Wear comfortable old clothing you will not care if you get paint on them.

If possible, clear the room of everything. If not possible move what you have to leave to the center and fully cover it with an old sheet and a tarp.

Fix holes and cracks in the wall before applying the new color.

Use painters tape to create clean lines alone edges such as ceilings and door and window molding. This is also great to use when you want to paint stripes in a different color from the base color.

Use tray liners in your paint tray. This allows you to keep using your paint tray over and over.

There are a large variety of paint rollers. Choose the one that is best for what you need. Shorter naps (3/16" or 3/8") are best for indoor walls you want to look smooth. Longer naps (3/4" or 1-1/4") are best for rough textured walls like brick or stucco.

Using a roller to paint - paint in a zigzag "M" pattern, starting with an upward stroke to minimize the possibility of spatter.

Store leftover paint in a glass jar or pint size paint can instead of the large container. It can be easily used later for touchups.

Have a tool station in the middle of the room you're working on. Keep your paint, brushes, rollers, hammers, screwdrivers, plastic bags, plastic wrap, rags, paint can opener, and drop cloths here for easy access.

New paint on the walls looks better when you use a primer or base coat first.

It is also recommended to create the "M" pattern in 3 foot stretches. Go through and fill the spaces horizontally to minimize visible strokes and maximize the paint's longevity.

Always take in to consideration the finish of the paint. For each room or project (you may consider painting cabinets, furniture, etc.) there is a standard or appropriate finish: For example; use flat paint for ceilings.

Consult a paint specialist before making a purchase- Paints are non-refundable!

When selecting brushes and rollers, don't be too money conscious- quality over quantity is imperative to a professional finish. Lower quality brushes tend to leave strokes where as the higher quality brushes don't. Rollers don't necessarily need the quality if it's going to be used a handful of times but with lower quality rollers the fibers on the roller will begin to come off on the paint. If using throughout several project, buy higher quality products. Although the expenses of the project may already be taking a toll on your pockets, keep in mind that money-well-spent is better than money wasted.

When you get a paint that is specifically mixed for your needs, always make sure you keep the information handy in case you need to purchase additional paint in the same color.

When priming a wall for painting, it is best to have the primer tinted with the color you are going to be painting with. This will prevent any bleed thru's of the previous paint.