Paint Like a Pro with These Must Have Tools

The key to a "professional" painting job starts with the right tools. This post explains everything you'll need to be prepared for painting rooms in your home, as well as a few extras that you may like to add to your supplies.

RENOVATE | Updated November 19, 2024

The best way to get a profession finish when painting your interior walls and trim is to have the proper tools.

And it's good to be prepared ahead of time....there is nothing worse that prepping a room and popping open that can of paint, then realizing you forgot to buy a paintbrush!

Although it may seem like there is a lot to buy, most items are inexpensive and if cared for properly, can last through many paint jobs. Store everything together in one box so whenever you're ready for a color refresh, you've got what you need.

If you are starting from scratch buying painting tools, be sure to look for painting kits with much of what you'll need in one convenient package. It is cheaper buying everything together when you need it all than purchasing each individual piece. Different kits include vaious sized brushes and rollers depending on what you need.

THE NEXT STEP IN A PRO FINISH: Choosing the right paint sheen...Click to read more.

Must Have Tools for Painting Your Home

PAINT ROLLER AND ROLLER COVER

Using a roller allows for a smooth, professional paint finish and ensures you don't have brush marks on the walls. It also gets the job done faster than using a brush alone.

To paint your walls or ceiling you'll need to have a roller cover and a paint roller frame ★ (this is the handle that the roller slides on to).

Not all roller covers are the same. They vary by type of material (like lambs wool, polyester, or foam), size (anywhere from 5 to 18 inches), and thickness or "nap".

The type you'll need depends on the surface you're covering and the type of paint you're using. Packages will normally explain what the particular material type and nap is best for.

This post about the best paint rollers from Purdy, a paint supply brand, does a great job of explaining the differences.

PAINT TRAY

Because you can't just dip a roller into the can like you would a brush, you need a paint tray to hold your paint.

It is made with a well at one end for the paint to rest connected to an angled textured side where you can roll paint off the roller so it doesn't drip before removing it from the pan. A metal paint tray will last a long time if cleaned after each use.

The Handy Paint Tray ★ is my preferred choice, even though it is made of plastic. It has sturdy handles on both sides to easily move it around the room and can easily hold up to a gallon of paint.

TRAY LINERS

While you can do the added work of washing out the paint tray when you're done painting, it is easiest to buy a plastic tray liner ★that fits inside of your tray. Average liners don't cost much and can be thrown away when the job is done. Not only does this make clean up easy, but it preserves the metal paint tray to be used for many years.

woman holding paint roller painting white wall

VARIETY OF PAINT BRUSHES

You'll need a variety of paint brushes ★ in different sizes depending on what you are painting.

You'll want brushes that are both flat and angled. Flat brushes are necessary on areas of the wall that are too narrow for a roller while angled brushes are best when cutting in around trim, the ceiling, and in corners. Wooster makes a short handled angled sash brush that fits well into tight spaces.

Be sure to look for good quality brushes. Although they can be expensive, this is one area where you don't want to skimp. A good brush is an investment and will last a long time if properly cleaned and cared for. It will give the nicest finish and not shed bristles as you paint.

As with the roller covers, be sure that to pick up paint brushes suited for the type of paint you are using be it latex or oil based. Some brushes are multi-purpose, while others are crafted specifically for one or the other.

PAINT CAN OPENER

Although it is possible to use a screwdriver to open a can of paint, there is a tool created specifically for the job at hand. A paint can opener has a little loop to hook your fingers into and a lip on the other end to attach onto the edge of the paint can lid to pry it up. These cost just a few dollars and can sometimes be picked up on the counter in the paint section for free.

WOOD STIR STICK

Unless you're painting as soon as you come home from the hardware store, the paint needs stirred making sure the pigments and binders are mixed thoroughly. That's why when you open a paint can, the color may not always look like what you had mixed.

These stir sticks are available for free when you purchase a can of paint and can be wiped clean to use again in the future.

If you buy a large 5 gallon can of paint for your whole house, make sure the store offers you a larger stir stick that will reach the bottom of the container. These are available, but not normally sitting out.

