Don’t just slap some paint on those walls! Do it right the first time and get MUCH better results. Use these supplies for a fab paint job.
It’s time for a change.
You know you want to turn your home into a canvas, but you also want to be prepared. There’s nothing worse than starting a job only to find out you don’t have everything you need.
Grab some paper — it’s time to make a list!
You’re going to want to include our favorite paint supplies for repainting your home.
They’ll make your project a breeze.
- For those renting an apartment, make sure to check in with your property manager before going through with any repainting.
Page Contents
1. Patching Supplies
Don’t even think about starting until you address any damage.
Find any nail holes or cracks on your walls and take the time to mend them before you do anything else.
Your paint job will come out a lot smoother and look much cleaner without underlying damage disturbing the fresh coat.
There are simple options such as hole filler for small damage. Or you can go the whole spackle route to take care of that hideous crack that was there before you moved in.
Don’t skip this step!
What’s the point of repainting everything if it’s not going to look the best it possibly can in the end?
2. Drop Cloth
It’s inevitable.
No matter how careful you are, no matter how slowly you move, you’re going to drop paint at some point. There’s no avoiding it. It happens to everyone.
Save yourself the headache of cleaning up by laying out drop cloths.
Plastic drop cloths are inexpensive and totally worth the effort of laying them out. You can even use overlapped trash bags to protect your floors and furniture if you don’t want to make another run to the store.
You’ll be grateful you went to the trouble when you’re done.
3. Paper Towels
Keep a roll of paper towels on hand to catch any unexpected messes in a hurry.
Whether you totally miss the drop cloth or get paint somewhere it’s not supposed to be, you can quickly fix the problem before it becomes permanent.
You may not end up needing them, but are you willing to take that risk?
4. Tape
Painter’s tape will be your best friend.
You want to get the blue painter’s tape that’s used for marking off areas. It’s specifically made to cover window sills, outlets, and trim while you work.
Unlike other kinds of tape, you can apply, paint over, and remove it without leaving any damage behind.
And it will leave your paint job looking clean and crisp!
5. Paint Rollers
Paint rollers cover large areas like walls quickly and evenly. You can cover entire walls efficiently without the worry of brush strokes.
Make sure you buy plenty of paint roller refills!
The last thing you want is a worn-out roller leaving fuzz and lint on your walls. By the time the paint dries, there’s no getting that out.
But Which Paint Roller?
That’s a great question!
A good rule of thumb is to use a longer nap for rougher surfaces and a shorter nap for smoother surfaces.
For painting over bricks and masonry, a 3/4 inch nap is perfect for covering the surface as well as reaching into the gaps. A short nap is best for smooth surfaces. Otherwise, you risk leaving an orange peel sort of texture on your walls.
Large rollers are perfect for walls and ceilings, and small rollers are best for doors and cabinets.
6. Paint Brushes
These little guys come in handy once the majority of the painting is done.
After you take your tape down, you can use small, angled brushes to touch up around the windows and trim.
Just make sure you’ve got a steady hand or all that taping off will be for nothing, and you’ll have some paint removal to take care of.
Some painters even prefer to use large square-cut brushes to paint entire walls. While it takes longer, they also use up less paint than rollers.
Good quality paintbrushes are great to have around for any project.
7. Paint Trays
Trays are the way to go for single room projects that don’t require a ton of paint.
You can get plastic or metal paint trays. You can find ones that can attach directly to a ladder. And they usually come in 7 or 9-inch sizes.
The 9-inch paint trays are a good way to go so that any roller you get will fit inside it.
Paint trays will last you through many projects. They are durable enough to reuse and easy enough to clean up after the fact.
If you want to make your life easier, grab some disposable paint tray liners.
That way, when you’re finished painting, you can simply take the liner out and throw it away, keeping your clean up to a minimum.
8. A Bucket
For bigger scale projects, a bucket is definitely the way to go.
Not only do you avoid having to refill your paint trays multiple times, but you also keep the color consistent throughout the entire project.
Grab yourself a five-gallon bucket and dump all your cans of paint in.
Once you mix it all together, you will have one color that’s sure to remain the same no matter how deep you get into painting. And no refills required!
9. Paint Stirrer
Most of the time, you can expect to get a paint stirrer free with whatever paint you buy.
It’s just a wooden stick used to stir paint.
Don’t start pouring and applying paint to your walls without giving it a good stir. You need to make sure it’s good and mixed together.
Just like using a bucket, stirring your paint ensures the color is consistent throughout the can. It’s better than finding out after you’re done that things are a little uneven.
10. Primer
Don’t forget to prime your walls!
A nice coat of primer will get everything ready for the beautiful color you chose. It helps the paint adhere to the surface, keeps the paint more durable, and adds another layer of protection.
Try a stain-free primer to keep your walls cleaner and more resistant!
These days you can find paints that have a primer built right in, which means you only need a single coat rather than two.
11. Paint
You can’t repaint your home without paint.
All you have to do is choose your paint color and then pick up your paint.
Easy, peasy, right?
You will need around 1 gallon of paint for every 400 square feet you’re planning to cover. So, plan accordingly!
You’ve got your list. Time to go shopping!
Once you have our favorite paint supplies for repainting your home, all you’ll need is your determination to get the job done.
Better yet, find a few helping hands!
Your home is going to look amazing — no doubt about it.
Author Bio:
Ryan Sundling is a Group Marketing Manager at Cardinal Group Management. He has over ten years of experience in the student housing industry and works with Cottages at Tucson every day to help them with their marketing efforts.
