Decorating
Which Paints for Which Walls?
Become the master of your paint brush by delving into the world of emulsion, undercoat and limewash paints
As our interest in interior design has grown over the decades, so too has the range of paints available for use in our homes. Stroll down the paint aisles of a DIY store and you’ll be confronted with everything from basic white matt emulsion to paints with amazing properties and fabulous finishes. It means that picking a colour is only the start. After that, you must select the right type of paint for your specific surface or designated room. But how do you know which to choose? This round up of the chief options should set you on the path to a perfect paint job.
Emulsion
Matt emulsion is the go-to option for walls and ceilings. As the name suggests, it produces even colour with no surface shine and is easy to apply with either a brush and a roller. If you crave a little sheen on your walls, try a silk emulsion instead.
Matt emulsion is the go-to option for walls and ceilings. As the name suggests, it produces even colour with no surface shine and is easy to apply with either a brush and a roller. If you crave a little sheen on your walls, try a silk emulsion instead.
Eggshell
Eggshell has become a hugely popular paint. It has a mid-shine finish and is tough. It’s typically used on woodwork, but can also be applied to walls to create a soft sheen and a durable result.
Eggshell has become a hugely popular paint. It has a mid-shine finish and is tough. It’s typically used on woodwork, but can also be applied to walls to create a soft sheen and a durable result.
Gloss
Gloss paint has been superseded by eggshell to some degree in recent years. It has a high-sheen appearance and tough, wipeable finish, and can add a touch of shine and style to interior and exterior woodwork and metalwork. If you prefer a shiny finish over the dull appearance of eggshell, but find gloss a little too reflective, try a satin finish instead.
Gloss paint has been superseded by eggshell to some degree in recent years. It has a high-sheen appearance and tough, wipeable finish, and can add a touch of shine and style to interior and exterior woodwork and metalwork. If you prefer a shiny finish over the dull appearance of eggshell, but find gloss a little too reflective, try a satin finish instead.
Ceiling paint
Painting a ceiling is never fun, but to improve the experience of wielding a roller overhead, many paint manufacturers now offer a specialist ceiling paint. It has a highly gelled formula, so it creates fewer drips and mess when you apply it. The richer texture of the paint also means it will easily fill any hairline cracks.
What colour should you paint your ceiling?
Painting a ceiling is never fun, but to improve the experience of wielding a roller overhead, many paint manufacturers now offer a specialist ceiling paint. It has a highly gelled formula, so it creates fewer drips and mess when you apply it. The richer texture of the paint also means it will easily fill any hairline cracks.
What colour should you paint your ceiling?
Specialist paint
Kitchens can be steamy, greasy spaces and bathrooms experience high levels of humidity and moisture, so a paint that can handle these extreme atmospheres is helpful. Kitchen and bathroom paints are typically super-tough and wipeable, can withstand steam and have a grease- and mould-resistant formula, so your walls will look fresher for longer.
Kitchens can be steamy, greasy spaces and bathrooms experience high levels of humidity and moisture, so a paint that can handle these extreme atmospheres is helpful. Kitchen and bathroom paints are typically super-tough and wipeable, can withstand steam and have a grease- and mould-resistant formula, so your walls will look fresher for longer.
Floor paint
As its name suggests, floor paint is specially designed for use underfoot. It is typically made with a semi-gloss finish and is particularly hard-wearing to withstand footfall. Floor paint is usually suitable for wooden and concrete flooring.
As its name suggests, floor paint is specially designed for use underfoot. It is typically made with a semi-gloss finish and is particularly hard-wearing to withstand footfall. Floor paint is usually suitable for wooden and concrete flooring.
Textured paint
When picking your paint, consider the finish, too. There are numerous formulas on sale that offer a little more texture than traditional emulsion. Suede-effect paints, luxury emulsions that produce a velvet feel and silk emulsions that create a soft shine and wipeable surface are all readily available.
When picking your paint, consider the finish, too. There are numerous formulas on sale that offer a little more texture than traditional emulsion. Suede-effect paints, luxury emulsions that produce a velvet feel and silk emulsions that create a soft shine and wipeable surface are all readily available.
Limewash
Specialist paint manufacturers often carry a range of traditional paints, such as limewash and distemper, each with unique properties. They are typically ecofriendly and produce a very soft, extremely matt finish. Limewash, for example, is water-based and highly breathable, while a strengthened distemper delivers these same benefits and can be wiped clean, too.
Specialist paint manufacturers often carry a range of traditional paints, such as limewash and distemper, each with unique properties. They are typically ecofriendly and produce a very soft, extremely matt finish. Limewash, for example, is water-based and highly breathable, while a strengthened distemper delivers these same benefits and can be wiped clean, too.
Multi-taskers
Paints that multi-task and squeeze more functionality from your walls are also available. This kitchen is painted with magnetic paint, so the walls can be transformed into a notice board if needed. Chalkboard paint, on the other hand, creates a chalky dark finish that allows you to chalk onto it and then wipe it clean for reuse.
Paints that multi-task and squeeze more functionality from your walls are also available. This kitchen is painted with magnetic paint, so the walls can be transformed into a notice board if needed. Chalkboard paint, on the other hand, creates a chalky dark finish that allows you to chalk onto it and then wipe it clean for reuse.
One coat
In addition to all the various finishes available, manufacturers have created numerous paints that aim to make decorating fast and easy. Look out for one-coat paints that only need applying once, easy-clean finishes, non-drip formulas and quick-drying paints that will speed up the decorating process. They all work well, although purists (and your dad) might insist nothing does the job as well as standard paints, applied in several coats and left to dry in their own sweet time!
TELL US
Share your thoughts on picking the right paint in the Comments section.
MORE
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Brush Up on Paint: Know Your Matts From Your Glosses
In addition to all the various finishes available, manufacturers have created numerous paints that aim to make decorating fast and easy. Look out for one-coat paints that only need applying once, easy-clean finishes, non-drip formulas and quick-drying paints that will speed up the decorating process. They all work well, although purists (and your dad) might insist nothing does the job as well as standard paints, applied in several coats and left to dry in their own sweet time!
TELL US
Share your thoughts on picking the right paint in the Comments section.
MORE
14 Things You Never Thought to Paint But Should
11 Reasons Why You Should Paint Your Interior Doors Black
Brush Up on Paint: Know Your Matts From Your Glosses
Before painting any surface, you will need some form of undercoat. Some undercoats are designed to cover strong colours and fill hairline cracks (often called basecoats). Others are designed specifically for wood or metal. Some undercoats are combined with primer for use on bare wood or metal. They not only provide a good base coat for paint, they also seal the surface and cover stains.