How do you paint a room with emulsion?

Painting a room with emulsion involves preparation, application, and finishing touches to achieve a professional look. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare the Room

Clear the space: Remove all furniture and any items that might obstruct your work. If removal isn't possible, cover them with drop cloths.
Protect the floor: Lay down drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect your flooring from paint splatters.
Gather your supplies: Ensure you have everything you need, including emulsion paint, brushes, rollers, paint trays, masking tape, sandpaper, a scraper (for removing old paint flakes), sugar soap or a suitable cleaning solution, sponges, a ladder or step stool, and safety glasses.

Remove dust and dirt: Wipe down the walls with a damp sponge or cloth to remove loose dust and debris.
Wash the walls: Use sugar soap or a similar cleaning solution to wash the walls, removing grease, grime, and stains. Rinse with clean water and allow the walls to dry completely.
Repair imperfections: Fill any holes or cracks with filler. Once the filler is dry, sand it smooth to blend with the surrounding surface.
Sand glossy surfaces: If the walls have a glossy finish, lightly sand them to create a better surface for the emulsion paint to adhere to.

Apply masking tape: Use masking tape to protect trim, windows, door frames, and other areas you don't want to paint. Ensure the tape is firmly pressed down to prevent paint bleed.
Cut in: Use a brush to paint a strip along the edges of the walls, where they meet the ceiling, floor, and trim. This is called "cutting in" and provides a clean, defined edge.

Load the roller: Pour some emulsion paint into the paint tray. Dip the roller into the paint, ensuring it's evenly coated but not dripping.
Apply the paint: Start rolling the paint onto the walls in a "W" or "M" pattern. Overlap each stroke slightly to ensure even coverage.
Work in sections: Divide the wall into manageable sections and complete each section before moving on to the next.
Avoid overloading the roller: Too much paint will cause drips and uneven coverage.
Apply a second coat (if needed): After the first coat is dry, assess the coverage. If necessary, apply a second coat using the same technique as the first.

Smooth the finish: After applying the paint with the roller, gently go over the painted area with the roller, applying very light pressure to smooth out any stippling or imperfections. This technique is called "laying off."

Remove the masking tape: Carefully remove the masking tape while the paint is still slightly wet to prevent it from pulling off the dried paint.
Touch up any imperfections: Use a small brush to touch up any areas where the paint may have bled or where coverage is uneven.
Clean your tools: Wash your brushes and rollers with water (or the recommended cleaner for your specific emulsion paint) immediately after use. Allow them to dry completely before storing them.
Ventilate the room: Open windows and doors to ventilate the room and allow the paint to dry completely.
Replace furniture: Once the paint is fully dry, carefully replace the furniture and other items in the room.