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Pillar guide

The decorator’s paint buying guide

Which brand, which finish and how much? Straight answers from decorators who use thousands of litres a year.

12 min readUpdated Oct 2026
1 · Brands

Paint brands compared

BrandTypeStrengthPrice
Dulux TradeTradeExcellent coverage, huge range££
Johnstone’s TradeTradeGreat woodwork paints££
Farrow & BallPremiumDepth of colour, chalky matt££££
Little GreenePremiumHeritage colours, durable££££
Benjamin MoorePremiumExceptional scrubbability£££
ZinsserSpecialistPrimers, stain-block, anti-mould££
2 · Finishes

Which finish where?

FinishBest for
MattCeilings, living rooms
EggshellKitchens, panelling
SatinWoodwork, radiators
GlossFront doors, metal
3 · Quantities

How much paint do you need?

RoomWalls (2 coats)CeilingWoodwork
Small bedroom5 L2.5 L0.75 L
Double bedroom7.5 L2.5 L1 L
Living room10 L5 L1 L
Hall, stairs & landing10–15 L5 L2.5 L

Rather we handled the paint?

We supply trade paint at trade prices — included in every quote.

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