The Number One Tip Joanna Gaines Swears By For A Perfect Paint Job Every Time

Never underestimate the way paint can transform a room. A simple coat of a new color can change the mood of the room, liven it up, and make it feel brand new. Plus, paint is a fairly inexpensive and DIY method of home renovation. Still, many homeowners may find the process of painting their interiors a tricky one. Trying to get that perfectly straight line or perfectly even coat can take some practice. Luckily, Joanna Gaines of "Fixer Upper" and Magnolia Network's "Fixer Upper: Welcome Home" has the trick that will allow anyone to create a perfect paint job.

Another plus of the tip: it doesn't require any special tools or products. Gaines' magic ingredient is water. "You want to start with your two-inch angled sash, but before you start painting, you want to condition your brush first," Gaines says via YouTube. "So, you're going to simply dip it in some water and shake the water off." A quick dip in water allows for a smoother application of paint. "What this does is it makes the paint come off the brush easier and it makes the final clean up a lot simpler," Gaines explains. Adding virtually no time and requiring no special products, anyone can make their paint job look professional.

Dipping a paintbrush in water before the paint helps to condition the brush. However, it's important to note that dipping a brush in water works best for water-based paints, whereas oil-based paints are best dipped in mineral turpentine. The brush you use also makes a difference in the final product. Joanna Gaines mentions using a sash brush, which has an angled edge and is best used for painting near trim and molding. However, a 3-inch flat brush works best for large areas, Gaines explains in a YouTube video, while a 2-and-a-half-inch brush is ideal for medium-sized areas.

Furthermore, you should submerge the entire brush. After dipping it in water, you only want to dip the brush about 1 inch into the paint. Be cautious about getting paint on the metal band of the brush, called a ferrule. When paint gets underneath the metal band, it can make the bristles fall out. By perfecting the technique of dipping your brush in water before painting and in the paint can itself, you can ensure your walls and trim will look professionally done.