Paint Supplies List for a DIY Room Makeover
By Clare | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: Buying Guides
Get a complete paint supplies list for your DIY room makeover, including essential painting tools, drop cloths, painter's tape, and Clare interior paint recommendations.
Quick answer
For a DIY room makeover, you need a core paint supplies list: drop cloths, painter's tape, paint rollers, brushes, a paint tray, and a stir stick. Choosing the right paint finish and color is just as important—Clare's interior paints like Flow State and Make Waves offer great coverage and a calm, tranquil feel.
Essential painting tools for every DIYer
Start with drop cloths to protect your floors and furniture. Canvas drop cloths are more durable and less slippery than plastic, but plastic is fine for quick jobs if you tape down the edges. Painter's tape gives you crisp lines along trim and ceilings—blue tape is a safe bet for most painted surfaces.
For applying paint, you'll want a high-quality 9-inch roller frame and a couple of roller covers with a 3/8-inch nap for smooth walls. A 2-inch angled brush handles cutting in around edges and corners. A paint tray with a liner makes cleanup easy, and a stir stick ensures your paint is evenly mixed.
Choosing the right paint and finish
Your paint choice sets the tone for the room. Clare's Flow State is an airy, ethereal blue-green that works beautifully in living rooms and bedrooms where you want a soothing backdrop. It comes in eggshell for walls and semi-gloss for trim. Make Waves offers a serene greenish blue that shifts with natural light, adding depth to any space.
For a bold accent wall, consider Goodnight Moon—a deep midnight blue that pairs well with lighter neutrals. If you prefer a fresh, energizing green, Matcha Latte delivers a rich hue suitable for both residential and commercial projects. Each paint is available in one-gallon containers and offers reliable coverage.
Additional supplies you might need
Don't forget a paint can opener, a bucket for cleaning brushes, and a rag for spills. If you're painting over a dark color, a primer can save you coats. For textured walls, a thicker roller nap (1/2 inch) helps get paint into grooves. A step stool or ladder gives you safe access to high areas.
Decision rules for your paint supplies list
- Drop cloths: canvas vs. plastic: Canvas drop cloths are reusable, absorb drips, and stay put. Plastic is cheaper but can be slippery and tears easily. Choose canvas for main rooms, plastic for quick touch-ups. Invest in canvas for a full room makeover.
- Roller nap thickness: Smooth walls need a 3/8-inch nap. Lightly textured walls need a 1/2-inch nap. Thicker naps hold more paint but can leave a stippled texture on smooth surfaces. Match nap to wall texture for best results.
- Paint finish: eggshell vs. semi-gloss: Eggshell offers a soft, washable sheen suitable for most walls. Semi-gloss is more durable and easier to clean, making it ideal for trim, doors, and high-moisture areas. Use eggshell for walls, semi-gloss for trim.
Paint recommendations for your makeover
- Flow State: Clare’s Flow State interior paint delivers an airy, ethereal blue‑green hue that brings a calm, tranquil feel to any space. Ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, or any area where you want a soothing backdrop, this serene shade works beautifully with both light and dark décor. Available in 1‑gallon containers for easy application. Two finish options: eggshell wall paint for a soft, low‑sheen look, and semi‑gloss trim. Flow State is a versatile choice for main walls and trim, and the two finish options let you match sheen to the room's function—eggshell for low-traffic walls, semi-gloss for durable trim.
- Make Waves: A serene greenish blue. Like ocean waves rippling under the sun, this one ebbs and flows with natural light, bringing different undertones to the surface. Make Waves adds dynamic depth to a room because its undertones shift with daylight, making it ideal for spaces with changing natural light like living rooms or sunrooms.
Who this paint supplies list is for
Best for
- First-time DIYers painting a single room
- Anyone refreshing a living room or bedroom with a calming color palette
Not for
- Professional painters who need industrial-grade supplies
- Projects requiring specialized coatings like chalk or metallic paint
