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How to Paint Baseboards with Carpet (Without Ruining Anything) Download Article Give your walls a new look with this simple DIY guide Co-authored by Jeff Baldwin and Eric McClure
Last Updated: March 21, 2025 Fact Checked
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Preparing Your Baseboards for Painting
|
Masking the Carpet Off
|
Applying the Paint
|
Expert Q&A
|
Tips
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 55,460 times.
Wondering how you can give your baseboards a fresh coat of paint without ruining your carpet or messing up your trim? While this might seem like an impossible task, there are a handful of tricks and tips here that will make this easier than you could ever imagine. In this article, we’ll show you how to paint your baseboards without risking your carpet. Read on to learn everything you’d ever need to know about painting baseboards with carpet.
Painting Baseboards and Floor Molding
You’ll need a drop cloth and painter’s tape to keep paint off of your carpet and wall.
Tuck the carpet underneath the bottom of the trim using a putty knife.
If you’re really worried about getting paint on your carpet, use a painter’s tray or a metal sheet to manually guide your brush.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Preparing Your Baseboards for Painting
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1 Lay a drop cloth down along the wall you’re painting. You can use a plastic or cloth drop cloth. Lay it down along the wall where your carpet meets the baseboard. This will prevent any paint or wood dust from ruining your carpet.[1]XResearch source
If you don’t have a drop cloth, any non-porous material will work. Trash bags can work in a pinch!
If you’re working in a larger room, move your drop cloth around the room as you paint.
2 Mask off the bottom of your wall with painter’s tape. Lay the tape along the bottom of your wall to cover the drywall directly above the baseboard. Pull the tape out 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) at a time and gently press it against the wall so that it’s flush with the drywall.[2]X Expert Source Jeff BaldwinResidential PainterExpert Interview
Painter’s tape isn’t always perfect and paint can bleed through it on occasion. Use it as a guide, not a perfect safety measure, and try to avoid hitting it with your brush when you paint.
Repeat this process until every wall in your room is taped off.
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3 Clean your baseboards and sand them down if necessary. Take a damp cloth and wipe your baseboards and remove any dust that might get trapped in your paint. Let the boards air dry. Use 100-180 grit sandpaper to sand the wood and make painting easier. Take a small sheet of sandpaper and rub it gently along a section of baseboard by using back-and-forth strokes until you see the previous layer of paint smoothing into the wood. Wipe your boards with a dry cloth after sanding.[3]XResearch source
If your baseboards are brand new or haven’t been painted multiple times in the past, you don’t need to sand them down.
Be careful when sanding the upper and lower sections of your baseboard near the wall and carpet. You don’t want to scuff the walls while you work.
Let your baseboards air dry for at least an hour before you paint them. You don’t want to capture any moisture in the wood.
Wear a dust mask when sanding your baseboards to prevent the inhalation of wood dust.
Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 3:
Masking the Carpet Off
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1 Lay painter’s tape over the drop cloth where it meets the baseboard. Pull out a section of tape that’s roughly 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) long and place it gently with the sticky side down over your carpet and drop cloth where it meets the baseboard. Don’t press down.[4]XResearch source
You can use packing or masking tape instead of painter’s tape if you’d like. Duct tape will rip up your carpet, so avoid that stuff.
Alternatively, you can try gently tugging on the carpet to see if it comes up. If it does come up, you can roll the edge of the carpet under itself to create a gap for your paint brush.[5]XResearch source
2 Tuck the tape under the trim with a putty knife. Stick your knife at a 15-degree angle to the floor and place it in between the board and the carpet. Press gently into the wall to pull the tape that was resting on the bottom of the baseboard underneath it. Run your putty knife in between the carpet and the wall for every section of the room. Press your tape down lightly when you’re done.[6]X Expert Source Jeff BaldwinResidential PainterExpert Interview
The 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of tape that was sitting on the bottom of your baseboard should now be tucked underneath your baseboard. This will prevent drips from sneaking under the tape and damaging your carpet.
