Fox and Hiller say the idea that certain colors will affect your mood is almost a myth. While it’s a good idea to paint a kid’s bedroom a calming color, the general rule is to go with whatever colors you like.

How can I make sure my painting project goes smoothly? Last time I ended up with paint all over my baseboards (and my hair)!
Fox says the prep work you do before picking up a brush is key for a professional-looking paint job. Painting tip: Use tape so the paint doesn’t smudge onto the ceiling or baseboards and fill in holes with spackle.

After you’ve taped, use a 1-inch brush for “cutting in,” which means painting around the edges of a wall so you don’t have to roll all the way to the tape (that would also put a mark on the adjacent wall or ceiling). Do this one wall at a time, or start with the ceiling if you’re painting it.

After cutting in, start from the top with your roller and work down. Don’t put too much paint on the roller—that’s the biggest mistake people make. Fox suggests doing two coats, especially for darker colors.