Laura Ashley Paint Accessories
Brushes, rollers, trays and prep tools
Everything you need to apply Laura Ashley paint — brushes, rollers, trays, masking tape, filler, sandpaper and surface prep materials.
What's in the paint accessories range
The accessories range covers the tools and materials needed for a proper decorating job:
Brushes — cutting-in brushes for edges, larger brushes for woodwork, specialist angle-head brushes for corners. Various sizes from small trim brushes (12mm) up to 3-inch wall brushes.
Rollers and roller frames — standard 9-inch rollers for walls and ceilings, smaller 4-inch mini-rollers for awkward areas, roller sleeves in different naps for different surfaces.
Roller trays and scuttles — paint trays with ribbed loading surface, larger paint scuttles for high-volume work, disposable tray liners for quick paint changes.
Masking tape — decorator's masking tape in various widths. For edges, trim lines and protecting adjacent surfaces.
Dust sheets and floor protection — fabric and plastic dust sheets for protecting floors and furniture during painting.
Filler and caulk — wood filler for holes and cracks; decorator's caulk for gaps along skirting and trim.
Sandpaper — graded sandpaper from coarse (60-grit) for heavy sanding through to fine (240-grit) for between-coats smoothing.
Scrapers and stripping tools — paint scrapers, filler knives, wire brushes for preparation work.
Sugar soap — pre-paint surface cleaner for degreasing walls and woodwork.
Brush quality matters
The single most common decorating mistake is using cheap brushes. A good brush:
Holds more paint — fewer trips to the tray, smoother application.
Doesn't shed bristles — cheap brushes leave individual bristles stuck in the wet paint. Removing them after the paint has dried is fiddly and marks the finish.
Releases paint smoothly — gives even coverage without dragging or requiring repeated strokes.
Lasts longer — a properly cared-for quality brush can be reused across many painting projects. Cheap brushes end up in the bin after one use.
For ceiling work and cutting in at wall edges, quality brushes pay for themselves quickly. A decent 2-inch angled brush is the single most-used brush in most decorating projects.
Roller types by surface
Short nap (4–8mm) — for smooth surfaces. Interior walls, ceilings, smooth wood. Gives the smoothest finish.
Medium nap (10–12mm) — for semi-smooth surfaces. Slightly textured walls, rough-cut timber.
Long nap (15–20mm) — for rough surfaces. Masonry, textured walls, artex ceilings. Holds more paint to fill the texture.
Microfibre — gives especially smooth finish on matt emulsion and eggshell. Worth paying extra for visible wall and ceiling work.
Foam — for very smooth finishes on wood and metal. Less common on walls.
Preparation tools are often the most important
Good preparation determines how the final paint looks more than any other factor. Worth investing in:
A good filler knife — flexible, smooth blade, for clean filling of holes and cracks.
A proper sanding block — keeps sandpaper flat against the surface for even sanding.
Sugar soap and cloths — degreasing before painting is non-optional on kitchen and bathroom walls.
Decent masking tape — cheap masking tape bleeds paint underneath and tears when removed. Good tape gives crisp paint lines.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need specific accessories for Laura Ashley paint or does any brand work?
Any decent-quality decorating accessories work with Laura Ashley paint. The accessories range is curated to work well with Laura Ashley paints but isn't brand-specific in the way the paint itself is.
How do I clean brushes between coats?
For water-based paints (matt emulsion, most eggshell, kitchen/bathroom), rinse under running warm water until the water runs clear. For oil-based paints (rarer in the Laura Ashley range), use white spirit followed by soap and water.
Can I reuse masking tape?
No — masking tape is single-use. Once removed, the adhesive is compromised and it won't stick cleanly again.
Related categories
- Laura Ashley Paint — full paint range
- Tester Pots — try colours before committing
- Wallpaper Accessories — tools for wallpaper application
- Laura Ashley Homewares — full brand range