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Your basement holds untapped potential as a versatile space in your home. Whether you’re aiming to create a cozy family room, a stylish home office, or a vibrant entertainment area, a fresh coat of paint on the walls can work wonders in transforming the ambiance.
In this guide, we’ll explain the top 6 must-have tools when painting basement walls so there’s no confusion from the sea of information out there. These are all legit tools that we use daily with perfect results and little waste. They are mid-range to above mid-range on the quality/price spectrum so not cheap or expensive: you are guaranteed quality without over-paying. Now let's move on to the stars of this post and we'll show you how to get them without breaking the bank!
Essential Tools for Painting Basement Walls: For drywall that’s either painted or not painted
Before you embark on your basement painting project, it’s crucial to gather the necessary tools to ensure a smooth and successful process. Here is a list of the tools to grab and where you can find them so there’s no need to struggle to locate these down the road.
For your own sanity Paint Pals, bookmark this post for easy reference when it’s time to purchase your supplies.
What are the TOP 6 tools for painting basement walls you ask?
Roller Covers & Frames - Trims & Doors: Purdy White Dove 1/4″ Nap Mini Roller Cover 4 1/2” & Jumbo Mini Roller Frame 4 -1/2" Walls: Wooster 9-Inch Pro Doo Z Roller Cover, 3/8-Inch Nap & Wooster Sherlock Roller Frame, 9-Inch
Paintbrush - Pro-Extra 2-1/2" Angular Trim Dale Brush
Painter's Tape - FrogTape Brand Pro Grade (Blue) Feature Walls: Frog Tape Brand Pro Grade (Yellow)
Drop Sheets - Canvas Drop Cloth (Pack of 1)
Sandpaper - Drywall Sanding Sponge, Dual Grit Block
Tray and Liner - Paint Tray & Disposable Liners
Jump to descriptions of the best 6 tools for painting basement walls
Top 6 tools for painting basement walls:
What kind of roller covers do you need for Painting Basement Walls?
Alright, listen up! When it comes to painting a room, you might think all roller covers are created equal. But let us tell you, using a cheap roller is like trying to paint with a soggy noodle - it’s just not gonna cut it.
Invest in high-quality rollers Paint Pals! Budget (cheaper) roller covers shed fibers on your walls and deteriorates with washings. Even though quality roller covers may cost a little more money, they will last longer and provide better results. If you're not sure if you need a roller or a paintbrush, check out our post on 'Rolling in Success: the best painting rollers for flawless DIY interior projects' to find out where you can make your DIY painting life easier and use that roller!
Here is the list of the roller covers and frames you will need to paint drywall. (Painted or not painted).
Rollers & Frames:
For all trims, baseboards, interior doors, and windows you will need the following:
Purdy White Dove 1/4″ Nap Mini Roller Cover 4 1/2” - Mini Roller Cover (sleeve) for all trims, baseboards, interior doors, windows
Jumbo Mini Roller Frame 4 -1/2" - Frame for the 4 ½” cover (sleeve).
For walls you will need the following:
Wooster Brush 9-Inch Pro Doo Z FTP Roller Cover, 3/8-Inch Nap -Roller Cover for semi- smooth walls (drywall).
Wooster Brush R017-9 Sherlock Roller Frame, 9-Inch - Frame for the 9” roller cover.
Just a note here: please don't go with a cheap frame that will not spin smoothly and cause the roller cover to 'smear' the paint rather than 'roll' the paint evenly. Big whoops here! Expect to pay anywhere from $25- $30 for a decent, medium-range roller frame Paint Pals!
What are the best paintbrushes in 2024 for painting basement walls?
When it comes to painting a room, your brush selection is no joke. A good, all-purpose paintbrush should give you smooth, reliable and flawless results. Cheap brushes, on the other hand, are more like that pack of gum you find stuck to the bottom of your shoe - they might get the job done, but it’s gonna be a sticky situation.
For all cutting in of trims, baseboards, interior doors, windows & walls you will need the following:
Pro-Extra 2-1/2" Angular Trim Dale Brush - This 2.5 inch is the only all-purpose, get er’ done kinda paintbrush you will ever need. Trust us, you don’t need multiple sizes: although they'd like to make you think so.
What kind of Painter’s Tape is best for Painting Basement Walls?
The sticky truth about painter’s tape is that it’s actually your painting BFF. Picture this: you’re all set to paint your room, armed with your trusty paint roller and a can-do attitude. You dip your brush into the paint, ready to nail this painting project when suddenly, disaster strikes. Your hand slips and before you know it, you’ve painted a lovely stripe of color on your ceiling, or worse, your cat who decided to investigate.
Painter’s tape is a force field that protects your ceiling, trims and furry friends and creates clean, crisp lines along the edges and corners. There are many colors and brands but you really only need an all-purpose Frog tape for most of the work so no need to go out and buy 3 different colors!