3 Use a paint guard if you want extra protection. You can use a trim paint guard or a metal sheet to provide additional protection as you paint. To use a paint guard, put the long edge on top of the tape where it meets the baseboard. Press it down into your carpet and slide it under your baseboard to 100% cover your carpet.
You can use a metal sheet or any firm straight edge instead of a paint guard if you’d like. One alternative is to use a slat from a window blind with the round side facing up.
If you use a paint guard, clean it with a rag after painting each section.
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Applying the Paint
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1 Mix your paint with a mixing stick and pour it into your paint tray. While standing on your drop cloth, use a flathead screwdriver to carefully pry your can open. Use a mixing stick to mix your paint until the color is even and uniform. Pour 1⁄4–1⁄2 gallon (0.95–1.89 L) into your paint tray and use your brush to wipe away any drips running along the side of your can.[7]XResearch source
Most people use semi-gloss paint for baseboards and trim. You can use oil-based or latex paint depending on the sheen that want.
Oil-based paint will last for a longer period of time, but it will reflect light more brightly.
Open the windows in the room that you’re painting to prevent the paint fumes from overwhelming you.
2 Dip an angle brush in the paint and tap it in the tray. A 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) brush is ideal for baseboards. Dip the tip of your brush into the paint so that the tip of your brush is covered in paint. Tap the brush into the dry section of your paint tray to remove excess paint.[8]XResearch source
You can use a flat brush if you prefer, but an angle brush will make it easier to reach the very bottom of your baseboard, since you can get a flat cut by holding it at 45 degrees.
Feel free use a nylon or natural brush—both will work well for baseboards.
3 Start with the middle of the baseboard, then paint the top. Use back-and-forth strokes to apply your paint. Cover each section of baseboard 2-3 times. Once the majority of the paint on your brush has been applied, paint the portion directly above it near the tape on the drywall. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and only brush the top in the direction of the brush’s angle to monitor the accuracy of your cut.[9]XResearch source
Work slowly when painting along the edge, and work in 1 foot (30 cm) increments.
4 Paint the bottom of your baseboard carefully and slowly. Once you’ve painted the top and middle of your board, dip your brush into the paint tray and tap it repeatedly to remove most of the paint. Then, tilt your brush so that it’s at a 45-degree angle with the long end facing the carpet. Press your brush into the board and move very slowly and carefully along the bottom of the baseboard.[10]XResearch source
If you’re using a paint guard, hold it in place with your nondominant hand. Only brush along the section where you’re holding the paint guard.
To remove and reset a paint guard, press it down into the carpet and slowly slide it out. Wipe it clean, move it to a different section of your baseboard, and slide it between the baseboard and carpet.
5 Work your way around the room in 1 foot (30 cm) increments. If you’re using a paint guard, bring it with you as you work. Move your drop cloth with you as you paint so that it’s always underneath the section that you’re painting. Always work from the middle to the top before painting the bottom.[11]XResearch source
Avoid drips by covering each section in the middle of your baseboards 2-3 times before moving on.
