how to paint corners

How to Paint Corners Like a Pro

Last Updated on February 24, 2023

Learning how to paint corners can feel complicated. It’s easy for a roller or paintbrush to leave a streak of paint on the wrong wall, the ceiling, or somewhere else when you’re painting a corner. That’s why so many experts suggest using the right painting tools and methodologies to ‘cut in corners’ before you begin painting the rest of the room.

The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to be an expert to achieve the same results professional painters get when painting your corners. Today, we will look at some of the best steps you can follow to paint corners more effectively.

What’s the Best Way to Paint Corners?

Learning how to paint edges between wall and ceiling areas and between opposite sides of a wall is essential to get a good result. The best way to master interior room painting is through regular practice and caution. Painting corners between the wall and ceiling can be complex as the angle makes it hard to avoid smudging.

No one expects you to be able to paint a perfectly straight line, even if you have a steady hand, so it’s often a good idea to use blue painter’s tape or masking tape to stop your paint from going over onto the wrong wall. After all, just a little vibration can be all it takes to ruin your straight line.

Place your tape on areas you don’t want to paint when you’re painting your corner, and make sure it’s pressed down tight, so you don’t have to worry about the paint creeping under the edge of the tape. When painting corners, remember to:

Avoid Using Too Much Paint

Paint that is applied too thickly, especially water-based paint, might easily drip onto the areas of the wall you don’t want to touch. Never dip your trim brush more than a third into the paint because it will make it harder to control your paint job.

Have a Damp Rag Ready

Make sure you have a damp rag ready to remove any paint that creeps over onto another wall. The faster you remove the paint, the better.

Use the Right Brush

Avoid using a large brush on tight corners. It will be simpler to spill paint all around, and you might get brush marks. Apply paint slowly and carefully, using just enough paint.

How Do Professionals Paint Corners?

When you’re ready to start painting the edge or corner of your wall, dip the paintbrush gently into the paint and apply paint from the very tip of the corner outwards. Press the tip of the brush into the wall below the junction between the ceiling, floor or wall. Gently rock the brush to nudge the paint into the corner. You can also use brushes with angled tips to help with this.

Move the brush downwards and out to extend the paint onto the wall. When the paintbrush no longer has enough paint to cover the wall, make a single stroke flowing parallel to the ceiling to help smooth the strokes.

When cutting a corner on a section where two walls meet, follow the same process, but first, use strokes that go outwards and away from the corner.

How Should You Paint Edges and Corners?

Like most interior room painting, the more you practice painting windows, corners, and edges, the more confident you’ll become. Trim brushes help you get a more accurate cut in line, and angled sash brushes are for specific kinds of painting.

Here are some tips to help you get the best results.

Make the Most of Painter’s Tape

Apply painter’s tape to avoid any paint from seeping over. Avoid anything too sticky that might leave a fine line on your wall.

Use the Right Light

Make sure you have bright light available to track the paint release from your brush accurately and avoid leaving any brush lines. Work on only a handful of inches at a time, so you can layer thick paint on each section of the wall to get the right results.

Use a Bead of Caulk

Consider adding a small bead of caulk to textured walls and ceilings with a putty knife, then apply masking tape to the caulk. This will help to master cutting techniques.

Don’t Rush

Even if the paint starts drying, don’t rush the painting process. You’ll need to take your time when working on edges and the outside edge of your walls to avoid allowing the paint to spread onto other surfaces.

Try Painting Edgers

If you’re painting edges or you want to add a specific trim to your wall, you can consider using painting edgers. These tools allow you to apply paint along the edge or into the corner of a wall with minimal stress. They’re particularly useful when painting the ceiling.

Use Drop Cloths

Carefully slide drop cloths onto all the surfaces underneath where you’re going to be painting. This will ensure you don’t get excess paint on the floor as you spread the paint on the walls.

Note: Some people use tape to cover the ceiling and still paint walls and edges with a roller, but it’s much easier to avoid leaving a mess using a brush. As you make your first pass and the second pass on your walls, remember to finish with the feathering step to avoid any streaks on the surface of your wall.

Should You Paint Corners First?a painter painting moist wall

If you’re learning how to paint wall edges and corners, it might be helpful to paint them first.

When you’re painting the edges of your walls, if you haven’t already painted the rest of the wall, you can lean against it as you paint. As you make your second and third passes on the wall, gradually bring a thin layer of paint closer to the corners, skirting boards and edges while moving away from the wall.

As you grow more confident with touching the bristles lightly into the corners of your walls and painting trim becomes common practice, you can apply the paint in any order you like!

Paint Your Corners the Right way

And that’s how to paint corners like a professional.

There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for painting the edge between a wall and a ceiling or painting along the edge onto the wall—the best way to cut in when painting is to find what works for you.

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