Whether you feel intimidated by the idea of painting a room, or you have personally painted every home you’ve ever lived in, your skills are only as good as your painting supplies. When it comes to painting, using high-quality paint supplies is the secret to achieving high quality results. We like to say they’re the real MVP of a flawless paint job. So once you settle on the perfect paint color, it’s time to stock up on the right paint supplies to guarantee an expert finish, no matter your level of experience.

To make the process as easy as possible, we’ve put together the ultimate paint supplies list below, covering the essential supplies you need to paint a room (plus our expert tips to help you along). And if you want to save time and money, definitely go with a pre-bundled paint supplies kit, which offers all the painting essentials you need in one convenient set, so you’re literally ready to roll.

1. Painter’s Tape: For Crisp Clean Lines

Proper prep will make your paint application a breeze and help you get a better end result. As steady as your hand may be, the surest trick to creating a clean, straight line is to use painter’s tape. Painter’s tape is designed to be non-damaging to your walls and is great for covering up any areas you don’t want paint to get on such as baseboards (when you’re painting walls) and other hard to paint around items like light fixtures.

Clare Tip: Make sure to clean any surface you plan to apply painter’s tape to. Moldings and baseboards collect dust over time and your tape won’t adhere properly if dust or debris present.

Shop our Painter's Washi Tape

2. Drop Cloths: Protect against drips and spills

Regardless of whether you’re painting an empty room, or a fully furnished one, something in that room will need protecting. Cover up floors and furnishings with durable, leak-proof drop cloths because even if you’ve got the best tools out there, painting is still messy work.

Shop our Drop Cloth

3. Painter’s Tray: So you can load your roller evenly

The purpose of a paint tray is pretty utilitarian: it holds your paint. A sturdy, metal tray is best for painting with a roller and a simple, plastic tray will work fine for smaller applicators like a mini paint roller or paint brush. A tray with a ribbed roll off area will help you load your roller more evenly.

Clare Tip: Look for trays that are both deep and wide enough to accommodate your paint roller and paint.

4. Plastic Tray Liner: Makes Switching Colors and Cleanup a Breeze

Skip buying multiple trays and instead use disposable plastic tray liners, which make quick work of cleanup. Just place it in your tray, pour your paint, and toss it when you’re done. They also protect your paint tray so it lasts longer! At Clare, our Tray Liners are made of recycled water bottles, and are 100% recyclable! (Just be sure to rinse and clean them fully before recycling.)

Shop our heavy duty Metal Paint Tray and reusable Tray Liner

5. Paint Brush: For cutting in and painting trim

Almost any room will require you to “cut in,” the painting term for creating a perfectly straight line of paint around architectural elements like ceilings, doors or windows. The best painting tool to master this technique is a 2" angled paint brush. Look for a brush with a longer handle (sash brush), which allows for better hand control when tackling trim, corners, and edges where the walls meet the ceiling. Always use the highest quality paint brush you can find. Cheaply made paint brushes lead to bristles getting stuck and drying in your paint and can also leave unsightly brush marks.

Clare Tip: Quality paint brushes can be used again and again. To keep them in good condition wash your brush thoroughly after each use. Warm, soapy water works best. Be sure to shake out any excess moisture, and hang the brush to dry completely (there’s a hole in the handle for good reason). For more, read our handy guide on How To Clean a Paint Brush.

Shop our 2" Angled Paint Brush