Painting and Decorating Guides
Straightforward advice on paint, colour and preparation – the things decorators know and most of us have to look up. Whether you're doing it yourself or hiring a professional, these guides help you make better decisions.
Paint types and finishes
What's actually in the tin, and which paint belongs on which surface.
Types of paint explained
Walk into any DIY shop and the wall of tins can feel overwhelming. In reality, most homes only need four or five types of paint – the trick is knowing which goes where.
4 min read
Matt, eggshell, satin or gloss?
The same colour can look completely different depending on the finish. Here's how to pick the right sheen for every wall, ceiling and door in your home.
3 min read
Water-based or oil-based paint?
For decades, woodwork in British homes was painted with oil-based gloss. Water-based paints have come a long way since then – but there's still a place for both.
3 min read
A guide to masonry paint
Painting the outside of a house can transform it – or cause problems if the wrong paint goes on the wrong wall. Here's what you need to know before choosing masonry paint.
3 min read
Breathable paints for older homes
If your home was built before about 1920, its walls probably work very differently from a modern house. The paint you choose can help them stay dry – or trap moisture where you don't want it.
3 min read
Paint for kitchens and bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms are the hardest-working rooms in the house for paint. Steam, grease, splashes and constant cleaning will find out a cheap finish very quickly.
3 min readColour and design
Choosing colours you'll still like in a year, and using them with confidence.
How to choose paint colours
Most of us have stood in a freshly painted room thinking 'that's not what it looked like on the chart'. A few simple habits make choosing colour far less of a gamble.
3 min read
Feature walls and colour drenching
Bold colour is one of the cheapest ways to give a room real character. Whether you're dipping a toe in with a feature wall or going all-in with colour drenching, here's how to get it right.
3 min read
Wallpaper or paint?
Wallpaper has made a big comeback, but paint is still the easier choice for most rooms. Here's how to decide what suits your walls, your budget and the way you live.
3 min readPreparation and problem surfaces
New plaster, damp, stains and older homes – the things that decide whether paint lasts.
Painting new plaster
Freshly plastered walls look tempting to paint straight away. Wait – and get the first coat right – or you'll be repainting much sooner than you'd like.
3 min read
Painting ceilings
Ceilings are the part of a room nobody enjoys painting, which is exactly why they're often left too long. Here's what's involved in getting them looking fresh again.
3 min read
Painting skirting, doors and woodwork
Freshly painted woodwork makes a room look crisp and cared for. It's also where good and rushed decorating are easiest to tell apart.
3 min readPainting kitchen cabinets
A new kitchen is a big expense. If your units are sound but tired or dated, painting them can give you a fresh look for a fraction of the cost – as long as it's done properly.
3 min read
Damp, mould and condensation
Painting over damp is one of the most common – and most wasteful – decorating mistakes. A fresh coat might look great for a few weeks, but the problem will come back through it.
3 min read
Lead paint and Artex in older homes
If you live in an older house, there may be things hidden in the layers of paint that need a bit of care. Knowing what to look out for helps you and your decorator plan the job safely.
3 min read
Painting windows and front doors
Your front door and windows set the tone for the whole house – and they're the parts of the outside that take the most punishment. Here's how to keep them looking good and keep the weather out.
3 min read
How long does paint take to dry?
Paint can feel dry to the touch long before it's actually ready for another coat – or for you to hang pictures and push furniture back. Here's what the different drying stages mean.
3 min readPlanning and hiring a decorator
Getting ready for a decorator and making sense of the quotes.
How much paint do I need?
Whether you're budgeting, checking a decorator's materials or buying sample-matched paint yourself, a rough calculation saves both money and last-minute trips to the shop.
3 min read
Preparing your home for a decorator
A little planning before the decorator turns up makes the job quicker, smoother and often cheaper. Here's what's worth doing – and what you can leave to them.
3 min read
Questions to ask a painter before you hire
Two quotes for the same room can be hundreds of pounds apart. Asking the right questions shows you why – and helps you choose a decorator you'll be happy with.
3 min readPrefer to hand it over?
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