9 Painting Tools to Update Your Apartment with a Designer Look

The deadline for the “HomeRight Refresh Your Walls Today” contest is November 30, 2018.  In preparation, let’s look into 9 painting tools to update your apartment with a designer look.The “HomeRight Refresh Your Walls Today” challenge is in full swing. While prepping for the painting that will be going on next weekend, I thought it would be helpful to check-out some painting tools and equipment to create a designer look in a small space.  Whether your home is a rental or your own, this list will be super helpful.

Related post: Help Me Choose a Paint Color for My Living Room

9 PAINTING TOOLS TO UPDATE YOUR APARTMENT with A DESIGNER LOOK

We’ll be looking at supplies and materials that range from free to about $50!  Yep… You’ll be happy to know, a couple of these tools are completely FREE!  Free is always good!  And, if you are doing your very first interior painting project, these painting items should have you sitting-pretty to successfully, and EASILY, accomplish your project in less than one day, for less than $150!  Read through to the end to see bonus items to make your project even easier!

Let’s take a look, starting with free!

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1. Paint Can Opener FREE

This item is easily picked up at the paint desk of your favorite paint-supply store!

2. Paint Stir Stick FREE

Again, just pick-up one or ten of these wherever you purchase your paint!

 

3. Plastic drop cloth

I use both a plastic drop cloth and a canvas one.  The plastic one is used to place my painting tools on, away from the painting area.  This way, I’m not stepping on a paint can, opener, stick, etc.

4. Canvas Drop Cloth

I use a canvas drop cloth in the actual room I’m painting.  I know it is a bit more expensive than plastic, and it’s not disposable (unless you WANT to throw it away afterwards), but I find the canvas drop cloth doesn’t slip around on the floor surface, is easy to manipulate, ‘stays put’, and doesn’t tear.

5. Painter’s Tape

Painter’s tape is used for all kinds of purposes. Whether to cover the carpet along your baseboards or to create a design on your wall (there’s that designer element we’re talking about), painter’s tape is a must.  My go-to tape is Frog Tape!

 

6. Paint, Color/Brand of your choice

Of course, to bring a designer look to your small room, you definitely need paint!  Among all the brands out there, my go-to brand is Behr paint.  With so many colors, finishes, coverage choices, AND their Color Match system, it’s easy, affordable and sensible for me to use the Behr brand. (Here’s just a little hint to next week’s post!)

7. HomeRight Quick Painter Pad Edger with Flow Control

This sweet little tool from HomeRight has a quick fill handle that allows you to apply the paint ‘as-you-go’.  The guide on the side of the pad makes cutting-in and edging a breeze!  This item quickly and easily brings the designer look into any small space, and is super affordable!

8. HomeRight Paintstick EZ Twist Paint Roller Applicator

Okay… this is a MUST!!!!!  This amazing HomeRight Paintstick EZ Twist Paint Roller Applicator (now that name is ALMOST longer that the title of this post!) sucks up the paint into the handle and, as you twist the stick, the paint flows onto the roller, letting you paint-as-you-go!  This must-have paint tool eliminates the need and cost of a paint roller pan (and disposable inserts), as well as the cleanup that goes with it.  No more stepping into the roller pan by accident!  (No, I have not yet experienced this… truth!)  More on this product in the next post!

9. Zibra Paint Brush

To get a nice smooth finish on your baseboards (like the ones you see in designer homes),  I highly recommend Zibra Paint Brushes.  Zibra brushes are my ‘go-to’ brush for not only baseboards, but many of my DIY projects!  Easy to clean, too, and they keep their new look and feel after many uses!

10. Wall Trim and finishing nails

Okay…I KNOW this is number ten, but this is important!  This element actually brings a BIG designer pop to your small room.  A bit of wooden trim, painted the same color as the walls, and then nailed to the wall with some finishing nails, will deliver interest and texture to any wall!  There are SO many designs you can add to your wall with this wood trim!  Just give Pinterest a search! (While you’re there, give me a follow on Pinterest for all kinds of inspiration for small homes!) If all goes well, I’ll be using 1.5” trim on my walls for the “HomeRight Refresh Your Wall Today” challenge!

OPTIONAL BONUS PAINTING TOOLS to Update Your Apartment

These items aren’t necessary, but will definitely help make things easier as you bring that designer look to your small room, whether you own your home or live in an apartment or rental home.

1. Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile Gloves fit snugly and make for easy hand clean-up for when the job is done!

2. Empty Paint Tubs

Just in case you need transfer paint into an easy to hold container.

3. 14-In-1 Painters Tool

This 14-in-1 Painter’s Tool is EXTREMELY convenient and useful!  This tricky little tool scrapes paint, spreads compound, cleans rollers, removes putty and cleans rollers, plus so much more.  You can even use it to open paint cans! (Take a look to see all the things this little item can do!)

4. Paint Rags

Having some paint rags for wiping up spills and cleaning other messes is super handy.

5. Mild Detergent and/or Rubbing Alcohol

For cleaning brushes and rollers, I use warm water and a mild detergent (I actually use dish washing liquid).  Rubbing alcohol removes the paint from brushes that doesn’t clean-up with detergent.  Just remember, after using rubbing alcohol, wash the brushes with detergent again.

6. Paint Brush Comb

I have found a Paint Brush Comb to be VERY helpful in cleaning my paint brushes.  After applying mild detergent, using this tool to comb-through the brush helps to loosen-up the paint that is ‘stuck’ inside or dried on the outside.

7. Ladder

Obviously, you can use a chair, but a ladder or step stool (with a tray) is really nice to have around the house!

There you have it! I wonder if I’ve missed any useful painting tools for an easy small space makeover.  Would you add anything to the list that would bring a designer touch to a room?

I hope this list is helpful and comes in handy for any future projects you have planned!  Let me know in the comments if you plan on painting a room soon, or if you have anything to add to the list!