8 Must-Have Products to Make Interior Painting a Breeze

Are you about to tackle an interior painting project? It doesn't have to be a dreadful task. Whether you are giving the walls a fresh look, or giving a piece of furniture new life, the time will go much more smoothly with the right tools. Of course, you will need a can of paint and a brush to get started. What else will you need to make the painting easier?

1. Color fan deck. The right color is essential to avoiding many coats of paint. You will find color scheme ideas at most paint stores; otherwise, you may be able to borrow a color deck for the full range of color options.

2. The right paint. You absolutely need to use the right paint product if you want the finish to last a while. For trim and furniture, you will need a specific enamel, like Sherwin-Williams ProClassic Interior Acrylic paint. For sheetrock walls, you can use a basic interior paint, but be sure to prime if the walls have never been painted.

3. The right brush. You will basically need a brush for "cutting in", or trimming around the edges of your walls, and a roller for filling in the rest. A 1 1/2" to 2" angled tip brush works best for these needs; try the Purdy Syntox Angular or the Contractor Series' thin angled sash.

4. A roller for larger areas. A 9" Contractor Series roller works fine for filling in large areas of the wall; the more texture on the wall, the larger nap you will need. For furniture and trim, use a small foam roller and a foam brush for the tight areas.

5. Bucket and rolling pan. Keep your paint in a handy paint bucket with a handle and disposable liners while you are using a brush. And you will need a 9" wide rolling pan with disposable liners for re-coating the paint roller.

6. Plastic or canvas. Do you have furniture that needs to be covered while you are painting the walls? Either plastic or canvas drop cloths work great. Husky plastic sheeting comes in bulk in various sizes. And make sure to place a drop cloth under your furniture if you are painting it indoors (or outdoors).

7. Cotton rags, bucket of water. You may need to keep some clean cotton towels nearby, which can be purchased at any paint store, in case of spills or drips. A bucket of water will assist in correcting mistakes.

8. Painting clothes. This is a must -- wear old, worn-out clothing to keep from ruining your good, everyday outfits while painting. You can buy painter's pants, like the Dickies Double Knee style, at any retail paint store for around $30.