One of the easiest and most affordable ways to refresh any room in your home is with a fresh coat of paint. TikToker Molly (@therenegadehome) recently repainted her entire house and picked up some game-changing painting tips along the way.
In her video, Molly shares clever hacks to make the process smoother; from skipping tape when cutting in, to using the right tool for painting along edges, preventing lint from mixing into your paint, and covering large areas quickly. These are the tricks she recommends to make painting less of a chore and a lot more doable.
We do a lot of painting, and Molly shared great tips for both beginners and seasoned DIYers alike! We can’t wait to try using a file folder when cutting in! Commenter @maureen00 loved this tip, too, “Omg I hate taping! Yes! File folders are great, so are old gift boxes. I cut them to the size I need!” @Yeetwood Mac added, “Any thick paper, folder, or chipboard will work if it can slide under the trim. Also helpful for painting doors you don’t want to remove first.”
Related: Bold New Paint Trends Are Expected to ‘Gain Huge Momentum’ in 2026
More Helpful Painting Tips
One trick Molly didn’t mention, but that we always swear by, is using a plastic paint tray liner inside the metal tray. When you’re done painting, you can just toss the liner for almost no cleanup. Even easier? Slip the entire paint tray into a plastic trash bag and pour the paint right into it. It’s completely mess-free!
If you need to pause mid-project, don’t stress. Wrap your paintbrush or roller in plastic wrap to keep the paint from drying out. For longer breaks, like overnight, pop the wrapped brush or roller in the fridge to keep the paint fresh and ready to go.
And always keep a damp rag or baby wipes handy while painting. If you accidentally get paint on trim, floors, or hardware, wiping it off immediately is so much easier than trying to scrape it off later once it’s dry!
This story was originally reported by Parade Home & Garden on Sep 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade Home & Garden as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
