Painting a room can completely transform the look and feel of your space—but the order in which you paint each surface makes a big difference in achieving a clean, professional finish. Many homeowners wonder where to begin: the ceiling, the walls, or the trim? Following the right sequence helps prevent drips, smudges, and extra touch-ups. Here’s the expert-recommended order for best results.
What’s the correct order to paint a room?
Professional painters almost always follow this sequence:
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Ceiling
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Walls
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Trim (baseboards, moulding, and doors)
Painting in this order minimizes mistakes, helps maintain clean edges, and ensures a faster, more efficient workflow.
Why should you paint the ceiling first?
Painting the ceiling first prevents paint splatter from ruining freshly painted walls or trim. When working overhead, some splatter is almost unavoidable—even for experienced painters.
By starting at the top:
- You can roll freely without worrying about drips.
- Any paint that lands on the walls can easily be covered later.
- It’s easier to maintain a seamless edge between ceiling and wall colours.
Randall’s offers a variety of ceiling paints and rollers designed to reduce splatter and ensure smooth, even coverage. Explore them in our Paint Collections
What’s the best way to paint a ceiling?
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Clear the room or cover furniture with drop cloths.
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Cut in around the edges using a brush where the ceiling meets the wall.
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Use a roller on an extension pole to paint in consistent, overlapping strokes.
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Apply two thin coats rather than one heavy coat for an even finish.
For high or textured ceilings, Randall’s experts can recommend specialty rollers and paints to make the job easier.
Why should walls come second?
Once the ceiling has dried, move on to the walls. Painting the walls second allows you to work quickly without worrying about bumping into wet trim or baseboards.
Pro tip:
Use painter’s tape along the top edge of the wall to create a crisp line where it meets the ceiling. This ensures a professional, clean edge without overlap.
How should you paint walls for the best coverage?
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Cut in around the ceiling, corners, and trim with a high-quality brush.
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Use a roller for the large wall areas, applying paint in a “W” or “M” pattern to blend evenly.
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Maintain a wet edge to prevent visible roller marks.
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Apply a second coat if needed after the first is fully dry.
Randall’s carries washable and durable wall paints ideal for every room, from living spaces to kitchens and bathrooms. Find your perfect finish in our Collections
Why should trim and baseboards be painted last?
Trim and baseboards are usually painted last because they’re most likely to get splattered during wall painting. By saving them for the end, you can:
- Cover up any wall paint overlaps or tape marks.
- Avoid bumping into freshly painted walls with a brush.
- Achieve precise, clean lines around doors, windows, and flooring.
Use semi-gloss or satin finishes for trim—they’re more durable and easier to clean than matte paints.
Should doors and window frames be painted at the same time as trim?
Yes, since doors and window frames require the same type of durable finish, it’s best to paint them together.
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Use a small angled brush for smooth, controlled strokes.
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Apply thin coats to avoid drips or buildup.
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Let each coat dry fully before reattaching hardware.
What if you’re repainting only part of a room?
If you’re not repainting everything, follow this adjusted order:
- For walls only, tape off the ceiling and trim carefully before starting.
- For trim touch-ups, wait until walls are fully cured to avoid lifting paint.
Randall’s team can help you choose the right paint and tools for partial projects to ensure a consistent look.
Do professionals follow this same painting order?
Yes—almost all professional painters use this top-to-bottom approach. It’s efficient, minimizes cleanup, and produces sharp, clean edges. If you’d prefer to have your room painted professionally, visit our Services Pageor fill out a Painter Order Formto connect with trusted local painters.
Get Expert Help for Your Next Painting Project
Whether you’re painting one room or an entire home, following the right order ensures a smooth, polished finish. Need help choosing colours, tools, or finishes? Visit your nearest Randall’s store or Contact Usto get professional results every time.
Paint smarter, not harder—Randall’s helps you get every detail right, from the ceiling to the trim.