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  4. 10 Best Interior Paints 2024 | UK Interior Designer Reviewed
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10 Best Interior Paints 2024 | UK Interior Designer Reviewed

When painting the interior of your house, deciding on the paint is the most crucial step. While the colour may be your first consideration, you'll need to find the right finish, and buy the right amount, for vibrant streak-free walls and ceilings. To help you get started, this article will teach you how to buy the perfect interior paint for your home decoration projects. 


Once we've covered the basics it's time to take a look through the top ten highest-ranking paints for interiors in the UK. From matt paints to silk and gloss emulsion, we've compared popular products from Dulux, Johnstone's, Hemway and more, including where you can find them on Amazon and Argos! Moreover, we have partnered with interior designer Belen Dakak to review and fact-check the article to deliver you the best information.

Last updated 26/03/2024
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Fact-Checked & Approved by Interior Designer Belen Dakak

Fact-Checked & Approved by Interior Designer Belen Dakak

Belen is an interior designer (residential and retail design), having worked for top retail brands including Estee Lauder, Seasalt and John Lewis, as well as working with private clients on residential projects and RoomLab, an online interior design platform. 


Belen is also a landscape garden designer with an RHS Level 2 in Principles and Practical Horticulture.

How to Choose an Interior Paint in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Consider the Surface You're Painting When Choosing a Finish
  2. Before You Begin, Work Out How Much Paint You Will Need
1

Choose a Finish That's Suitable for the Surface It's Going to Be Applied To

Choose a Finish That's Suitable for the Surface It's Going to Be Applied To

Light-Absorbing Matt Is Ideal for Cosy Spaces

A matt emulsion creates a muted yet beautiful finish. Matt emulsion paint offers a no-shine finish and, therefore, will not suffer with reflective walls or ceilings as they have a sheen level of less than 10%.. The biggest benefit of matt interior paint is that it easily hides any flaws during the application, so you don't need to layer multiple coats. 


Chalk paint is another type of matt finish with a slightly thicker consistency with a definite no-sheen finish. Unfortunately, matt paint has a tendency to hold dirt and dust. This wouldn't be much of a problem if it were easy to clean. However, too much force can damage the delicate finish. 


This doesn't stop matt paint from being the most popular choice for living rooms and dining rooms. Although, we wouldn't recommend painting bathroom or kitchen walls with a matt finish, as they could stain over time. As matt wall and ceiling paint is one of the most popular choices of finishes, there is plenty of colours and brands to choose from.


Ensure clean edges with our Best Masking Tapes!

Try Satin or Silk to Brighten Up a Room Without Too Much Shine

A satin finish has a mild sheen to it, gently catching and reflecting the light. It has the ability to brighten up a room, without looking too glossy. The best thing about a silk finish is that it's easy to clean and it doesn't wear away with each wash, so it's less likely to pick up stains as a matt coverage would. That's why using silk in a kitchen, a bathroom, or a child's bedroom is a very wise decision.


Just bear in mind that it doesn't hide imperfections very well, all the lumps and bumps may show up a bit more. For example, any greasy marks are going to be visible on your walls until you clean them. 


This means that they are quite high maintenance in comparison to matt paint, although easier to clean overall. However, a satin finish on woodwork helps to hide imperfections and gives the colour a softer appearance.

Pick Gloss for the Most Vibrant, High-Sheen Finish

Gloss has a high-shine finish with an extremely reflective surface. It reflects a vast amount of light, so this finish works best with lighter shades of paint. The maximum sheen means it's highly durable and wipe-clean, too, making it a reliable choice for bathrooms and children's bedrooms.


Using gloss paint means you won't need to add an additional coat of gloss finish to your surface, saving you the money that you'd have to spend on a can of clear gloss coat. If you have any wooden accents in your house, you will see the most benefits from gloss paint.


You have to have a great surface to make it look its best, but it is hugely practical and adds a lovely contrast to walls that are painted in a matt finish.


Prepare wooden surfaces with our Best Sandpapers for Wood!

2

Calculate How Much Paint You Will Need, Especially If You're Painting a Large Space

Calculate How Much Paint You Will Need, Especially If You're Painting a Large Space

If you want a can of paint to freshen up the borders around a room, or to apply to your doors, you can probably get by with 1-2 litres of paint. However, if you have plans to paint your walls, you'll need to be prepared. It's important that you have enough paint to cover the whole wall in one go. Otherwise, the finished product will look patchy and uneven. 


