How to Prepare Your Home for Interior Painters

A little preparation before your painters arrive makes the whole project smoother, faster, and safer for your belongings. Most of it takes less than an hour per room, and a surprising amount of it is simply deciding things early.

Here's the checklist we walk through with every interior client.

01Clear the walls and surfaces

• Take down pictures, mirrors, shelves, and wall-mounted items
• Remove curtains and blinds where windows are being painted
• Clear countertops and shelves in rooms being painted
• Unplug and move small electronics and lamps

02Move small and fragile items

We'll handle the heavy furniture, moving it to the center of the room and covering it. What we ask you to move are the things that are small, fragile, or personal: ornaments, artwork, plants, and anything you'd rather handle yourself.

If something is too heavy, too delicate, or too awkward to move at all, mention it during the walkthrough so we can plan protection around it.

03Plan for pets and people

Wet paint, open doors, and curious pets don't mix well. It's worth planning where pets will spend their time while rooms are being painted, both for their safety and for the finish.

The same goes for daily routines: knowing which bathroom everyone needs in the morning, or which room the baby naps in, helps us sequence the work around your household instead of through it.

04Settle colors and finishes early

The single biggest cause of delays is late color decisions. Colors look different in your light than on a screen or a chip, so test samples on the actual walls a few days before work starts if you can.

Decide sheens at the same time, since our sheen guide covers which finish suits which room.

05What you can leave to us

• Moving and covering large furniture
• Protecting floors and fixtures
• Filling holes, sanding, and caulking
• Removing and reinstalling switch plates and hardware
• Daily cleanup and a final walkthrough