It really depends on the room and the existing surface to be painted. If it's something like a really deep purple and you want to take it to a lighter color, you might need to go with one or two coats of primer before getting a truly good result. Otherwise the dark color will just show through.

Some people will think that by using a primer/paint combination, that will be good enough. But the reality is that if you're going for a big change, you're probably going to need to go straight primer first, then paint.

Also, if you're painting directly on to drywall, you want to use a primer. That will help the paint stick on the drywall. Without it, your results will be less than what you had hoped for.

Another time you definitely want to prime first is if you're repainting kitchen or bathroom cabinets. In a situation like this you should really clean up the cabinets with TSP first (Trisodium Phosphate). Apply some TSP with a sponge to clean up and slightly roughen the area to help the paint adhere properly. Use a clean water sponge to follow up the TSP, then let the cabinets dry before priming and finally painting them.

A lot of people like to do this as it's a relatively quick, fairly inexpensive way of really sprucing things up. For example you can give a bathroom vanity a new coat of stain or paint and really breathe new life into it. This is something that gets done a lot on investment properties - whether it's for a rental or a property flip. Kitchen and bathroom renovations really help in those situations.

Keep in mind that light or white colors are very appealing to the eye and make rooms look more spacious, but they'll also be more difficult to keep looking clean. One way to help yourself with the cleaning battle, regardless of the color you choose, is to go with at least an eggshell or semi-gloss finish. It'll wipe up and clean up so much more easily and is a better choice for areas that may get damp or greasy.

As mentioned above, there can be a pretty wide spectrum of prices, especially when it comes to paints. Not only between different brands, but within the same brand you'll see different levels of quality (and prices).

Behr is a good paint that we like to use at Hammer and Nail that you can get at Home Depot. They have a variety of versions such as Behr, Behr Pro, Behr Premium, Behr Marquee, Behr Premium Plus and Behr Premium Plus ULTRA. So be ready to make some decisions! But keep in mind that in general, you get what you pay for. Meaning if you're OK with a mediocre result, you don't have to spend top dollar. If you want exceptional results, don't expect to get that by saving a few dollars when buying your paint.

As for primers, there are really 2 brands that are our go-to brands, and those are Kilz and Bulls Eye. Some of the specialty paint stores like Dunn-Edwards and Sherwin-Williams have their own branded primers which are probably just fine as well.

Our personal preference is Bulls Eye because after adding it, you're able to paint as soon as 30 minutes later, which is very convenient.

Cleaning surfaces is super important whether you're talking about exterior or interior painting. A lot of people don't really think about it on when painting the inside, but it's amazing how much grime and dust actually accumulates on your walls. Without cleaning them, your paint isn't going to stick to the wall as well as it could.

In fact, to make sure you get really good adhesion, using TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) to clean the walls will help a lot. Not only does it clean of oils and other dirt and grime, but it adds a very light abrasion to the surface - almost like a very light grit sandpaper. Clean and "scored" with the TSP, you're set for a good surface to paint on.

For applying it (the TSP), you can just get a big sponge at any home improvement store. They're usually a yellow/orange color. You'll want 2 - one to apply the TSP water and another with clean water to wipe the walls down after the TSP. For bigger areas and tall walls, you can use an inexpensive sponge mop which will work really well for you.