To do this, measure the surface you would like to paint in square meters and buy 2.5 litres per every 12 square meters. But don't forget to account for the multiple layers you might need to apply! We advise that you double or triple your surface square meters to ensure that you have enough paint for each layer. 


If you are in the store and do not have exact measurements, then Dulux estimates that 1-litre tin will be ideal to paint a 2.5m interior feature wall, whilst around 2.5 litres would cover all walls in a 2m x 2m or equivalent room, and you'll need about 5 litres to cover all walls in a 4m x 4m or equivalent room.


Reach those distant spots with our Best Step Ladders!

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10 Best Interior Paints in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Johnstones

Washable Paint

Johnstones Washable Paint 1

£16.09

Mid

A Brilliant Paint for Bases and Brightening Rooms

2

Dulux

Matt Emulsion Paint

Dulux  Matt Emulsion Paint 1

£18.00

Mid

A Reliable Interior Paint With a History of Success

3

Hemway

Chalk Paint

Hemway Chalk Paint 1

£24.95

High Mid

An Eco-Friendly Ultra-Matt Ideal for Feature Walls

4

Crown Retail

Core Emulsion Silk Mustard Jar

Crown Retail Core Emulsion Silk Mustard Jar  1

£22.60

Mid

Vibrant, Wipeable and 99% Solvent-Free

5

wilko

Walls & Ceilings

wilko Walls & Ceilings 1

£17.00

Mid

A Big Can for a Surprisingly Small Price

6

GraceMary

Chalk & Clay Paint

GraceMary  Chalk & Clay Paint 1

£23.95

Mid

Get a Chic Vintage Look in Just One Coat

7

Hemway

Glitter Paint

Hemway Glitter Paint 1

£19.95

Mid

A Super Sparkly Interior Upgrade

8

Vintro

Wall & Ceiling Paint

Vintro Wall & Ceiling Paint 1

£49.99

High

A Luxurious, Odourless Paint in a Gorgeous Forest Green

9

Dulux

Gloss Paint For Wood and Metal

Dulux Gloss Paint For Wood and Metal 1

£15.79

Mid

Sleek Black Gloss for Bold Interior Features

10

Rustins

Small Job Paint

Rustins Small Job Paint 1

£6.36

Low

A Quick-Drying Pot for Small Jobs

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

JohnstonesWashable Paint

Washable Paint 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£16.09
Mid
Reference price
£16.09
Mid

A Brilliant Paint for Bases and Brightening Rooms

Johnstones' washable matt emulsion, in particular the shade 'Pure Brilliant White,' will provide the perfect base for all of your future projects. It has a high coverage at 12m2/litre, and a smooth finish that covers evenly and stands out.


Apply to walls and ceilings to absorb the light, making your space appear cosier. You can also use it to prime the wall as a base coat  prior to painting, to ensure that colours appear as vibrant as possible. 

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Dulux Matt Emulsion Paint

Matt Emulsion Paint 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£18.00
Mid
Reference price
£18.00
Mid

A Reliable Interior Paint With a History of Success

This light blush paint has a unique creamy texture that's very thick and easy to apply. Thanks to its high pigment concentration and soft base, you'll never have to worry about seeing paintbrush lines again as it dries streak-free for an even coverage.


Dulux is a highly reputable brand that is used frequently for both personal projects and commercial use across the UK. So if you're after a reliable paint in a wide range of shades, we strongly recommend this one.

No.3

HemwayChalk Paint

Chalk Paint 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£24.95
High Mid
Reference price
£24.95
High Mid

An Eco-Friendly Ultra-Matt Ideal for Feature Walls

Chalk paint has taken over the internet in recent years, striking decorators by surprise with its fast-drying abilities and its no-hassle application. Chalk paint can transform practically any surface, and the best part is that you don't even have to prepare anything before using it! The consistency is so thick that you can apply it without having to sand, prep, or prime. 


Not only that, but this chalk paint is formulated using completely natural and eco-friendly ingredients. So you can wash your brushes in the sink without harming the environment. 

No.4

Crown RetailCore Emulsion Silk Mustard Jar

Core Emulsion Silk Mustard Jar  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£22.60
Mid
Reference price
£22.60
Mid

Vibrant, Wipeable and 99% Solvent-Free

It doesn't matter whether you apply this paint with a brush or a roller, you're sure to be impressed by the smooth, stroke-free silk finish once dry. This paint is one of the most versatile on our list and will cover up blemishes with ease


Even if your wall is an uneven or partially decorated already, this paint should cover it up in 2-3 coats. It's also the best choice for those with asthma or allergies, this paint has a 'breatheasy' formula that's 99% solvent free.

