1.  Get Organized...

  First off-take a deep breath and focus.  Most people hate to paint.  You are probably one of them.  While learning some of the tricks of this trade and utilizing the right tools and equipment you may just find your passion start to change.  Before you even pick up a brush, organize your workspace.  Setup a workstation using a counter top, table or floor area that is not in use.  Cover this with a thick drop cloth to avoid damage.  Keep all of your paint, brushes, solvents, tools and rags here.  It will serve as a central point or home base and you'll always know where to find things.  At this point, it's also a good idea to take pictures or video of furniture and wall decorations before you move anything.  This will help you to remember where things go when you're done and ready to put things back.   Even though it may be your own place,  you'll be surprised.

             2.  Prepare...

   Painters often say,  "painting is something we do right before they go home".  As important as it is, prep work is usually viewed as the grunt work of obtaining a fine quality finished product.  Cleaning, caulking spackling and sanding surfaces are a must.  Removing door and window frame hardware, switch and outlet covers are all known necessities, but are extra touches that will payoff in the end.  Try using a caulk line to fill in spaces between trim and walls.  Lay a bead of "paintable" caulk into the gap and run a wet finger down it to form a quarter round surface.  This will enable you to paint a straight crisp line between wall and trim.  For best results, tape off your line with quality painters tape.

                 3.  Work Efficiently...

   Working quickly and efficiently keeps momentum high and you more alert.  Try to keep your pace up but don't rush your painting.  Things like keeping the essential small tools in your pockets or apron mean that you don't have to step away from your task at hand every five minutes.  An old paint brush (for clearing away dust and dirt), a scraper, a razor knife and a rag will solve most problems that would otherwise require your distraction while you search for the right tool.

       4.  Tools and Equipment...

   It's important to invest in good equipment for a couple of reasons.  The work will be easier, you will get your project completed faster and your finished creation will look more professional.  You may even realize painting may not be as painful as you thought.    When choosing a brush you're better off shopping at a paint store where you will have a better selection of quality brushes to choose from.  It's important to get the right brush for the specific job you need it for.  They will be able to show you the different ones at hand.  You'll find the cost of a decent brush should run you about $10 and up.  It may sound expensive but when cleaned properly a good brush can last you a pretty long time.  It pays to purchase a decent quality roller cover as well.  The most common "nap" that should work for your project is !/2 inch.  They again will show you the different sizes depending on your needs.  Cheaper roller covers tend to fall apart after a time and don't always leave a consistent texture finish throughout.  It's better to paint out of a 5 gallon bucket with a painting screen or grid, than to paint out of a painting pan.  It is safer and more productive to use a bucket.

 Using painter's tape can be tricky if you get the wrong kind.  There is a variety of choices depending on the different surfaces you will be painting on.  In the last few years tape manufacturing companies have come a long way with tape that really works.  Ofter people have problems with bleeding or paint pealing off the wall when removed.  Again another good reason to shop at a specialty paint store.  Selecting the right "type" ladder is vital in painting safely.  All ladders are rated differently to support different weight classes and all will indicate this information on the side of the ladder.  When indoors a 4 foot ladder should be sufficient for most needs.  Using a 6 foot ladder will be more cumbersome and awkward.  Using quality drop cloths when possible.  Tipping over a can of paint on a cheep drop cloth or sheet is not uncommon and will change your day from painting to renting a carpet cleaner.  If you find spraying is the way to go, you will probably be better off renting a quality "airless" sprayer at the paint store than making a regretful purchase at the local hardware store on a sprayer that has a small motor built inside it's unit.  Again, you'll appreciate the efficiency, ease, and control over a good piece of equipment.  Don't be intimidated to operate the sprayer.  It really isn't as hard as most think it is.  The paint store will show you how to use it, what tip you will need, and how to clean it when you are finished.        

              5.  Clean Up...

   When you are finished with the job, the area in which you are working should be at least as clean as  you found it.  Put furniture back in the same place and hang pictures as they were.  Cleaning the floors and windows will compliment a new finish and give the project its own style.  While cleaning up your tools and equipment, if you were painting with a water based paint, regular soap and hot water should do the trick.  When using a solvent based product, most common-oil based paint, use paint thinner or mineral spirits.  For most jobs you will probably use latex paint.  When cleaning your brushes run hot water through the brush while squeezing the frizzles.  This may take longer than expected, but if you used a good brush you are going to want to clean it thoroughly.  Any extra paint that has dried and formed on the outer surface of the bristles can be taken off with a sponge using the abrasive side to remove the dried paint.  Using a wire brush works well but will damage it and decreases the life of the brush.  Use the same technique for the brush that was used in oil.  Understand you will need to throw the sponge away after using it.  Using a wire brush in this case is recommended.  Though a little messy and smelly, it will clean up better using thinner or mineral spirits.  Do not clean in a sink, be sure to use a bucket when cleaning the oil base paint from your brushes and  equipment.  It is important to "kick out" your brushes after you clean them.  Stand on the heal of your foot and point you toes upward.  Bring in "scrunch" your toes inside you shoe and whack the brushes down into the end of your shoe.   This will get the remaining moisture out of the brush which will also extend the life of the brush and will be pristine for next time.  That cardboard sleeve that came with the brush probably gets thrown out.  Don't get rid of it!  This is when you wrap up the brush and put the sleeve back on.  This is very important for keeping the bristles uniform and in the right direction.