textured surfaces
  • ¾”–1″ nap: on rough or textured materials like brick or stucco
• Using the same technique as in Step 1, roll an “N” pattern in small sections, then fill in the gaps and blend into the edges while your paint is still wet.

For larger walls with more surface area, step up to the Purdy Revolution™ 14″ roller frame, which provides 55% more coverage than a standard 9″ frame. Combine it with the Purdy POLE+ for smooth, continuous passes from corner to corner.

Pro Tip: For a pro-level uniform finish, back-roll over your work (a second immediate pass over a freshly painted wall). Move from the top of the wall to the bottom in vertical lines, always rolling in the same direction.

Step 3: Trim for the Win

Bring your project home by painting the trim for a room-defining finish. Saving this step for last also helps to hide any overlaps from earlier steps.

• A satin finish works best here as it’s more durable and easier to clean as trim gets scuffed or dirtied. Use smooth, even strokes as you apply the paint and let the first coat dry completely before starting the next.
• Choosing a brush with extra-soft bristles like the Purdy Syntox® helps you put a mirror-like finish on baseboards, casings and moldings. Look for versatile brushes that work well with latex or oil-based paints, stains, clears, polyurethanes and varnishes.

Finally, step back and admire the sharp edges and smooth transitions that show your skill and care.

Keep It Orderly

Beginning at the ceiling, then working your way down the walls, before finishing with the trim, is the best sequence to ace your painting project. All the while, your workflow stays organized and your lines stay sharp, so your finish can be flawless.

With the right technique and trusted Purdy tools in hand, you can transform any space into one that looks – and feels – expertly done.

See why Purdy is the #1 Brand Preferred by Pros*

*2025 inPAINT Brand Preference Survey, Brush and Roller Cover Categories.