Pain-free painting

Anyone can paint a room, but be sure to use good tools for better results

Buy quality

Avoid cheap brushes as they don’t hold or spread paint well and often shed hairs, ruining all your hard work.

material matters

Synthetic brushes are best with water-based paints as they don’t absorb water and swell, giving a better finish. natural bristles are best for solvent-based paints as they disperse the paint evenly.

roll up, roll up

Rollers are ideal to cover large surfaces quickly – buy the correct pile for the type of paint and surface you’re working on. Short pile suits flat surfaces, medium pile works with most walls. Pick long pile for textured surfaces or masonry walls, and foam rollers for gloss or varnish

tight fit

Radiator rollers are a small roller on the end of a long, flexible handle to reach behind radiators. A cage roller is easier to work with than cheaper single-rod versions and gives better results for a few extra pounds.

Cut a mouse mat into small pads and glue under table and Chair legs to stop them scratching a wood floor