13 Simple Paint Hacks That Make Painting Your Home So Much Easier

Painting a room can make your home look completely different, but the actual process can get messy fast. There are brushes covered in paint, rollers leaving fuzz behind, dripping ceilings, splattered fixtures, sticky paint-can lids, and somehow there always seems to be paint exactly where you don't want it.

The good news is that you don't necessarily need expensive tools or complicated techniques to make the job easier. Some of the most useful painting tricks involve things you probably already have around the house. A rubber band can keep your paint can cleaner. Painter's tape can prepare a roller before you even touch the wall. An old umbrella can save you from getting showered with ceiling paint, while a simple plastic bag can keep your brush ready for later.

And then there are a few tricks that seem almost too simple to work, like using petroleum jelly to protect hardware or turning an empty snack container into roller storage. Here are 13 simple painting hacks that can save you time, reduce mess, and make your next painting project considerably less frustrating.