Paint is present throughout your home; it covers the walls, ceilings, doors, windows, and skirting boards. It is the classic finish that can quickly transform the colour, mood, and style of a room. Plus, it's a project most DIY enthusiasts can undertake themselves.
However, knowing how to paint a room is just one step towards a perfect paint job. Selecting the right paint is essential for success, and here we have compiled a list of our favourite places to buy paint. You’ll find everything from budget-friendly options to high-end, colour-perfect paints that can elevate any painting project.
Before you buy paint, think about what type of paint and tools you’re going to need
Paint comes in many guises, so you need to decide what you need before you start the purchasing process. Emulsion is the paint of choice for walls and ceilings, but if using it in a high-traffic area like a hallway, you want a paint that is durable and washable. Then you’ll need to think about the finish. Matt is great for walls that aren’t perfect, as it reflects less light.
When painting skirting boards, doors, door frames, architraves, and window sills, you need a hard-wearing, durable and wipeable paint. The finish is typically a choice of satin or gloss, with a satin finish being a popular choice for contemporary homes, offering a lower, more subtle sheen.
And, don’t forget that you’ll need the right tools to ensure a successful paint project. Check your paint brushes and rollers to see if you’ll need to invest in some new ones. Try this Harris Seriously Good Walls & Ceilings Paint Roller Set from Amazon for walls and ceilings. This ProDec 10 litre Plastic Paint Scuttle Bucket and Harris Seriously Good Aluminium Extension Pole (both from Amazon) are handy companions when using rollers.
Where to buy paint for indoors and outdoors
Below is selection of the best UK retailers that sell paint. The prices are correct at the time of publication, be sure to check each website for the most up-to-date prices and any special offers.
- B&Q - A collection of the best emulsion paints for walls and ceilings
- Amazon - Paints for ceilings, kitchen cupboards and garden fences
- Frenchic - Artisan and innovative paints for interior, outdoors and furniture
- Wickes - Budget-friendly emulsions and top-class primers
- Lick - A range of eco-friendly, pigment-rich paint colours in matt and eggshell
- The Paint Shed - Hard-wearing, durable, and long-lasting trade paints
B&Q
A water-based, low-odour paint that tackles ceiling imperfections effectively. Designed to block and prevent stains, it leaves a wipeable surface. Ideal for high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt is a high-opacity, water-based emulsion providing excellent coverage, durability, and a smooth, non-reflective finish for interior walls and ceilings.
This Dulux Heritage eggshell paint is a durable, washable, water-based paint offering a soft, low sheen finish suitable for interior walls, wood, and metal surfaces.
Amazon
A no nonsense matt wall and ceiling paint that comes in a myriad of blue hues. Easy to apply it is touch dry in two hours and recoatable in four hours and comes in a recyclable container.
If you want to spruce up your kitchen cupboards this Dulux retail cupboard paint is a durable, water-based formula designed to resist everyday wear, providing long-lasting coverage.
A weather and mould-resistant paint formulated for the garden. Designed to revamp outdoor furniture, fence, décor, sheds and walls. Available in over 100+ stylish shades and boasts a gloss finish.
Frenchic
A multipurpose chalk and mineral paint that's weatherproof, making it suitable for interior and exterior use. Self-priming and self-sealing it's good for furniture and woodwork.
A chalk and mineral paint designed for interior furniture. It is self-priming and self-sealing and boasts a hard-wearing and fade resistant matte finish that comes with a unique wax infusion.
A traditional self-priming style chalk and mineral eco-friendly paint that is formulated for interior furniture. Comes in 16 different colours that leave a chalky finish that can be left or sealed with a top coat of choice.
Wickes
Specifically designed for kitchens this matt emulsion is suitable for kitchen walls and ceilings. It is greaseproof, stain resistant, and washable making sure it stays looking good for longer.
This matt emulsion is specially formulated to allow for repetitive cleaning. It is much tougher and more washable than standard matt paints. Stain and scrub resistant it can be used on walls, ceilings, wood and metal.
One of the best primer/sealers and stain blockers on the market. A shellac-based primer it is quick drying and can be recoated in as little as 45 minutes. Adheres to most surfaces ready for a top coat.
Lick
A warm, dark, greige paint with brown and green undertones. Ideal for walls and ceilings, this matt emulsion provides rich tones and a paper-like finish. Easy to apply with a brush or roller.
An ultra flat matt paint with a supremely low sheen level provides a soft, velvety finish, making it a good choice for walls, ceilings, radiators, and woodwork. Boasts Class 1 scrub resistance for extra durability.
This eggshell emulsion paint that has a mid level sheen that gives a durable and wipeable finish. It offers exceptional depth of colour which helps reflect light into a room. Good for bedrooms and living rooms.
The Paint Shed
This water-based acrylic paint is designed for use in high-traffic areas and provides a durable satin finish. You can wash, wipe or scrub clean repeatedly without damaging the colour.
A popular oil-based trim paint that is suitable for wood and metal. Ideal for skirting boards, architrave and windows sills it dries to a durable, subtle satin sheen that is easy to apply and clean.
A high-performing mould-resistant paint for most exterior surfaces, including wood, metal, masonry, cladding, plastic, and concrete. A highly durable, self-priming, long-lasting paint.
When tackling a paint project you not only need the best gloss paint for your woodwork you need the best tools to apply the paint. Check out our guide on the best paint sprayers for a quick fine finish and the best tools to buy on Amazon.