No.5

wilkoWalls & Ceilings

Walls & Ceilings 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£17.00
Mid
Reference price
£17.00
Mid

A Big Can for a Surprisingly Small Price

This paint is available in a wide variety of colours with both matt and silk finish options, leaving behind a completely blemish-free finish to any wall or ceiling. But what we're most impressed by is the great value for money!


Each tin contains 2.5 litres of paint, so you can cut down on the number you need to buy depending on the surface area you'd like to decorate. For example, you could completely transform your wall for just £17, which makes it the best bargain on the list

No.6

GraceMary Chalk & Clay Paint

Chalk & Clay Paint 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£23.95
Mid
Reference price
£23.95
Mid

Get a Chic Vintage Look in Just One Coat

With a heavy, matt finish, this robust chalk paint offers maximum coverage. You'll be amazed at just how quickly it dries, making it ideal for quick Sunday afternoon projects.


The paint is designed to minimise the appearance of paintbrush strokes, which is a common issue that occurs when using chalk paint. It an all-round reliable option with plenty of fans, but our favourite thing about this paint, is that it comes in 23 unique colours.

No.7

HemwayGlitter Paint

Glitter Paint 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£19.95
Mid
Reference price
£19.95
Mid

A Super Sparkly Interior Upgrade

Hemway is one of the number one companies for chalk paint. With this offering, they add a unique twist that sets them apart from the rest - glitter! Along with this can of paint, you also receive a bag of silver sparkles to add to your mixture. But rest assured, it's completely child-safe, non-toxic and odourless too. 


Unfortunately, it only comes in tins of 1 litre, so you'll likely have to buy multiple tins even for one feature wall. However, at under £20 per tin, at least it won't break the bank as much as some other tins out there. 

No.8

VintroWall & Ceiling Paint

Wall & Ceiling Paint 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£49.99
High
Reference price
£49.99
High

A Luxurious, Odourless Paint in a Gorgeous Forest Green

This matt emulsion paint comes in a deep forest green. With its bold colouring, it would make for a beautiful feature wall, or perhaps on all four walls of a dark and cosy home office. Better still, this paint is odourless, making it a good choice for painting in enclosed areas that don't get much ventilation. 


The only downside to this brand is its steep price. It comes in at just under £50 for 2.5 litres, which is certainly rather expensive in comparison to other products on the list. 

No.9

DuluxGloss Paint For Wood and Metal

Gloss Paint For Wood and Metal 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£15.79
Mid
Reference price
£15.79
Mid

Sleek Black Gloss for Bold Interior Features

This dark, high-sheen paint catches the light and bounces it back to the rest of the room. Thanks to the thick pigment, there's no need to apply an undercoat. So you can start redecorating straight away, without wasting time and money on a primer. 


Unfortunately, this paint only comes in a range of two shades. This means that if you wanted to use the same brand across the whole house, you'll be extremely limited when it comes to choice. 

No.10

RustinsSmall Job Paint

Small Job Paint 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£6.36
Low
Reference price
£6.36
Low

A Quick-Drying Pot for Small Jobs

If you haven't painted on an interior surface before, you should start off small by practising on a door frame or a small corner wall. That's why for first-timers, this petite 250 ml can is exactly what you need. It's a shade of sweet candy pink, but you can find it in over 10 other colours if you'd prefer something else. 


Of course, for a big wall or a ceiling, such a small can of paint won't do the trick. That said, if you'd like to try a gloss, quick-dry paint to add a pop of colour to worn out fixtures, it'll definitely fit within your budget!

Tips for Redecorating a Room With Multiple Colours

Tips for Redecorating a Room With Multiple Colours

When you're redesigning or refreshing the interior of your home, you'll likely want more than one colour. It's a good idea to buy all your paints from the same brand if possible. This is because each brand uses their own paint mixing formula, regardless of the colour or finish. By picking paints all from the same brand, you can ensure consistency of vibrancy, finish and texture.


Written and researched by Annie Speight

Top 5 Interior Paints

No. 1: JohnstonesWashable Paint

No. 2: Dulux Matt Emulsion Paint

No. 3: HemwayChalk Paint

No. 4: Crown RetailCore Emulsion Silk Mustard Jar

No. 5: wilkoWalls & Ceilings

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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