Interior Painting Prep Checklist for Broward County Homeowners

Planning an interior painting project in Broward County can be exciting, but the prep work you do before the painters arrive makes a huge difference in how smoothly the job goes. This interior painting checklist will walk you through how to prep rooms for painters, protect your furniture and floors, and plan a realistic interior painting timeline for Fort Lauderdale homes. A little organization up front helps reduce delays, protects your belongings, and keeps your home comfortable throughout the project.

Confirm Colors, Finishes, and the Scope Before Prep Day

Before you start moving furniture, make sure you’ve finalized your paint choices. Double-check the rooms being painted, the walls/ceilings/trim included, and the sheen (flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss). Having these details locked in helps prevent last-minute changes that can throw off the schedule.

If you’re still comparing options, your Fort Lauderdale painting company can help you choose finishes that work best for high-traffic spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

Interior Painting Checklist: How to Prep Rooms for Painters

To make the work areas easy to access and safe to paint, focus on clearing pathways and giving your crew space to set up ladders, tools, and materials.

• Remove wall décor: take down pictures, mirrors, shelves, curtains, and hooks (and set aside the hardware)
• Clear surfaces: remove items from dressers, shelves, nightstands, and countertops near paint zones
• Relocate small items: move plants, lamps, and breakables to a separate room
• Provide access: ensure painters can reach outlets, switches, and all wall areas without obstacles

If you’re painting multiple rooms, label items by room so everything goes back quickly once the project is complete.

Protecting Furniture and Floors: Reduce Mess and Prevent Damage

One of the most important parts of any interior painting checklist is protecting what stays in the room. Even with careful painters, splatters and dust can happen during patching, sanding, and rolling.

• Move furniture to the center: pull larger pieces away from the walls so painters can work around them
• Cover what remains: use clean plastic sheeting or drop cloths to protect furniture from dust and paint
• Protect floors: use rosin paper or drop cloths for hardwood/tile and protective coverings for carpet
• Secure valuables: store jewelry, small electronics, and sentimental items in a closed room or cabinet

Also consider removing items from closets if you’re painting inside them, especially near the top shelves and corners.

Handle Pets, Kids, and Daily Routines Ahead of Time

Painting days can be noisy and busy. Plan ahead so your household isn’t stressed, and so painters can work efficiently.

• Pets: keep pets in a closed room, crate, or with a friend during active painting hours
• Kids: choose a “home base” room that won’t be painted that day
• Parking/access: leave space for work vehicles and keep entry points clear

If you work from home, consider scheduling painting in the rooms you use least first so your routine can continue with minimal disruption.

Minor Repairs: What to Fix (and What to Leave for Pros)

Many homeowners wonder whether they should patch holes and cracks themselves. If you’re confident with a putty knife, you can fill small nail holes. For anything larger—or if you want a truly seamless finish—let your painting team handle repairs as part of the project prep.

• DIY-friendly: tiny nail holes, light scuffs, and simple picture hanger spots
• Better left to pros: larger drywall repairs, water stains, peeling paint, recurring cracks, or damaged trim

Final Walkthrough: Make Sure You’re Happy Before the Crew Leaves

Once painting is complete and the space is cleaned, do a quick walkthrough. Look at walls in different lighting (daylight and evening), check trim lines, and confirm that switch plates, vents, and fixtures are clean and reinstalled properly.

Schedule Interior Painting in Broward County

If you’re planning an interior refresh, using a clear interior painting checklist is the easiest way to reduce stress and keep your project on track. For help with how to prep rooms for painters, protecting furniture and floors, and building a reliable interior painting timeline in Fort Lauderdale, reach out to Chuck's Painting, Inc. today.