Before painting, it’s best to move furniture at least 2–3 feet away from the walls you’re working on. This gives enough room to set up a ladder, move freely with rollers and brushes, and avoid accidentally bumping into pieces with wet paint. If the room is small and you can’t move everything out, group furniture in the center and cover it well with plastic or old sheets.
Don’t forget to protect the floor too. A proper drop cloth or plastic sheet along the base of the wall catches drips and splashes. Skimping on this step usually leads to tiny specks of paint on floors and furniture that you only notice later.
The goal is to create a clear, comfortable working zone around each wall. When you’re not squeezing between a sofa and a ladder, you paint better, faster and with fewer accidents. It’s a bit of effort upfront but saves lots of stress and cleaning later.