A cautionary word of advice, if we may: if you are painting a feature wall (or accent wall) you will need the yellow Frog tape to place on the side of the wall that you don’t want to paint. It’s delicate material is made to stick to a wall but not peel the paint off with it when it’s time to pull it off the wall!
FrogTape Brand Pro Grade (Blue)- Multi-Surface Blue Painters Tape is a medium-adhesion tape good for most areas such as windows, trims, ceilings and taping up your drop sheets or paper if needed.
Frog Tape Brand Pro Grade (Yellow) - Pro painters delicate tape will remove cleanly from most surfaces up to 60 days with low adhesion for use on freshly painted surfaces (more than 24 hours old).
Do I need Drop Sheets for Painting Basement Walls?
Yes, yes, yes, and did I say, YES! They are like a shield against paint disasters, ensuring that your floors, furniture and pets remain paint-free (well, mostly). So, do yourself a favor and invest in some drop sheets. Your house (and your sanity) will thank you for it.
Canvas Drop Cloth (Pack of 1)- Covers and protects floors from paints and stains and is Machine washable.
What grit of sandpaper do I need for Painting Basement Walls?
Got walls rougher than a cactus? Time to break out the sandpaper and smooth things over! Sanding before painting isn’t just for the perfectionists - it’s for anyone who doesn’t want their walls to feel like a desert landscape. So add that sandpaper to your shopping cart!
Drywall Sanding Sponge, Dual Grit Block- This flexible sponge can be used to sand flat or contoured surfaces with dual grit: Medium grit on one side for areas that are a little more ‘textured’ and fine grit on the other side to smooth everything out.
Painting tray and liner: not tools but you can't paint without it!
You've got your paint, your brush, and... wait, where's your paint tray and liner? It's like trying to make a sandwich without bread—messy and not quite right.
A paint tray and liner are like your trusty sidekicks, keeping your paint organized and your clean-up a breeze. Without them, you'll be swimming in a sea of paint, trying to balance it all like a circus performer on a tightrope.
Paint Tray - We like this Bennett Heavy duty tray from Canadian Tire. It's very sturdy with it's solid walls that touch ground on every side. No worries on having a tipsy paint tray!
Disposable Liners - Grab these liners that pair well with the Bennett tray. You can purchase other generic liners but they must be the right fit for the tray. If you're not sure on this, save yourself the hassle and grab the liners in the link above.
What other products are needed for Painting Basement walls?
1. High-quality paint
The paint you choose will ultimately determine the quality and longevity of your finish. When it comes to painting your home, investing in quality paint like Benjamin Moore is a smart choice. With superior coverage, richer colors, durability, ease of application, environmental benefits and long-term savings, quality paint offers many advantages to lower-quality alternatives. Consider choosing Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams for your next painting project to enjoy a beautiful, long-lasting finish. We highly recommend either of these two brands and use these daily for all of our clients’ houses.
Let’s be real: painting is no joke. So why settle for less when you can have the best?
2. Primer
What if we told you that the key to achieving that perfect paint color lies not in the paint itself, but in the primer you use?
Primer is the unsung hero of the painting world, the silent guardian that ensures your paint job doesn’t end up looking like a hot mess. It smooths out rough surfaces, covers up sins of the past (we’re looking at you, neon pink walls), and gives your paint something to cling to like a koala to a eucalyptus tree. Always use primer for basement drywall that hasn’t been painted or if you are painting a very light color over a darker more prominent color. For example: painting an off-white color over a dark blue.
Check out your primer options that do the job at Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams.
Need some color inspiration for your basement walls?
Choosing the right color for your basement walls can significantly impact the overall look and feel of the space. Here are a few reputable websites where you can find inspiration:
houzz.com : Houzz offers a plethora of interior design ideas, including basement color schemes. Browse through their extensive collection of photos and articles to discover the latest trends and timeless classics.
sherwin-williams.com : Sherwin Williams provides a vast selection of paint colors and inspiration galleries to spark your creativity. Explore their color collections and curated palettes to find the perfect hue for your basement walls.
pinterest.com : Pinterest is a treasure trove of home decor inspiration, including basement walls and color ideas. Create a mood board or browse through existing boards to discover color schemes and design concepts that resonate with your vision.
By utilizing these websites, you can gather a bucket-full of ideas and inspiration to guide your color selection process and ensure that your basement walls reflect your personal style.
Now roll up your sleeves and unleash your creativity Paint Pals! Armed with these tips and a can-do attitude, you’re ready to turn that underground dungeon into a vibrant welcoming space. Remember, it’s not just about painting walls - it’s about transforming your basement into a room you’ll actually want to spend time in!