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Home & garden · Decorating

Transform Your Home: A Complete Guide to Painting and Decorating

Learn the professional techniques and practical know-how to paint and decorate your home with confidence. From choosing the right tools and preparing surfaces to mastering cutting-in and tackling tricky areas, this course gives you step-by-step skills to achieve a flawless finish. Ideal for DIYers,

360 min8 modulesBeginner friendly
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Free to take. This course does not use any Learning Credits.

What you’ll be able to do

By the end of this course, you will be able to plan, prepare, and execute a complete room decoration project, including painting walls, woodwork, and ceilings, and applying wallpaper, with professional-quality results.

Course outline

A clear route from first principles to practical confidence

  1. 01

    Module 1: Getting Started – Tools, Materials, and Planning

    • Choosing the right paint: finishes, types, and colour matching
    • Essential tools: brushes, rollers, trays, and accessories
    • Measuring your room and calculating paint quantities
    • Creating a project timeline and budget
  2. 02

    Module 2: Surface Preparation – The Key to a Lasting Finish

    • Cleaning, sanding, and filling holes and cracks
    • Dealing with damp, mould, and peeling paint
    • Priming and undercoating: when and why
    • Protecting floors, furniture, and fixtures
  3. 03

    Module 3: Painting Walls and Ceilings Like a Pro

    • Cutting in: painting edges and corners without tape
    • Rolling techniques: loading, laying off, and avoiding lap marks
    • Painting ceilings: tools, order, and avoiding drips
    • Two-coat systems and drying times
  4. 04

    Module 4: Painting Woodwork – Skirting, Doors, and Frames

    • Preparing woodwork: sanding, filling, and knotting
    • Painting skirting boards and architraves
    • Painting doors: flat, panelled, and glazed
    • Painting window frames and sills without smudges
  5. 05

    Module 5: Wallpapering – From Prep to Perfect Hanging

    • Choosing wallpaper: types, patterns, and paste options
    • Measuring, cutting, and pasting lengths
    • Hanging the first length and matching patterns
    • Dealing with corners, light switches, and windows
  6. 06

    Module 6: Special Effects and Decorative Finishes

    • Creating a feature wall with colour blocking
    • Sponging, rag rolling, and stippling effects
    • Using stencils and tape for geometric patterns
    • Faux finishes: wood grain and marble effects
  7. 07

    Module 7: Troubleshooting and Finishing Touches

    • Common mistakes: drips, brush marks, and peeling
    • Touching up and blending repairs
    • Fitting and painting coving and dado rails
    • Cleaning and storing tools for future projects
  8. 08

    Module 8: Planning Your Next Project – Stairs, Hallways, and Beyond

    • Decorating stairs and landings safely
    • Painting radiators and pipes without mess
    • Coordinating colours and finishes across rooms
    • Creating a decorating schedule for multiple rooms