Nothing can give a room a new look like a new paint color on the walls can. Even if you cannot afford any new decor, just a simple paint job can give your same room a new look and focus, without having to buy costly furnishings.

So what should you do in preparation for your new paint on the walls? It is actually not that hard, but you should make sure you do prepare them properly, to give your new paint the best chance at success.

First, take a good look at the walls in bright light. If they are grubby, you will need to wash them first. You can make your own wall wash solution by making a 50/50 mix of bleach and water. (Be sure you allow the walls to dry completely before painting).

If there are any flaky paint areas, remove the flakes by hand.

If there are any cracks or holes on the walls, you should patch them first, then sand them until smooth.

If the walls have never been painted before, you will need to do a primer coat to start.

Tape any door frames, window frames, trim where you might accidentily paint onto surfaces you do not want paint on. You can get special painter's masking tape which is easier to remove when you are done.

Follow these steps, and you should have successfully prepared your walls for painting.