Painting a Two-Story Room

These tips will help you safely and quickly paint a two-story space.

Matt Fox gives these tips to safely paint a two-story room:

Place a pair of ladder mitts over the top of the ladder to protect the walls and keep the ladder from slipping on the wall.
A 24-foot extension ladder can reach most second stories and is graded to hold up to 280 pounds, so it's really sturdy. This is an excellent choice for foyers, great rooms and family rooms where higher ceilings are really popular.
To move a ladder properly and safely, bring down the top half first by pulling the ladder away from the wall. Lift to unhook it; lower it and lock it. Then, using your body for leverage, lift the entire ladder straight up so it's parallel with the walls. As you lift and move it, keep an eye out for any overhead obstacles like fans and lights. Put the ladder's feet into position, and then raise the top half back up and lower it gently against the wall.
For a carpeted surface, lay tarps under the ladder before moving it. If working on hardwood floors, make sure the ladder feet are resting on the solid surface (not a tarp or a rug) or it will slide. It's also a good idea to have someone spot you when you start climbing the ladder.