How to paint a room for beginners in the UK? Painting Skirting Boards and Doors.

This is your how to guide for all the decorating newbies out there looking to freshen up their space. Our "how to paint a room for beginners" will concentrate on skirting boards and doors in this article. Also see our article for painting ceilings and walls, which we will link to this one.

We're going to keep things simple and not go too in-depth. Just set you up ready with what to buy and how to prepare and paint your first room.

What to buy before decorating a room for beginners?

Here is a list of items we recommend. All the items are mid range mid budget which will help you paint many rooms to come. A good trade off between budget and quality.

• Axus Brush Set

• Paint Pail

• 4 inch roller frame (cheapest)

• Everbuild Wood Filler

• Sanding Blocks (or small sander)

• Hamilton Perfection Medium Pile Roller Sleeve - 4 Inch

• Masking Tape

• Johnstones Trade Joncryl Primer 1L

• Johnstone Trade Satin Paint 1L

Preparation for decorating a room (skirting boards and doors)

As we said in our article for ceilings and walls, it's all in the preparation. Firstly start by adding a strip of masking tape around the edge of the skirting boards, on top of the carpet. There are plenty of videos on how to do this so if you're unsure then take a look.

Once you've applied the tape, get the sander and lightly sand down the skirting boards and doors. Sand down any lumps but don't fill any holes yet.

Once you've sanded take the primer and apply a very thin layer of primer to the skirting boards and doors. You only need a brush for the as only a thin layer is needed.

When the primer is dry take the wood filler and fill and holes, allow to dry and sand smooth. After the priming and filling you're ready for paint. Half fill your paint pail and take a 1.5 inch or 2 inch brush. Apply a thin layer of the Satin paint ensuring you smooth out each section of skirting boards before moving on. "Pro tip" let the brush paint a 1-2mm border on the wall above the skirting board to ensure a neat finish.

Painting a door

Once you're finished your first coat of the skirting boards, it's time to start on the doors. If you can remove door handles as it makes the next steps much easier and quicker. Now lightly sand any rough areas and then take your 4 inch roller. If you're lucky you might be able to paint the whole door with the roller. Take your roller and add some paint. start by adding paint to any inner recessed panels first. Try and use the roller to get in any recessed areas but if you're having trouble, then grab a brush as use this to paint these areas. Now work your way around the door starting in the middle with the panels and work to the outsides. Be careful not to get too much paint in the corners of the panels as you will get drips. "Pro Tip" after 20 minutes go back to the door and smooth off any drips or rough areas of paint with your brush. Lightly smooth off with the tips of the bristles.

Rinse and repeat

That's it, your first coat is complete. All you need to do is repeat what you did on the first coat. Make sure you let the paint dry which can take 2-4 hours. It's worth running your eye over your first coat and lightly sand any bad bits of paint before starting with your second coat.

There you have it. If you have any problems along the way, look at our tips and tricks section to overcome any problems you might encounter. Happy Decorating!