You’ve chosen your colour. You’ve chosen your paint. You’ve chosen your sheen. Now make sure you have everything you need to give your space the refresh it deserves. From the best brushes and rollers for painting to the extras that will make your project a whole lot easier, we’re breaking down our list of the best painting supplies and sharing our top recommendations so you’ll be ready to paint with confidence.
Must-Have Painting Materials and Equipment
Whether you’re a painting newbie or a seasoned pro, prep for your upcoming project with our detailed painting supplies list. Shop online and pick up in store at your local retailer to get everything you need. If you love one-stop shopping, try our Benjamin Moore Painting Tool Kit, which includes six of our most popular high-quality painting supplies.
Have a project that’s slightly more challenging? Bring this list to the experts at your locally owned Benjamin Moore store to find out what will work best for you.
A Durable Paint Tray
A sturdy metal paint tray is a must-have, especially when you are using a roller to apply Benjamin Moore paint.
“The ribbed roll-off area helps remove excess paint,” explains Mike Mundwiller, Senior Manager of End User Product Experience at Benjamin Moore. This feature lets you strike the right balance of holding plenty of paint on your roller cover and avoiding a too-thick layer of paint on your wall.
Sturdy Plastic Paint Tray Liners
Plastic tray liners are a key component of our painting equipment list, as they help with fast and easy cleanup. We recommend using disposable liners made from recycled plastic.
“When you’re done painting for the day, simply pour the excess paint from the liner into the paint can, allow the paint to dry, then throw the liner away in your recycling bin,” says Mundwiller. “This way, your paint tray stays clean and is ready to go for next time.”
High-Quality Angle Sash Paintbrush
No list of essential painting supplies would be complete without a paintbrush—but with so many to choose from, how do you know which paintbrush is right for your project?
“When it comes to paintbrushes, synthetic bristles—like nylon or polyester—are the most practical for latex paints,” explains Mundwiller. “Synthetic bristles are the most popular with both homeowners and painting professionals.”
Here’s what you need to know about angled sash paintbrushes:
- Bristles are cut at an angle.
- Angled paintbrushes are the best for cutting in.
- They are the preferred paintbrush for painting larger trim, woodwork, and moulding, or any surface that requires detailed painting work.
Questions? Ask the experts at your locally owned Benjamin Moore store or see our tips for choosing the best paintbrushes.
Roller Cage Frame
If you’ll be rolling paint (and we recommend you do!), a roller cage frame is a must-buy.
“Just like a paintbrush, your roller frame should feel comfortable in your hand,” says Mundwiller. “The right roller cage should roll paint on smoothly, as well as keep fatigue low while you are painting.”
Visit your locally owned store to try a few paint roller frames and find the one that works best for you.
Paint Roller Covers
Paint roller covers come in two basic types of materials: woven and knitted.
For projects where speed and coverage are key, knitted roller covers are the better choice, as they hold more paint and cover larger areas efficiently.
For a flawless, lint-free finish, DIYers and painting professionals alike should put woven roller covers on their list of painting supplies. Woven rollers work well with all paint sheens, and they hold up to three times more paint than standard roller covers. “They are especially great for semi-gloss and high-gloss interior paints,” says Mundwiller.
Still not sure which roller cover is best for you? Check out our tips for choosing the best paint roller covers.
Plastic Drop Cloth
A plastic drop cloth protects floors and furniture from spills and drips simply and efficiently. Like a plastic tray liner, a plastic drop cloth can be easily discarded once your job is finished for a quick cleanup.
If you plan to paint frequently, you may want to invest in a reusable, washable canvas drop cloth.
High-Quality Painter’s Tape
Essential for creating clean lines and protecting trim and other surfaces from paint drips, painter’s tape is a key item on any painting supply list. It adheres securely and peels away easily from most surfaces, such as smooth or lightly textured walls, trim, baseboards, and glass.
Our high-quality painter’s tape resists paint bleed-through and is offered in 38 mm (1½ inch) and 51 mm (2 inch) widths so you can choose the one that works best for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What supplies are needed to paint a room?
A. At a base level, the supplies needed to paint a room include merely your favourite interior paint and a paintbrush. However, Benjamin Moore’s list of essential painting supplies has all the items you’ll need to make the job easier and more enjoyable, including high-quality angle sash paintbrushes, microfiber roller covers, a roller cage frame, a plastic or canvas drop cloth, and painter’s tape.
Q. How much paint will I need to paint a room?
A. Before buying paint, estimate exactly how much you’ll need with Benjamin Moore's helpful paint calculator, or talk to the experts at your locally owned store.
Q. What are the best paintbrushes for achieving a smooth finish?
A. A high-quality 6.4 cm (2½ inch) flat sash paintbrush is ideal for excellent leveling and smoothing when covering flat surfaces, while a 5 cm (2 inch) foam brush is useful for applying a smooth finish of paint or stain on cabinetry, furniture, trim, and more.
For cutting in or painting larger trim, Benjamin Moore experts suggest using a 6.4 cm (2½ inch) angle sash brush.
Q. Should I apply paint with a brush or roller?
A. No matter which paint applicator you prefer, using high-quality painting supplies will make all the difference. We love rolling paint onto a wall for a smooth finish and following up with an angle sash brush on trim and corners for a uniform look.
Q. What are the best painting tools for my project?
A. Whether you’re a painting newbie or a seasoned pro, the essential painting supplies are high-quality paintbrushes, rollers, and drop cloths. Don’t know where to start? Our Benjamin Moore Painting Tool Kit features six high-quality essentials for your upcoming project.
