The Best Interior Wall Paint Brands in Ireland

For the best results get the best paint brands

Choosing paint is hard. Surprisingly hard. The fear of getting half way through a paint job and realising you hate it can lead to safe choices that end up boring you. Whether you are setting up a restaurant, a home, an office, a store, or some other interior space, choosing the best interior paint brands is the fastest way to get the feel and style you want in a space. Whether you want to follow current trends or create a space that is just you, there is a paint for the job. The right preparation, the right finish, the right colour palette and, above all, quality is what makes the difference between an interior design success and a fail.

It may seem simple, but then you get to the Dulux colour wall and realise just how seemingly endless the choices are. Add to that aspects like satin or eggshell and you may feel out of your depth. To make the choice easier, we have put together this explanation of the different paint finishes, the colour combinations that are always winners, and a list of the best interior paint brands in Ireland.

Why sheen matters – a guide to gloss levels

While ‘gloss’ and ‘flat’ may be self explanatory, things get a bit hazier when the eggshells and satins start appearing. Not only that, but there are ways in which these finishes are used and ways in which they are not – unless you want to be unconventional it helps to understand which surfaces normally use which paint. The different sheens and uses of these paints are:

• Flat and Matte – These paints have the lowest levels of glossiness of all the finishes available, at roughly 0-10% sheen. This means they are non-reflective and will hide surface blemishes and inconsistencies, effectively smoothing the surfaces on which they are painted. These are mostly used for walls, and have a smooth and velvety appearance.
• Eggshell and satin – These are the “mid-sheen” finishes. They have some reflectivity (satin is slightly glossier than eggshell, which looks like its namesake), and are more durable than the flat and matte finishes. Because of this, they are often used in more demanding spaces like kitchens and bathrooms, and satin is often used for doors and trim.
• Semi- and high gloss – The most reflective of the decorative paints, these are traditionally used for skirting boards, doors, mouldings, window, and other trim. It is also the toughest finish. Due to their high levels of sheen, gloss finishes show up imperfections, so it is important to prepare the substrate beforehand.

How to use colour to get the room you want

The key is not choosing a colour that will fight your furnishings, fixtures, and flooring, and that won’t make you regret ever watching Room to Improve when a trend fades. Some good tips to follow are:

• Think about the use of the room – The paint colour you choose will set the mood of the room. Dramatic, subtle, cosy, stylish – all of these can be set by the colour, and it is important to choose the mood based on how you use the room. A bedroom with a bright and insistent colour will not create the calming space you need to relax, but if you want a living room that pops, a bright white with feature of a bright colour like indigo will really bring out the space.
• Always use the test pot – Colours do not look the same in the tin as they do on the wall. Always check that the light and the substrate colours do not alter the paint beyond recognition.
• Do not make rash decisions – So you’ve painted the test patch and you like it, now what? Now you wait. Sleep on it. Do not just get stuck in and wake up with a paint hangover. Light changes in a space and you may wake up feeling differently.
• Choose for what you have, not want you wish you had – Though the internet is a wonderful tool it can also lead to mistakes. Seeing a colour work amazingly in one space does not mean it will work amazingly in all spaces. Light, ceiling height, furnishing and fixtures all play a role.

What are the colour trends shaping design right now?

When we come home we don’t want to be smacked in the face with stylish and daring, we want cosy and secluded from the world. This is driving a current trend for colours that evoke comfort and serenity. Muted tones that inspire relaxation are popular, from grey hues to beiges, pale pinks to faded green tones, these colours promote rest. And of course if you want a space to clear and empty the mind, there are always all those whites.

The trend for pairing bold colours with a simple monochrome is still going strong. Bold, dark wall colours like Farrow & Ball’s ‘Hague Blue’ still regularly make most popular lists. Though Millennial Pink may be on the way out, arsenic greens are still making their mark and corals are on the rise thanks to Pantone’s Colour of the Year.

The Top 5 Best Interior Paint Brands in Ireland

Through all the endless colours one thing remains constant – the highest quality paint brands. We have a range to choose from, and what qualifies as “the best” comes down to the paint that provides the best finish, value for money, range, and overall satisfaction. Ultimately the best interior paint is the one that gives you the colour, finish, and quality that you want.