The short answer
A painter applies paint – to walls, ceilings, woodwork and exteriors. A decorator does that too, but also hangs wallpaper and may offer specialist finishes. In practice, most tradespeople in the UK are 'painters and decorators' who do both.
| Service | Painter | Decorator |
|---|---|---|
| Interior walls and ceilings | Yes | Yes |
| Woodwork | Yes | Yes |
| Exterior painting | Often | Sometimes |
| Wallpaper hanging | Sometimes | Yes |
| Lining paper | Sometimes | Yes |
| Specialist finishes | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Spraying | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Typical services
What a painter does
Some tradespeople focus mainly on painting – particularly exterior specialists, commercial painters and sprayers. They're skilled at preparing surfaces, applying paint efficiently and working at height.
What a decorator does
Decorators are typically more focused on interiors. Hanging wallpaper well – especially patterned, expensive or delicate papers – is a specialist skill. Some decorators also offer techniques such as colour washing, stencilling, murals or heritage finishes.
Rather leave it to a professional?
Which do you need?
For most homeowners, a general painter and decorator is the right choice. If you need exterior work, look for someone experienced with your type of property. For wallpaper, especially premium papers, look for a decorator with paperhanging experience.
See our guide on how to choose a painter and decorator.
Qualifications
There's no legal requirement for a painter or decorator to hold a qualification in the UK, but many have NVQs or apprenticeships, and some belong to trade bodies. Reviews, photos and recommendations are often the best indication of quality.
Get quotes from local painters and decorators.
