There’s more than one “correct” order, but many painters prefer to do ceilings first, then walls, then skirting boards and trims last. Painting skirting boards after the walls allows you to cover any wall paint that may have dripped or smudged onto them, and you can cut a clean line where wall meets trim.

However, if you’re refurbishing old skirting that needs a lot of sanding and priming, some people paint the first coat before the walls to reduce the risk of dust sticking to fresh wall paint. Then they do a final neat coat at the end.

Whatever order you choose, good taping and patience at the edges matters more. Use painter’s tape or a steady hand to get a crisp line. If floors are already finished, protect them carefully before working on the skirting, as gloss or satin trim paint is harder to remove than wall emulsion.