May 29th 2022

Painting is a project that many homeowners feel comfortable doing themselves. But that sentiment often changes when the project involves getting rid of dark walls and covering them with lighter paint.

But you don’t necessarily need a pro in order to paint over dark walls; you just need the right strategy—and a few pro tips.

• Invest in the right supplies. Painting over dark walls with a lighter shade is a more complex painting project—so you don’t want to cut corners on supplies. For example, you’ll want to invest in quality paint rollers that will transfer the paint evenly onto walls—and will definitely want to invest in the right primer. (When you’re going from dark to light, white primer is best.)
• Use multiple coats of primer. The right primer application is the key to painting over dark walls. Make sure to apply two generous coats of primer to prep the walls for your new paint color. (The good news? If you prime the walls correctly, you can generally get away with a single coat of paint.)
• Take a break between layers. Dry times are important when painting over dark walls. When applying primer and paint, make sure the wall is completely dry before applying the next layer. (For an estimate of how long each coat will take to dry, read the primer and/or paint’s label.)