Paint

Top Paints & Supplies in the US: Where to Buy, What to Choose, and Pro Tips for Great Results

Why the right paint and supplies matter

Picking paint isn’t just about choosing a pretty color. The right formula, finish, and tools can save you time, money, and frustration. Paint affects how a room feels, how long the job lasts, and how easy cleanup will be. Think of paint like clothing for your walls: the fabric and cut matter. Spend a little time upfront choosing quality products and you’ll avoid patchy finishes, bubbling, and early touch-ups.

Major US stores to buy paint and painting consumables

There are several reliable places to shop for paint across the US that balance price, selection, and convenience. Big-box retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s stock popular retail and professional brands. Specialty stores—Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore—offer deep color expertise and custom tinting. Local hardware stores such as Ace Hardware and regional chains like Menards also provide helpful service and fast pickup. Each option serves different needs: budget shoppers, DIYers, or pros seeking pro-grade systems.

Walmart — value, accessibility, and everyday brands

Walmart is a go-to if you want accessible prices and a selection of mainstream paints and spray products. You’ll find brands like Krylon and Rust-Oleum in-store and online. For quick touch-ups or small projects, Walmart’s mix of aerosol paints, one-gallon cans, and consumables can be handy. It’s a practical stop if you need primers, enamel sprays such as Krylon Acryl Enamel, or epoxy-type coatings without driving to specialty shops.

Home Depot — wide selection for DIY and pro projects

Home Depot blends quantity with quality: multiple paint brands, a variety of finishes, and pro-grade tools. Expect to find gallons of interior and exterior latex, oil-based enamels, primers, and specialty coatings like epoxies. Home Depot’s in-store tinting machines make color-matching easier, and they often have project calculators showing how many gallons you’ll need based on square feet. If you’re doing a room or a whole house, Home Depot is worth a stop.

Lowe’s — strong tool and accessory lineup

Lowe’s mirrors Home Depot in many ways but tends to emphasize tools and consumables alongside paint. Their selection of rollers, brushes, drop cloths, and ladders is extensive, and you’ll find familiar paint brands in multiple finishes. Lowe’s also runs seasonal sales that can shave off the cost of paint and masking supplies—handy when tackling a large repaint or an exterior refresh measured in feet and gallons.

Sherwin-Williams & Benjamin Moore — color expertise and performance

If color depth and long-term performance matter most, Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore are top-tier options. These specialty retailers offer custom tinting, high-quality base paints, and expert advice on finish selection. Their paints often cover more square feet per gallon and resist fading and scuffing better over time, which can mean fewer repaints measured in years rather than months. For serious interior finishes or heritage homes, these are go-to choices.

Ace Hardware & Menards — community stores with personal service

Ace Hardware and Menards deliver convenience and neighborhood-level service. They don’t always carry the largest inventories, but they’ll stock trusted brands, essential consumables, and helpful staff who can recommend brushes, primers, or specific finishes based on your project’s square-footage and substrate. If you prefer a local touch or need something in a pinch, these stores are reliable and often closer than regional big-box outlets.

Understanding paint types and when to use them

Not all paints are created equal. To pick the right one, start by matching the paint type to the surface and traffic level. Latex (water-based) paints are the most common for interior walls because they dry fast, clean up with water, and resist yellowing. Oil-based paints and acrylic enamels provide tougher, glossier finishes for trim and high-touch surfaces. Specialty coatings—like epoxy or mastic—offer chemical resistance and extreme durability for floors, metal, and industrial surfaces.

Acrylic and latex paints — everyday interior and exterior work

Acrylic and latex paints are user-friendly and versatile. They come in finishes from flat to high-gloss and cover roughly 300 to 400 square feet per gallon on average, depending on surface porosity and the number of coats. For living rooms and bedrooms, a satin or eggshell finish balances hide and washability. Exterior latex formulations add UV and weather resistance measured in years, which matters for siding and trim exposed to sun and rain.

Oil-based and enamel paints — durable and smooth finishes

When you need a hard surface—door frames, baseboards, or cabinets—oil-based or alkyd enamels shine. They level out to a smooth finish and resist wear, though they take longer to dry and require mineral spirits for cleanup instead of water. A one-gallon can of quality enamel might cover around 350 square feet per coat, and you’ll likely need two coats for full coverage on previously painted woodwork.

Specialty coatings: epoxies, mastic, and industrial formulas

Specialty coatings like Rust-Oleum Epoxy Mastic are designed for environments that face chemical exposure, heavy abrasion, or extreme humidity. Epoxy mastic usually comes in gallon kits and covers a defined square foot area per mixed gallon—often used for floors, metal tanks, or marine applications. Products like these are found at big-box stores and specialty retailers; they require careful mixing and application but deliver industrial-level protection measured in years of service.