DROP CLOTH

When painting a room, especially the ceiling, you want to be sure to protect the furniture and flooring in the space from spills and spatters.

If you are painting just one room, a heavy duty plastic drop cloth ★ will be fine and can be thrown away when you're done with the project. Lightweight options can be picked up at Dollar Tree. These can be great for covering furniture, but the thin plastic can rip easily leaving floors exposed.

If you plan on doing multiple rooms or like to change paint colors often, it is worth it to invest in a few canvas drop cloths ★ that can be used again and again. They come in different sizes depending on how much space you'll need to cover.

PAINTER'S TAPE

Painter's tape ★ is used for masking off areas you don't want to paint, like windows, trim, or electrical plugs and switches or when painting straight lines along the ceiling. It can also be used to securely attach your plastic drop cloths to the floor.

It can be time consuming to tape everything off, however, so if you're steady with a paint brush, you may be more comfortable skipping this step and instead carefully painting by hand.

Paint brushes and roller in plastic covers

Bonus Painting Tools That are Useful to Have

PAINT BRUSH COVER AND ROLLER COVER

When doing multiple coats in a room or when you can't finish the project in one day, what do you do with your paint covered brushes and rollers? They either need to be washed out after each use, which takes time and wastes paint, or they need to be properly stored so they don't dry out.

Although you can wrap the different two tools in plastic wrap or put them in a ziploc bag for short-term storage, there are plastic storage cases that make storing your painting tools between coats so easy.

These plastic paint brush covers and paint roller covers were products I first saw on Shark Tank and they work so well. You can store the tools for weeks if need be in the refrigerator without them drying out.

Then when your project is done, the plastic cases can be easily cleaned of paint residue with soap and water and stored for the next time.

PAINT BRUSH COMB

It can be really difficult to thoroughly clean paint from a paint brush when the job is finished. This special comb has metal prongs that work to gently remove the paint buildup from the brush and straightening the bristles leaving it like new. It is one of those tools that you don't realize how much easier it will make a job until you actually try it for yourself.

ROLLER EXTENSION POLE

If you have low ceilings, you can likely roll your walls while standing on the floor. But if you need to stand on a ladder to reach the highest spots, you may want to invest in a roller extension pole that attaches to the end of your roller frame and can be adjusted to different lengths. They work especially well in a stairway where standing on a ladder is difficult. The poles can either be telescopic, collapsing into a single short pole, or made of individual lengths that are screwed together. They come in both wood and metal options.

PRIMER

Depending on the current color of your walls or the surface you're painting, you may need a primer.

Dark colors are hard to cover requiring multiple coats paint. A primer, which is normally cheaper than a can of paint, cuts down on the amount of pricier paint you need to buy. Many paints now come manufactured with a built-in primer, so take note of that when shopping.

There are different types of primer you may need. Some seal in stains and provide better adhesion for extra smooth surface while other are specially made for things like blocking mold and mildew (great for damp spaces like kitchens and basements).

In my living room, I painted over smooth 1970s style paneling. I needed a primer to help it adhere better to the surface and to cover up the dyes that could show through and later ruining my white painted walls. BIN Primer made by Zinsser ★ is perfect in this instance because it has a shellac base that keeps stains, knots, and sap from bleeding through in wood.

PAINT CUP

Purchasing a paint pail with a handle ★ is really helpful when painting trim, cutting in at the ceiling, or painting in the stairway. You then aren't trying to hold onto a heavy paint can while balancing on a ladder. The plastic pails are lightweight and can be strapped on one hand with your paintbrush in the other. They have a magnetic brush holder so you don't even have to set your brush down anywhere.

There are liners made for these pails ★ just like the paint trays to make clean up really easy.

Know you know that you don't need to spend a lot or buy many things to be prepared for painting your home with a professional touch. Being prepared may even help the renovation task to be fun!

Here is a handy printable for you featuring all of the tools discussed that you can print out or save to your phone as your own shopping list to take to the store.