As tempting as it is to skip the prep work, this is a huge mistake. Uneven surfaces and wobbly edges are a no-go for today's savvy home buyers. Unless you're hiring a painter and decorator you'll need to fill, sand, clean and prime your walls and woodwork to get a flawless finish like in this GoodHome by B&Q dining room, before you pick up your paint roller.

There are some DIY hacks to make this job easier, including lining your paint tray with a plastic bag before you pour in the paint. When you are finished, simply remove the bag and you won't have to scrub the tray.

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