6 Remove the tape carefully after your paint has dried. Once you’ve let your baseboards dry for 2-3 hours, remove the drop cloth and other painting materials. Pull the long side of the masking tape up a little and slide it out from under your baseboard. Slowly pull it out in sections to avoid rubbing any dry paint on your carpet.[12]XResearch source
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Expert Q&A
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Question How do I protect my carpet when painting baseboards? Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter Expert Answer Apply a line of painter's tape on your carpet and tuck it underneath the baseboards. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6
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Tips
If you do accidentally get paint on your carpet, dab it repeatedly with a damp cloth to lift as much up as you possibly can. If you can’t lift it out, try using soapy water. If that still doesn’t get the job done, try dabbing it with alcohol.[13]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Things You’ll Need
Drop cloth
Painter’s tape
Putty knife
Sandpaper (optional)
Natural or nylon angled brush
Paint guard (optional)
Paint tray
Paint
Mixing stick
Rag
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Co-authored by: Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. This article has been viewed 55,460 times. 5 votes - 100% Co-authors: 3Updated: March 21, 2025 Views: 55,460 Categories: Painting
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter Co-authors: 3Updated: March 21, 2025 Views: 55,460100% of readers found this article helpful. 5 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
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Download Article Give your walls a new look with this simple DIY guide Co-authored by Jeff Baldwin and Eric McClure 
How to Replace Baseboards: A Beginner’s Guide 
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Co-authored by: Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. This article has been viewed 55,460 times. 5 votes - 100% Co-authors: 3 Updated: March 21, 2025 Views: 55,460 Categories: Painting 
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1 Lay a drop cloth down along the wall you’re painting. You can use a plastic or cloth drop cloth. Lay it down along the wall where your carpet meets the baseboard. This will prevent any paint or wood dust from ruining your carpet.[1] 
2 Mask off the bottom of your wall with painter’s tape. Lay the tape along the bottom of your wall to cover the drywall directly above the baseboard. Pull the tape out 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) at a time and gently press it against the wall so that it’s flush with the drywall.[2] 
3 Clean your baseboards and sand them down if necessary. Take a damp cloth and wipe your baseboards and remove any dust that might get trapped in your paint. Let the boards air dry. Use 100-180 grit sandpaper to sand the wood and make painting easier. Take a small sheet of sandpaper and rub it gently along a section of baseboard by using back-and-forth strokes until you see the previous layer of paint smoothing into the wood. Wipe your boards with a dry cloth after sanding.[3] 
1 Lay painter’s tape over the drop cloth where it meets the baseboard. Pull out a section of tape that’s roughly 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) long and place it gently with the sticky side down over your carpet and drop cloth where it meets the baseboard. Don’t press down.[4] 
2 Tuck the tape under the trim with a putty knife. Stick your knife at a 15-degree angle to the floor and place it in between the board and the carpet. Press gently into the wall to pull the tape that was resting on the bottom of the baseboard underneath it. Run your putty knife in between the carpet and the wall for every section of the room. Press your tape down lightly when you’re done.[6] 
3 Use a paint guard if you want extra protection. You can use a trim paint guard or a metal sheet to provide additional protection as you paint. To use a paint guard, put the long edge on top of the tape where it meets the baseboard. Press it down into your carpet and slide it under your baseboard to 100% cover your carpet. 
1 Mix your paint with a mixing stick and pour it into your paint tray. While standing on your drop cloth, use a flathead screwdriver to carefully pry your can open. Use a mixing stick to mix your paint until the color is even and uniform. Pour 1⁄4–1⁄2 gallon (0.95–1.89 L) into your paint tray and use your brush to wipe away any drips running along the side of your can.[7] 
2 Dip an angle brush in the paint and tap it in the tray. A 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) brush is ideal for baseboards. Dip the tip of your brush into the paint so that the tip of your brush is covered in paint. Tap the brush into the dry section of your paint tray to remove excess paint.[8] 
3 Start with the middle of the baseboard, then paint the top. Use back-and-forth strokes to apply your paint. Cover each section of baseboard 2-3 times. Once the majority of the paint on your brush has been applied, paint the portion directly above it near the tape on the drywall. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and only brush the top in the direction of the brush’s angle to monitor the accuracy of your cut.[9] 
4 Paint the bottom of your baseboard carefully and slowly. Once you’ve painted the top and middle of your board, dip your brush into the paint tray and tap it repeatedly to remove most of the paint. Then, tilt your brush so that it’s at a 45-degree angle with the long end facing the carpet. Press your brush into the board and move very slowly and carefully along the bottom of the baseboard.[10] 
5 Work your way around the room in 1 foot (30 cm) increments. If you’re using a paint guard, bring it with you as you work. Move your drop cloth with you as you paint so that it’s always underneath the section that you’re painting. Always work from the middle to the top before painting the bottom.[11] 
6 Remove the tape carefully after your paint has dried. Once you’ve let your baseboards dry for 2-3 hours, remove the drop cloth and other painting materials. Pull the long side of the masking tape up a little and slide it out from under your baseboard. Slowly pull it out in sections to avoid rubbing any dry paint on your carpet.[12] Advertisement 
Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.