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You’ve picked your colours, booked the date and pictured the “after” shot in your head. Now comes the part nobody really talks about: getting the house ready before the painters turn up.
That short window between booking and the first drop sheet can make a big difference to how smoothly your residential painting project runs. A bit of prep from your side means the crew can walk in, set up and start transforming walls instead of wrestling with clutter and furniture.
Here’s a practical, easy-to-follow checklist based on what teams like Lucas Painting see every day in Melbourne homes.
1. A few days before: lock in the plan
Before you move a single chair, make sure you and your painters are talking about the same job.
Run through:
- Which rooms, walls, ceilings and trims are being painted
- Whether doors, frames, wardrobes and window sashes are included
- Any repairs they’ve agreed to do (cracks, small holes, patching old damage)
- Rough start and finish times, and which areas they’ll tackle first
If it’s a bigger home painting job, it’s wise to have everything in writing. Agencies like Consumer Affairs Victoria recommend written agreements for trades so everyone knows exactly what’s included and what isn’t.
2. Clear the “runway” for your painters
The most helpful thing you can do before any residential painting project: give the painters space to move.
Aim to:
- Take small furniture out of the rooms: side tables, ottomans, kids’ chairs
- Clear desks, benchtops, shelves and window sills
- Box up loose items, toys, books and decorations
- Move things to a spare room, garage or one “storage zone” for the duration
Your house painters aren’t there to judge your clutter; they just need clear access. Every box you move ahead of time saves them awkward lifting with paint-laden hands and saves you from finding dust on everything later.
3. Shift and protect the big stuff
Large furniture doesn’t usually have to leave the room, but it shouldn’t be hugging the walls either.
A good rule of thumb:
- Slide beds, couches and tables into the centre of the room
- Leave a clear strip around each wall so painters can move ladders and step-stools
- Strip beds and remove cushions and throws so they stay clean
- Ask your painters if they’re bringing drop sheets and plastic; most pros do
Think of it like this: you’re creating an island of furniture in the middle, and a walking/working track all around. That single step makes indoor home painting safer, faster and far less stressful.
4. Take things off the walls (and keep track)
Anything attached to the walls will need to come down before painting starts:
- Pictures, canvases, framed prints
- Mirrors, wall clocks, decorative hooks
- Floating shelves and removable hooks or strips
As you go, label items or stack them by room so you know what belongs where afterwards. If you’ve ever finished painting and then stared at a box of mystery frames thinking “Which one lived here?”, you’ll understand why.
If you want to change where things hang, this is the time to mention it. Your house painters can fill old nail holes and leave you with a blank slate, rather than painting around them.
5. Give surfaces a quick clean
Your painters will handle serious prep – sanding, filling, priming – but a light clean beforehand helps paint stick and cuts down on dust in the air.
Inside:
- Flick off cobwebs from corners and ceilings
- Wipe greasy or heavily marked spots (especially in kitchens and hallways)
- Run a damp cloth over skirting boards and window sills
Outside:
- Pull pot plants and outdoor furniture away from walls
- Move bins, bikes and hoses
- Trim back branches or shrubs right up against the house if you can
These small steps aren’t about doing the painter’s job for them; they just give them a better surface to start from and keep grit out of your fresh finish. Simple, high-impact painting tips homeowners often skip.
6. Sort kids, pets and daily routines
Fresh paint, open doors and curious small creatures (human or furry) rarely mix well.
Before work starts:
- Decide which rooms will be “off-limits” while painting happens
- Set up a temporary play or study zone well away from the work area
- Plan where you’ll sleep if bedrooms are being painted over several days
- Consider a day with friends, family or daycare for pets on the busiest days
Painters are used to working around normal life, but planning ahead means nobody is stepping in a tray of paint or brushing against a tacky wall on the way to breakfast.
7. Think about air and comfort
Modern paints are much better than they used to be, but there’s still drying time and a bit of odour to deal with, especially indoors.
To keep everyone comfortable:
- Open windows where it’s safe and practical to do so
- Keep a fan or two handy to help with air circulation
- If anyone in the house is sensitive to smells, mention it so your painter can choose lower-odour products where possible
Government resources such as the Better Health Channel offer useful information on household paint and health if you’re curious or have concerns, especially in older homes.
8. Make access easy
It’s not glamorous, but good access can make or break the first day of a job.
Before your residential painting crew arrives:
- Clear a parking space or kerb spot if they’re bringing ladders and gear
- Unlock side gates and let them know how to get to back or upper levels
- Point out outdoor taps and power points if they’ll be using sanders or washers
Your “house painters” will bring everything they need, but they can’t magic their way through a locked gate or squeeze a trestle through a bike pile.
9. Final colour check (not on the morning of)
Try not to be the person still deciding between two almost-identical greys while the drop sheets are going down.
A few days before:
- Confirm wall, ceiling and trim colours
- Check which rooms, if any, have feature walls
- Note down the paint names or keep the sample cards handy
If you’re worried about how a shade will look in your light, chat to your painter ahead of time. Crews like Lucas Painting can often suggest small test patches or steer you away from colours that regularly disappoint in real Melbourne homes.
10. Ask what not to do
Last on the checklist: find out where you can stop helping.
Good painting tips you often miss include things you don’t need to do:
- Don’t start patching walls with random filler the night before, you may create extra work if it’s the wrong product or not dry
- Don’t tape every edge in the house; pros usually prefer their own methods
- Don’t worry about heavy sanding; that’s what you’re hiring them for
A quick “What would you like us to have ready?” chat with your painter can save hours of unnecessary effort.
A little preparation before day one means your residential painting project feels organised instead of chaotic. Clear rooms, easy access, a simple plan for kids and pets, and agreed colours give your painters space to do what you hired them for: make the place look fantastic.
If you’re getting ready for a fresh coat and want more down-to-earth painting tips homeowners can actually use, teams like Lucas Painting can walk you through exactly how to prep for your job, so when your house painters arrive, everyone knows what’s happening and the only surprise is how good your home looks at the end.
