Who this guide is for
- Homeowners with decorators booked
- People decorating in an occupied home
- Anyone wanting the job to run smoothly
- Owners coordinating decorating with other work
Clear the rooms
Move furniture out where you can, or to the centre and covered if not. Take down pictures, curtains, and anything on the walls, and clear surfaces. The more open the room, the faster and safer the work.
Confirm with your decorator what they expect cleared and what they will handle themselves.
- Remove or centre and cover furniture
- Take down wall hangings and curtains
- Clear surfaces and small items
- Confirm what the decorator expects cleared
Protect the home
Beyond the room being decorated, plan to protect floors, the access route, and adjacent finished areas from dust and traffic. Decorators will protect the work zone, but agreeing how the rest of the home is kept clean avoids surprises.
A little protection planning keeps the whole home tidy through the job.
- Protect floors and the access route
- Shield adjacent finished areas
- Agree who provides protection materials
Confirm finishes and choices
Settle colours, finishes, and any feature areas before work begins. Changing your mind mid-job causes delay and cost, so confirming choices, and viewing samples in the room's light, is worth doing in advance.
Clear decisions let the decorator order and prepare correctly.
Plan access and the household
Agree timings, who is home, parking, and how pets and children stay clear of wet paint and equipment. Ventilation and drying also affect how the household uses rooms during the job.
Clarifying these practicalities up front keeps the job on track and the home livable.
- Agree timings and who is present
- Confirm parking and access
- Keep pets and children clear of the work
- Plan how rooms are used while drying
Decorating preparation checklist
- 1Clear or centre and cover furniture
- 2Take down wall hangings and curtains
- 3Confirm what the decorator expects cleared
- 4Protect floors and the access route
- 5Shield adjacent finished areas
- 6Settle colours and finishes in advance
- 7View samples in the room's light
- 8Agree timings, access, and keeping pets clear
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving rooms half-cleared on the day
- Failing to protect floors and adjacent areas
- Changing colour choices mid-job
- Not viewing samples in the room's own light
- Overlooking parking and access arrangements
- Letting pets or children near wet paint
When to involve a professional
- Surface preparation and the decorating work belong to the decorator.
- What the decorator expects cleared varies; confirm in advance.
- Ventilation and drying considerations vary by product and conditions.
- Costs and timelines vary by rooms, finish, and access.
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
How much should I clear before decorators arrive?
As much as you can, ideally removing furniture or centring and covering it, taking down wall hangings and curtains, and clearing surfaces. Confirm with your decorator what they expect cleared and what they will handle, so the room is ready as needed.
Will the decorators protect the rest of my home?
They will protect the work zone, but agree in advance how floors, the access route, and adjacent finished areas are kept clean. Clarifying who provides protection materials avoids surprises and keeps the whole home tidy.
When should I finalise colours and finishes?
Before work begins. Changing your mind mid-job causes delay and cost, so settle choices in advance and view samples in the room's own light. Clear decisions let the decorator order and prepare correctly.
Can I stay in the home during decorating?
Often, but plan how rooms are used while paint dries, and keep pets and children clear of wet surfaces and equipment. Agreeing timings, access, and ventilation up front keeps the job on track and the home livable.
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