Popular products to consider and where to find them

Some paint items show up repeatedly in project lists because they balance price and performance. Krylon Acryl Enamel sprays are great for small metal projects or quick touch-ups and are widely stocked. Rust-Oleum’s epoxy and mastic formulas are go-to for floors and surfaces that need a hard, protective coat. Bigger brands—Sherwin-Williams’ SuperPaint or Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select—offer robust interior paint choices that often cover a room with fewer coats when applied properly.

Essential painting tools and consumables

Good tools make any paint job easier and the finish better. Essentials include a range of brush sizes, quality rollers with suitable naps for your surface, a stand-up or step ladder measured in feet, drop cloths to protect floors, masking tape for crisp lines, and a sturdy paint tray. Don’t forget consumables like sandpaper (measured in grit), caulk, and primer—these little items determine how well paint adheres and how flawlessly the final coat lays down.

Brushes, rollers, and applicators

A top-notch angled brush for trim, a 3- or 4-inch brush for cutting in, and a roller frame with the right nap make a huge difference. Smooth surfaces do well with low-nap rollers (1/4 to 3/8 inch), while rough exterior siding needs a thicker nap (3/4 inch or more). Using the right nap helps spread one gallon of paint efficiently across hundreds of square feet without leaving roller marks.

Preparation and masking supplies

Prep is 70 percent of the job. Use quality painter’s tape for clean lines, drop cloths measured in feet to cover furniture and floors, and a good primer to seal porous surfaces. Sanding and filling holes with spackle ensures a smooth finish that lasts, and the right primer can reduce the number of finish coats—saving you both gallons and time.

How to shop smart: compare price per gallon and coverage

Don’t just buy based on sticker price. Compare the price per gallon, expected coverage in square feet per gallon, and recommended coats. A cheaper paint that covers less may end up costing more once you factor in extra coats and time. Use online calculators at retailers to estimate how many gallons you’ll need for a room based on square feet, and account for trim and ceilings separately in your totals.

Eco-friendly options: low-VOC and sustainable choices

If indoor air quality is a concern, look for low-VOC or zero-VOC paints. These formulations reduce fumes and chemical odors, which is especially important in homes with children or pets. Many major brands now offer low-VOC lines with similar coverage rates in square feet per gallon compared to conventional paints. Choosing eco-friendly products might cost a little more per gallon, but the health benefits and reduced odor make them worth considering for interior projects.

Pro tips to get a salon-smooth finish

Want that salon-smooth wall that looks professionally done? Start with clean, dry surfaces and patch imperfections. Always prime new drywall or repaired patches, and sand between coats where necessary. Use a high-quality brush or roller and keep a wet edge as you paint to avoid lap marks. For large flat areas, a paint extender can slow drying time and help the paint level out for a more uniform appearance measured across the wall’s square footage.

Small projects vs. large renovations: buying strategy

For a quick touch-up, a can of spray paint or a pint of matching color often does the trick—Walmart and local hardware stores stock these for convenience. For larger renovations, buy in gallons, plan for two coats, and invest in better tools. When covering several hundred square feet, buying professional-grade paint that covers more per gallon can reduce the total number of gallons needed, saving money and cleanup time in the long run.

Where to find deals and how to use them

Timing matters. Big-box retailers and local chains run seasonal sales—look for discounts in spring and late summer when people tackle home projects. Manufacturers sometimes offer rebates on pro-grade products, and stores will often match prices or provide contractor discounts if you’re buying many gallons. Buying during sales and combining that with a smart calculation of square feet per gallon gives you the best value.

Final checklist before you paint

Before you open a can, make a checklist: measure square footage to determine gallons needed, pick the right primer and finish, buy enough rollers and brushes, and lay out your drop cloths. Plan the order of operations—trim first or walls first depending on your comfort—and set realistic time blocks measured in hours for drying and recoats. This planning keeps the project moving and reduces the chance of mid-job runs to the store.

Summary: pick the right store for your project

Walmart is great for accessibility and quick buys like Krylon sprays and Rust-Oleum touch-ups. Home Depot and Lowe’s give broad selections and tools for mid-sized to large jobs. Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore deliver color depth and pro-grade performance for long-term finishes. Ace Hardware and Menards fill in with local service and convenience. Match the store to the scope of your project, and you’ll spend less time fixing mistakes and more time enjoying the finished space.

Painting can transform a room faster than most renovations, but success depends on pairing the right products with proper prep and technique. With a little planning—and the right store and supplies—you’ll be set to create a finish you’re proud of, whether you’re touching up trim or repainting an entire house exterior measured in feet and gallons.