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If you have more money than time, you may want to hire professionals to paint the interior of your home. But for those who plan to redecorate on a tight budget, it 's easy and economical to do interior paint projects yourself. Here are detailed instructions to help you paint like a pro.

* Don't Cut Corners When Prepping to Paint *

You may have seen it yourself in a home or apartment that you have moved into; paint streaks and smudges on fixtures, outlet covers and edges of the ceiling; all hallmarks of a sloppy, hurried paint job. These mistakes happen when amateur painters don't put in the upfront planning and prep time to do the job right.

Preparing to paint can take nearly as long as the painting itself, but properly prepping the room is an essential step that will give you the professional results you are seeking.

* Items You'll Need for Painting *

This list is based on what you'll need to paint a small 10' x 10' room. If you have a larger space to paint, speak to a knowledgeable associate at the home supply store where you are purchasing your paint and supplies.

* 1 can of primer
* 1 can of tinted paint
* 1 roller
* 2-pack of general purpose roller brushes
* metal or plastic paint pan
* plastic paint pan liners (makes cleanup much easier)
* 1 good quality angled 2" paint brush
* 1 good quality angled 4" paint brush
* 1 large roll of painter's tape
* a bucket of diluted soapy water
* a large plastic bag (to hold outlet covers, switch plates and screws)
* a step ladder or stable chair (to reach high places)
* a fan (to help the paint dry more quickly)
* screw driver (to remove outlet covers and switch plates)
* several wet rags (to clean up mistakes)
* roll of cellophane (to wrap up paint covered brushes that you aren't done with)
* shower curtain liners (to cover furniture that you aren't removing from the room)
* paint tarps (to cover floor)

You may be tempted to use old sheets instead of paint tarps, but sheets are not heavy enough to prevent paint spills from seeping through, and sheets don't stay put as you move around the room with ladders and other equipment. If you are painting before replacing the floors or carpeting (the best time to paint), you don't need to worry about protecting the floors.

* Wash Walls Before Painting *

Before you begin taping and painting, the walls and the trim must be washed and free of dust and grime. They don't need to be sparkling clean, but the paint and the tape will adhere better to a reasonably clean surface.

* Removing Fixtures *

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