DIY Tips

One of the easiest ways to breathe new life into your home is to repaint the interior walls. But something so simple can seem daunting when you go into a DIY store and see the vast array of paints available.
A couple painting walls. See PA Feature HOMES Homes Column. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature HOMES Homes Column.A couple painting walls. See PA Feature HOMES Homes Column. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature HOMES Homes Column.
A couple painting walls. See PA Feature HOMES Homes Column. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature HOMES Homes Column.

Emulsions are designed for walls, but some paints can be used on multiple surfaces, giving you even more choice.

A wall colour you don’t like is hard to live with and, as there are so many different colours and finishes to choose from, it’s important to try the paint first, preferably applying some to all four walls so you get the full effect and can see the colour at different times of the day. Printed colour charts aren’t accurate, so don’t rely on them, and the same is true of paint colours viewed online.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If you can’t find the perfect colour in the off-the-shelf ranges, try those available from in-store paint-mixing machines, where there are thousands of choices. Again, get a tester first to be sure of the colour.

Sometimes, only a specialist paint will do. For kitchens and bathrooms, it pays to use kitchen and bathroom emulsion because, depending on the range, it’s wipeable and steam, stain and mould resistant. These paints used to have a sheen, but now you can also get matt ones.

Other specialist paints for walls are available including ultra-tough ones for rooms that take a lot of punishment, such as halls and playrooms, and chalkboard, metallic, textured and feature-wall paints.

For dark rooms, try paint designed to reflect twice as much light as conventional emulsions for a lighter and brighter feel.

Related topics: