Interior Paint

Nothing can transform a home quite like a fresh coat of paint. With so many finishes and colours available to choose from, you can easily inject a unique touch of style into any room of the house.  

Whilst taking on a decorating project is very exciting; it can be a little confusing attempting to figure out which type of paint is just right for the job. To help you narrow down your decision, we’ve created a handy and helpful guidance section below highlighting the key things you should consider.    

When it comes to buying interior paint, one type doesn’t simply fit all. There is a wide range of paint types out there to choose from, each offering a unique look and feel for your space.  

Emulsion Paint

The most common and popular interior paint you’ll come across is emulsion. Emulsion is a water-based, non-toxic paint available in an attractive array of colours and finishes to beautifully transform your walls and ceilings. Formulated with reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs), emulsion is a far safer and more eco-friendly paint choice that won’t fill your home with that overpowering ‘new paint smell’ that traditional paints often can.  

Matt  

Completely flat and non-reflective in appearance, matt paints create a fresh and smart finish that subtly masks any small scuffs or imperfections you want to hide. Particularly popular in contemporary home design, matt paints look absolutely stunning when paired with darker colour shades, adding new depth and dimension for a more striking look.  

Satin/Silk 

Satin and silk paints are ideal for those who want a subtle level of gloss and sheen without looking too overly shiny. They are suitable for both ceiling and wall application, drying to a durable finish that is easy to clean and pretty resilient against everyday wear.  

Eggshell 

Striking the perfect balance between a flat matt and shiny gloss, eggshell paints dry down to a semi-matt finish that elegantly integrates the subtle sheen of an eggshell (hence the name).   

Gloss Paint 

Commonly applied to woodwork, cabinets, trimmings, skirting boards and door frames, gloss is a bright, high-shine interior paint that creates a clean and durable surface layer when dry. Similar in finish to enamel or plastic, gloss paints are eye-catching, easy to clean plus very resilient and long-wearing.  

Semi-Gloss 

Although not as shiny as high-gloss paints, semi-gloss formulas still add a beautiful, understated glow to your surfaces with a tough, easy-to-clean finish that is resistant to humidity, splashes and stains.  

Although many of the paints we stock can be used across most of the home, not all formulas are suitable for application in every kind of environment.  

Living Room/Dining Area/Bedroom 

Throughout most of your home, your choice of paint is really down to personal preference.  

Many homeowners find that a matt finish looks very smart and stylish throughout the bedroom and living/dining areas, especially when working with neutral or darker tones. Matt paint is simple to touch up plus hides surface imperfections very well, so is great for masking those pesky little marks and stains you’d rather cover up.    

If have a very busy household with pets or young children, bear in mind that matt paints can scuff up over time and are tricker to wash down. If this sounds like a worry for you, a fresh eggshell or satin paint may provide the more resilient and easy-to-clean finish that your home needs.   

Hallway/Staircase 

As high-traffic areas of your property, durability is an important factor to consider when painting your hallway and staircase. 

Eggshell paints are a practical choice for hallway walls, offering a good level of resilience and a fresh, subtle sheen that looks great in virtually any colour. Eggshell can be cleaned when needed and doesn’t enhance imperfections like satin, so if a bike or boot is accidentally rammed into the paintwork, the leftover dent won’t stand out too much.    

Scrubbable, hard-wearing and attractive to look at, gloss and semi-gloss paints are generally the go-to for your doors, trims and staircase railings/bannisters.  

Kid’s Bedroom 

Your child’s bedroom should be a place of fun, play and excitement without limits. 

To make sure your walls can keep up with playtime, satin paint creates an all-around heavy-duty finish that won’t deteriorate when scrubbed and wiped over and over again. Fun, bright colours also look fantastic with the smooth, silky sheen of a satin emulsion.  

Kitchen/Bathroom 

Moisture is the main issue you’ll face when painting your kitchen or bathroom.  

Whether boiling water for cooking or enjoying a warm shower, your kitchen and bathroom spaces are regularly exposed to substantial levels of moisture and humidity. Because of this, most experts recommend avoiding flat, matt finishes and instead opting for a wipeable satin or even semi-gloss paint. Better still, pick out a specialist formula that is specifically designed for use in these environments.   

Of course, paint isn’t just meant for walls, doors and ceilings. Even if your walls are painted to absolute perfection, a chipped radiator or outdated cupboards can instantly detract from the design scheme and bring down the mood of the room.  

To get your whole home looking its very best, discover the huge range of specialist interior paints, ideal for re-coating your radiators, finishing your furniture and upcycling your units in any colour or finish your heart desires. We’ve even got an exciting selection of specialist tile paints, expertly formulated for easy application across your floor and wall tiles. Far easier than ripping up and replacing those faded brown tiles you’ve always hated.   

In a world where virtually any colour you want can be painted, sprayed or rollered into your home interior, it may seem like an impossible choice to decide between the perfect peachy pink and mysterious moody magenta. Luckily for you, we’ve got a few helpful tips to make the huge rainbow of options seem a little easier to tackle.  

Setting the Mood - The colour you pick for any part of your home, whether that be walls, ceilings, kitchen units, skirting boards or even just a simple bedside table can instantly change the tone and mood of your entire space. Before even looking at a colour palette, ask yourself – what kind of mood do I want to set for this space? 

If the answer to that question is modern and minimalistic, could the neutral simplicity of monochrome whites, greys and blacks work well with your contemporary vision? If something a little more romantic and moody is on the cards, perhaps a gorgeous dark red or sumptuous deep pink would emulate the dreamy interior your heart is set on. 

For a cool, retro kitchen or fresh family bathroom, mixing bright primary shades with a clean white or cream provides a fun splash of colour whilst still keeping things light and airy. Chic rustic golds, elegant forest greens and smooth earthy browns have also worked their way back into many home designs over recent years, emulating a more natural, relaxed setting that sets the tone perfectly for interesting ornaments and house plants.  

Keeping the Balance – There’s a fine line between enjoying the vibe of a certain colour and looking like you accidentally ordered 50 identical tins of yellow paint. What we mean is, whilst sticking to a colour theme is a great way of maintaining aesthetic flow, it’s still important to add variety and depth to give the space a less one-dimensional finish. 

Say you’ve always dreamed of a red kitchen. Whilst it may be tempting to paint every wall and surface with the same scarlet colour, breaking up the interior with various shades will not only be easier on the eye but also leave room for more creative freedom when picking out furnishings and décor. 

Optimising Room Space – Your choice of colour also influences how big or small a room can feel. Bright whites generally make a space feel bigger and airier, while warmer and darker colours set a more intimate tone. 

Light shades reflect more light so will open up small spaces, but darker colours will make walls and surfaces feel more enclosed. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if you’re hoping to establish a cosy and welcoming mood. This is just something to bear in mind to ensure you aren’t creating the opposite effect of what you actually want.