Paint & Finishes:
A Professional Decorator’s Guide
Choosing the right paint and finish has a bigger impact on the final result than colour alone. Coverage, durability, ease of application, and how a surface wears over time all depend on using the correct type of paint for the job.
This section covers interior and exterior paints, specialist finishes, and trade options explaining how they behave in real homes and how professional decorators decide what to use in different situations.
PAINT TYPES
Different paints are designed for different environments. Using the wrong type often leads to problems such as peeling, patchiness, flashing, or poor durability.
Below are the main paint categories covered on this site.
INTERIOR PAINT
Interior paints are designed for walls and ceilings where appearance, cleanability and even coverage matter most. Different finishes perform very differently depending on lighting and room use.
BATHROOM & KITCHEN PAINT
High-moisture areas need paints that resist condensation, mould, and repeated cleaning. Standard wall paint often fails in these environments.
TRADE PAINT
Trade paints are often misunderstood. In some situations they outperform retail paint significantly, in others, they’re unnecessary. This guide explains when trade paint is worth using and when it isn’t.
EXTERIOR PAINT
Exterior paints are formulated to handle weather, UV exposure, and temperature changes. Using interior products outside almost always leads to early failure.
How Professional Decorators Choose Paint
Professional decorators don’t choose paint based on brand names alone. Decisions are usually based on:
- The surface being painted (plaster, previously painted walls, woodwork)
- Room use and traffic
- Moisture levels
- Finish requirements
- Long-term maintenance
For example, a matt finish may look great on a living room wall but perform poorly in a hallway or kitchen. Likewise, using the wrong paint on new plaster can cause adhesion issues and visible defects.
See common paint mistakes and how to avoid them →
QUALITY PASTRY & CAKES
EVERYTHING MADE BY HAND
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BAKE & COFFEE
DROP BY AND SAY HI!
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