10 Essential Painting Tools Every Painter Starter Kit Should Have

Before you even pick up a paintbrush, ensure your DIY kit is topped up with these essential tools for painting. While there are some obvious inclusions (hello, brushes and rollers!), there may be a few items you didn’t know were necessary. Whether you’re a DIY newbie or a seasoned painting pro, these are the essential tools you’ll need to succeed.

Part of painting essential tools a paint can, paint brush and roller and tray with yellow paint sit on a cotton drop cloth on a wood floor against a white wall

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Drop It

Canvas Drop Cloths:

Yes, cotton drop cloths definitely cost more than their plastic counterparts. But by investing in cloth the first time around, you’ll have these furniture/floor-savers for a lifetime of painting projects.

Dap Drydex being applied to a yellow wall as part of painting essential tools

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Dip Dap

Ready-to-Use Spackling:

A good paint job is all in the prep work. Taking the time to fill nail holes and patch scratches is key to a beautifully painted room. Dap Drydex (237 mL, $4.76, The Home Depot) is a user-friendly filler that goes on pink but dries white. Now you’ll know exactly when the patches are ready to paint.

Worker holding out putty knife a tool included in painting kit of essential tools

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Putty in Your Hand

Putty Knife:

One of the most essential tools of painting has nothing to do with paint. Use the humble 2.5-inch putty knife to fill holes, open paint cans, or remove extra-sticky painting tape. This multipurpose tool is a must.

Group of two whole grey and green abrasive block sponges work sanding sponge isolated on white background as part of a painting kit essential tools

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Sand It to Me

Sanding Sponges:

Rather than faffing around with different sandpapers, pick up a fine-grain sanding sponge. It’s easier to use and can be wetted down to cut back on dust.

Tranquil scene of a ladder and paint as part of a painting starter kit of essential tools

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Moving On Up

Sturdy Ladder:

This will be the priciest piece in your painting starter kit. But an aluminum or fibreglass ladder is well worth the money. Look for a style with plenty of places to secure all your new essential tools.

Close up of painter hands with gloves painting the wall edge with brush. Hand painting above molding, baseboard as part of a painting starter kit of essential tools

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Caught On Tape

Painter’s Tape:

Taping up baseboard edges, light switches and power outlets can be a tedious job. But for a drip-free finish, it’s absolutely necessary. Tip: Check how long the tape will stay on before it loses its adhesiveness.

Paintbrushes on two metal bucket with green and pink pigments for renovation works on concrete grey background as part of a painting starter kit of essential tools

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Don’t Bristle

Quality Paint Brushes:

Using high-quality brushes from the get-go will save you headaches (and disappointing results). A 2.5-inch angled brush is ideal for trim and cutting in.

Paint roller applying teal coloured paint to white wall as part of a painting starter kit of essential tools

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Just Roll with It

Rollers:

Rollers with a synthetic core and 3/8-inch nap will get almost any job done. Also pick up an extension pole that can reach the top of walls and ceiling.

Close up of a person painting a wall as part of painting kit of essential tools

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Tray Chic

Plastic Roller Tray:

Bypass metal roller trays and wasteful plastic inserts, and choose a hard-plastic tray instead. Latex paint will wash right off and it’ll last you a lifetime.

Washing a paintbrush under a running tap as part of a painting starter kit of essential tools

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Wash It All Away

Paint Brush Cleaner:

Since you’ve hunted down these essential tools, it only makes sense to take good care of them. Pick up a paint-brush cleaner to keep bristles ready for your next painting project.