When it comes to painting your walls, there’s a lot of different tools available for you to use. One popular option is a flat brush. Whether you’re doing minor touch-ups or repainting the entire surface, flat brushes are a great choice.
If you’re new to interior DIY projects, you’re probably wondering what flat brushes are available and how to actually paint your walls with them. This article will help you get answers by covering the following:
- 7 best flat paintbrushes for walls
- What’s the best type of flat brush for walls
- Best way to paint walls with a flat brush
Before we get into how to properly use a flat brush on your walls, let’s dive into some of the best flat brushes available. If you’re also hoping to paint your trim, check out our guide for the best paintbrushes for trim.
7 best flat paintbrushes for walls
For a DIY novice, finding the right flat brush for your walls can be harder than it seems. If you’re unsure where to begin, here are our recommendations for a flat paintbrush for walls.
1. Wooster Factory Sale Paintbrush
Image credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Size: 4-inch
Material: Polyester
Best Feature: Durability
The Wooster Factory Sale Paintbrush is a great option if you're looking for a flat brush that will last you a long time. The bristles are made of quality polyester that allow you to easily paint or touch-up your walls. It can also be used with all paint types with oil and latex bases.
2. Purdy XL Swan Flat Wall Brush
Image credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Size: 3-inch
Material: Nylon-Polyester
Best Feature: Versatility
The Purdy XL Swan Flat Wall Brush was designed specifically for walls with the ability to be used with various projects. The high quality bristles allow for a beautiful finish with all paint types. It's also approved for both interior and exterior projects.
3. Presa Premium Bristle Paintbrush Set
Image credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 5
Size: 1-inch to 3-inch
Material: SRT filaments
Best Feature: Variety
If you're looking to invest in multiple brushes, the Presa Premium Bristle Paintbrush Set is a great choice. The set includes a 3-inch flat brush (which is perfect for painting your walls) and smaller brushes for additional interior work. The brushes help create a smooth finish and are easy to clean.
4. Bates Paintbrush Set
Image credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 4
Size: 1.5-inch to 3-inch
Material: Synthetic filaments
Best Feature: Variety
This is another great paintbrush set if you're looking to invest in multiple types of brushes. This set of Bates brushes includes a 3-inch flat brush that is easy to use for painting your walls. These brushes are as high-quality as the finish your walls will be left with.
5. Precision Defined Professional Paintbrush Set
Image credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 6
Size: 1.5-inch to 3-inch
Material: SRT PET
Best Feature: Quality
The Precision Defined Professional Paintbrush Set will help you to paint your walls and more. This set includes a variety of brushes to help give your walls (and other interior DIY projects) a high-quality finish. The bristles allow for great pickup and release while the handles are comfortable to hold and easy to control.
6. LINZER/AMERICAN BRUSH Maestra White Flat Utility Paint Set
Image credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 3
Size: 1-inch to 3-inch
Material: White taklon filament
Best Feature: Acrylics-focused
If you're wanting to work with acrylic paints on your walls, the Linzer/American Brush Maestra White Flat Utility Paint Set will be your best option. The set comes with a 3-inch brush for your main painting tasks and also includes a 1-inch and a 2-inch brush for any touch-ups or mural work you'd like to do. The bristles are also soft, allowing you to easily apply your paint for a smooth finish.
7. Magimate Paintbrushes Set
Image credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 5
Size: 0.5-inch to 3-inch
Material: Synthetic filaments
Best Feature: Quality
The Magimate Paintbrushes Set is another ideal option for anyone looking for various brushes to help them paint their walls and around the house. This set includes a 100mm (3-inch) flat brush that is perfect for applying paint to your wall, as well as other smaller brushes for additional work. These brushes can also be used with a variety of paints and on multiple surfaces.
What’s the best type of flat brush for walls
When shopping for a flat brush specifically to use for your walls, there’s a couple things you should keep in mind. The first thing to note is the size of the brushes available. Larger sizes - usually found in 3-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch sizes - will be more beneficial if you’re planning to paint larger sections of your wall. If you want to do more intricate work like touch-ups, look for a brush or brush set with a smaller size.
The other thing to keep in mind is the material. Brushes with soft to medium stiffness tend to offer the best results when trying to create a smooth finish. Nylon-polyester is the most popular option and is a great choice when working with walls.
Best way to paint walls with a flat brush
Once you have your brush(es), it’s important to know how to use them in order to give your walls the best results. Here’s some tips to help you learn the best ways to paint your walls using a flat brush.
- Use smaller amounts of paint - Dip your bristles ⅓ of the way into the paint and tap the brush on the side of the can to remove excess. This will prevent you from applying too much paint at once and making unnecessary messes.
- Hold the brush on an angle - Holding your brush at 45 degrees is recommended. This will help you maintain control as you paint.
- Distribute your paint - Once you’ve initially applied your paint, you’ll want to start pushing it horizontally across the surface. This will help create a smoother finish.
- Try feathering - At the end of each stroke, lift the brush from the wall. This will help prevent any marks or lines being left behind.
Now that you know all about using a flat brush to paint your walls, it’s time to get started. If you think you’d prefer to go the professional route instead, the City Painters is here to help. Contact us here or give us a call to get a quote for your project.