Painting your home is one of those DIY tasks that almost anyone is willing to tackle. How hard can it be? Well, that depends on what or where you’re painting. All spaces are not created equal. But, armed with the right tools and a can-do attitude, you can (probably) succeed where others might fail.

BUT FIRST, PREP

“Do I have to?” Technically, no. But will it keep you from a) cringing every time you look at your work or b) repainting to fix what you could have done right the first time? More than likely, yes.

You’ll find detailed instructions on how to prep almost any type of surface online, but here’s a quick list that applies to most things:

1. Clean previously painted surfaces.
2. Fill holes and patch cracks.
3. Tape off or cover areas you don’t want painted (like baseboards/molding) or that might get splattered (like the floor).

Once you’ve done that, gathered your tools and turned on some tunes, it’s time to tackle those tricky spots, like…

TIGHT CORNERS

Image: Zibra

Painting a nice, flat wall is one thing…applying paint to narrow spaces and tight corners is another. When you’re faced with one of these DIY challenges, put down the big roller and grab…

1. A brush—preferably a small (1- to 2-inch) angled or triangle-shaped brush. Or try one of the specialty tools available, like…
2. corner rollers or
3. angled paint pads. Whatever tool(s) you use, stay zen and don’t get in a hurry. Exercising patience now will pay off with a beautifully painted surface later.

BEHIND A TOILET

Image: Max Vakhtbovycn

There are two basic methods: one involves removing the tank (not the whole toilet); the other doesn’t. Both methods involve covering your toilet (trash bags are your friend here) and doing the usual prep in the surrounding area. If you’re not removing the tank, at least take off the lid; you’ll get more clearance that way. Then:

1. Whip out a mini roller. Most of the time, one of those will fit behind a toilet. If it doesn’t, you can…
2. Wrap a clean rag around a paint stick, dip it in paint and slide between the tank and wall to apply paint.

If there’s not enough room for that, ask yourself: will anyone actually be able to see whether you painted back there? If the answer is no, do you really need to paint it? It’s your choice, but if your answer is yes, you’ll need to remove the toilet tank to access that area.

CEILINGS

Image: MTCopeland.com

We could give you a lengthy list of tools and how to use them, but Lilith over at Livingetc already did that, so if ceilings are on your to-do list, check out what she had to say. If your ceiling is the popcorn variety, here are a few tips just for you:

1. Vacuum it first with a soft bristle attachment (so you don’t paint dust and cobwebs).
2. Use a primer, or paint that includes a primer.
3. If you’re using a roller, make sure the nap of the roller is the same thickness as your ceiling’s texture.

FYI, there are paints designed specifically for ceilings that go on tinted and dry white, so you can see any spots you missed. Reviews of the results are mixed, though, so as always, do your homework before choosing your paint.

STAIRWELL

Image: William Richardson

Proper equipment and preparation are vital when working on and around stairs. The basics of preparation, cutting in, etc. are the same as any wall, but reaching these particular walls can be a challenge. Here are some tools that can help:

1. Extension ladder – the kind that allows you to make one side shorter than the other. Or you can opt to stay on the ground (or the stairs, anyway) and do it all with:
2. An extension pole for your roller and edger.
3. A painting buddy – this one is non-negotiable. Someone needs to hold the ladder and/or watch to make sure you don’t absent-mindedly step off the landing because you’re focused on painting. Safety first!

It’s not the easiest place to paint, but if you think you’re up for the challenge, check out these tips and good luck!

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE

Image: Antoni Shkraba Studio

What’s the easiest way to get a professional-looking paint job in those hard-to-reach places? Hire a professional. Leave the ladder in the garage and contact us for a quote.

Note: product links are provided for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation of brands or items.