It’s easy to paint your home when you have the right tools for the job. That’s why I created the ultimate guide to the 15 essential painting supplies and tools for the home. So whether you’re looking to paint a room or your entire house, you no longer need to hire a professional painter to achieve professional-quality results.
1. Paint Brushes
It’s no secret that high-quality paint brushes are the keystone of any home painting project. The better the brush, the better the result. So skip the big-box store brushes and go with what the pros use – Corona Chimex Excalibur brushes. That’s because Corona brushes provide ultra smooth, clean lines and work flawlessly with any type of paint, stain, or sealant you can throw at them. Make sure to get all three sizes (1″, 1.5″, and 2.5″) so you’ll have the flexibility to tackle any job.
1″ Corona Chimex Excalibur Brush – $12
1.5″ Corona Chimex Excalibur Brush – $14
2.5″ Corona Chimex Excalibur Brush – $18
2. Paint Pail And Liners
Just say no to lugging around awkward paint cans and cheap plastic paint cups. The Bercom paint pail will make your next project a breeze with its adjustable hand strap and built-in magnetic brush holder and scraper. Moreover, it works with any paint or stain. Use it with Bercom liners for easy clean up.
Bercom Handy Paint Pail – $10
Bercom Paint Pail Liners – $4
3. Roller Frame
The Wooster Sherlock roller frame is worth every penny. It firmly keeps your roller covers right where you need them, and rolls paint on smoothly thanks to its internal bearing construction. Plus, it pairs perfectly with all threaded extension poles so you can reach even the highest ceiling.
Wooster Sherlock Roller Frame – $9
4. Roller Covers
Wooster “Pro/Doo-Z” roller covers spread paint like hot butter on your breakfast toast. The high-density woven fabric soaks up and applies the perfect amount of paint, all without shedding unwanted bits of fabric on your freshly painted walls. One roller cover is more than enough to paint most rooms. But get the 3-pack so you’ll have extras on hand for your next project.
3-Pack Wooster Professional Roller Covers – $16
5. Roller Tray And Liners
The Bercom roller tray is the most functional paint tray on the market. It has the capacity to hold up to one gallon of your favorite paint, and will also secure your brushes thanks to its built-in magnet. Like the Bercom paint pail, you can use liners to save time when cleaning up.
Bercom Handy Roller Tray – $10
Bercom Roller Tray Liners – $8
6. Extension Pole
Amateur painters often overlook certain essential paint supplies. Extension poles, like this Mr. LongArm, are one of them. Savvy painters know that a 6-12 foot extension pole will help you easily roll paint on ceilings and hard-to-reach spots, all without needing to climb up and down on a ladder. Works perfectly with your Wooster roller frame.
Mr. LongArm 6-12 Foot Extension Pole – $25
7. Paint Brush And Roller Cleaning Tool
Purdy makes it simple to clean your paint brushes and rollers. Just run them under warm water and use the Purdy brush and comb cleaning tool to wash away your paints and stains. Hang them to dry and you’re good to go.
Purdy Paint Brush and Roller Cleaning Tool – $8
8. Paint Can Opener
A metal paint can opener does exactly what it’s asked to do: open paint cans without any damage. This one also features a handy bottle opener, making it easy to enjoy a cold beer during or after a job.
9. No-Drip Paint Pourer
I’ll admit it. I was a skeptic until I tried the Shur-Line paint pourer. But it made a believer out of me. No longer will you have to suffer through the inevitable paint drips and splatters that occur when mixing or pouring a gallon of paint.
10. Painter’s Tape
Clean paint lines are the hallmark of any great paint job. And that’s what ScotchBlue painter’s tape delivers in spades. You’ll see professional-quality paint lines without any of the damage or residue other tapes leave behind. It’s the painter’s tape that all others are judged by.
2-Pack Scotch Blue Painter’s Tape – $16
11. Drop Cloth
Whether your painting project is big or small, you’ll need a drop cloth to keep paint from getting on your furniture, floors, and carpet. This durable 9′ x 12′ canvas drop cloth fits the bill. Best of all, it’s washable and reusable, so you can finally stop buying all those cheap plastic sheets from Home Depot.
9 x 12 Canvas Drop Cloth – $20
12. Spackling Paste
Spackling is one of the essential painting supplies you need to fix holes in drywall. Like most spackle, this one goes on smooth, dries quickly, and is easy to sand. But what sets this spackle apart is that it goes on pink and then turns white when it’s dry. That way you can easily tell when it’s ready to sand and paint.
13. Putty Knife
The easiest way to apply spackling is to use a flexible putty knife. You can also use a putty knife for a variety of purposes, like scraping paint, applying wood filler, removing flooring, and more. The Purdy 1.5-inch flexible putty knife is the perfect size for your painting and DIY projects.
Purdy Flexible Putty Knife – $7
14. Sanding Blocks
After your spackling has dried, you’ll need to sand down the repaired area so that it matches the rest of your wall. Start with a coarse grit, like 120, and finish with a fine grit, like 220. This will ensure a smooth, even finish. Sanding blocks make the sanding process easy because they fit in the palm of your hand, can be used wet to eliminate spackling dust, and are washable and reusable.
15. Step Ladder
No list of essential painting supplies and tools would be complete without featuring a step ladder. It’s necessary for cutting in against a ceiling, molding, or other hard-to-reach places. A strong and lightweight 6-foot ladder like the Flip-N-Lite is a great choice to handle most home painting needs. But if you live in a loft or have high ceilings and walls, you’ll want to opt for the Little Giant adjustable ladder.
Flip-N-Lite 6-Foot Step Ladder – $88
Little Giant 6-Foot to 10-Foot Adjustable Step Ladder – $265
Concluding Remarks
Everyone knows that a fresh coat of paint can change the entire look and feel of your home. There’s no need to be apprehensive about painting your home because you think you don’t have the necessary skills. Even a complete novice can paint a room that will look amazing, especially when you have the right tools for the job.
But don’t forget, the most important painting tool is something you can’t buy at the store – time. In fact, the biggest mistake I see new painters make is not allocating enough time for the job, especially prep work like patching and sanding holes, taping off molding, and generally rushing paint application.
Take your time, use these essential painting supplies and tools, and enjoy the process. In short, develop a craftsman mindset. When you’re finished don’t be surprised if the next time your friends come over they ask what company painted your home.
All the best,
JD
P.S. Every home, no matter the price, size, or quality, needs regular maintenance to keep things running smoothly for you and your family. That’s why I put together the definitive guide to the 31 Essential Tools Every Man Should Own. While you’re here, take a minute to check out all the tools you’ll need to tackle your next home-improvement project.
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