The paint buying guide

From eggshell to enamel, satin to gloss, there’s a paint for every job. When redecorating your home, you want to get the painting just right for beautiful results. You’ll need to use the right paint, pick the perfect colour and gather the essential tools.

Look no further than our ultimate paint guide to help you navigate the DIY decorating world. You’ll soon fall in love with painting and become a pro in no time.

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Which paint should you buy?

Do you know your gloss from your satin? We're here to demystify paint jargon for good. Choosing the right sheen level can
transform the look of walls, so make sure you buy the best paint for your room.

Matt: Best suited to ceilings and trimmings, matt paint is excellent at covering up cracks, bumps and imperfections.

Eggshell: Wondering which paint is best for walls? Eggshell offers a low gloss finish, ideal for living rooms and bedrooms.

Satin: With a smooth, silky finish, satin paint is durable and easy to clean with a faster recoat time; it can also help hide imperfections.

Semi-gloss: Adds an understated shine to any surface. It's easy to clean and stain resistant, ideal for covering doors and cabinets.

Gloss: Offers a shiny finish similar to enamel or plastic, usually used on woodwork, furniture or cabinets.

What are kitchen and bathroom paints?

While bathroom and kitchen paints can be more expensive, they provide a sturdy finish that prevents stains, mould and everyday marks. In short, they’re worth it!

How to choose your colour palette

Picking your new paint colours is an exciting part of the decorating process. Consider combining a neutral shade with an accent colour. Feature walls offer a great way to embrace accent shades while highlighting fireplaces, doors or other fixtures. Choosing shades of the same colour also looks great and can add visual interest.

Looking for more colour inspiration? Meet our most popular paint shades:

How to prepare the surface you're going to paint

Preparation is essential when painting. Get the perfect finish by:

- Using a primer or undercoat - Primers and undercoats provide a solid base for paint, improving its finish and durability. Primers are better when painting new surfaces susceptible to harsh conditions. Undercoats are best for old surfaces that have been painted before.

- Sanding the wall - Sanding the surface before painting ensures paint glides on smoothly. Plaster repair products can be handy if you have uneven walls; this is applied before you start painting.

- Covering leaks - A damp seal is excellent for covering leaks. This will keep your newly painted surface looking fresh.

Masking tape Vs paint shields

Which is the most useful when painting your walls, masking tape or paint shields? Let’s take a closer look at these decorating tools.

Masking tape: Masking tape is an adhesive roll tape that’s easy to tear. It can cover exposed outlets, lighting fixtures and other areas needing protection. Masking tape can adhere to walls, wood, plastic and freshly painted dry surfaces.

Paint shields: Paint shields are thin metal or plastic rectangles with handles on one side. Their job is to catch dripping paint. Keep the shield clean and move it along the wall as you paint.

Handy painting tips:

Our handy painting tips will ensure you get smooth, long-lasting results:

- If you're undecided on the best colour for your space, paint samples can help. Paint your options onto paper and use masking tape to hang them on the wall for a side-by-side comparison.

- When painting a newly plastered wall, apply a primer and undercoat with a roller to achieve the best surface.

- Clean the walls, removing grease, marks or fingerprints with a sugar soap solution.

If the surface is wallpapered, this needs to be removed before painting. ‘Paste the wall’ wallpaper can be peeled away, while tools are required to remove ‘paste the paper’ wallpaper.

How to paint ceilings and skirting boards

If you've ever tried applying paint to the ceiling after the walls, you probably encountered some barriers. We’re here to help you decorate in the correct order:

1. Start with ceiling paint: Work your way down to avoid drips landing on freshly painted areas.

2. Move onto the walls: Only paint the walls after the ceiling is done.

3. Finish with skirting boards: Leave the skirting until last unless you’re wallpapering. Protect walls with masking tape and apply skirting board paint. When the first coat is dry, sand it back, brush off the dust, and go in with the second coat.

How to paint a fence

Paint can revive any garden fence. Wood paint is the best option for fences; it's weather resistant, tough and can often be wiped clean. Ensure your paint is suitable for outdoor use. If you're using a sprayer, check the paint or stain is compatible. Apply an undercoat or a primer before painting to increase the wood’s life.

Here are our top tips when applying wood paint:

- Paint when the fence is in the shade. If the wood’s hot, the paint will dry too quickly.

- Protect plants by covering them in plastic sheeting.

- Remove old nails or screws from fence panels and sand down rough areas

- Allow the primer to dry completely before painting.

- Follow the wood grain for a smooth finish.

How to paint a radiator

Want to breathe new life into radiators? Buy paint that can withstand high temperatures. Specialist radiator enamel is heat resistant and dries to a hard, long-lasting finish. It can be used on primed, factory-finished and previously painted radiators.

We recommend waiting for the radiator to cool down before painting to avoid blistering.

Here’s how to apply radiator paint:

1. Lay protective sheets on surrounding walls and floors.

2. Cover valves or vents with masking tape.

3. Lightly sand the surface.

4. Clean the radiator with a damp cloth to remove dust.

5. Stir the paint before and during use.

6. Apply the first coat evenly using a synthetic brush. Finish with vertical brush strokes.

7. Wait for the first coat to dry before applying the second.

8. Leave at least 24 hours after painting before turning the radiator back on.

Ready to get painting? Add a splash of colour to your home and buy paint from Next, then spruce up your newly decorated room by browsing our furniture, rugs and accessories.

The paint buying guide

Grey paint

White paint

Magnolia paint

Blue paint

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Green paint

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