Should you paint skirting or walls first?

When painting a room, it's generally recommended to paint the walls first, followed by the skirting boards (baseboards). Here's why:

1. Walls First:

• Less Risk of Overlap: When you paint the walls first, it’s easier to get a clean edge along the skirting boards without worrying about getting wall paint on them. If you paint the skirting boards first, you risk splattering or getting wall paint on them, which could require touch-ups.
• Easier to Cut In: Cutting in around skirting boards is easier when the walls are already painted. The tape or free-hand edging you do on the walls will not need to be as precise because the baseboards can cover any slight mistakes or overlaps at the bottom of the wall.
• Flexibility with Touch-ups: Painting the walls first gives you flexibility for touch-ups on the baseboards if needed. If you accidentally get some wall paint on the skirting boards, it's easier to fix than if the baseboards were already painted first.

2. Skirting Boards Last:

• Clean Finish: Once the walls are painted and dry, you can carefully paint the skirting boards, giving them a clean and crisp finish. This ensures that any wall paint that drips or overlaps onto the baseboards can be easily removed or corrected during the skirting board painting.
• More Control: Painting the skirting boards last gives you more control over how they look. You can tape along the edges of the walls to avoid any wall paint on the skirting, ensuring a sharp, tidy line.

General Steps for Painting Walls and Skirting Boards:

1. Prepare the Room: Protect the floor and furniture with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. Use painter’s tape to mask off the edges where the walls meet the ceiling, and around the edges of the skirting boards to avoid getting paint on the floors or walls.

2. Paint the Walls First:

   • Start by painting the walls, working your way from top to bottom. This way, any paint splatters or drips from the walls won’t mess up your freshly painted baseboards.
   • You can use a brush to cut in the edges around the ceiling and corners, and then use a roller for the larger areas.

3. Wait for the Walls to Dry: Let the walls dry completely before moving on to the skirting boards, typically about 4-6 hours, depending on the type of paint and room conditions.

4. Paint the Skirting Boards Last:

   • Once the wall paint is dry, tape the edges where the skirting meets the wall to protect the wall paint.
   • Use a brush to carefully paint the skirting boards. If you're painting them a contrasting color from the walls, make sure to apply the paint in even, smooth coats.

Conclusion:

Paint the walls first, followed by the skirting boards. This method allows for a cleaner finish and reduces the risk of making mistakes. Plus, painting the skirting boards last gives you the flexibility to correct any accidental splashes from the wall paint without ruining the baseboard finish.