If you’re refurbishing your home, or fancy giving the living room or bedroom a small makeover, then why not look into painting? Nowadays, there are hundreds of different colors to choose from, not to mention an array of finishes designed to suit various styles of home décor; plus, you could even have some more fancy patchwork patterns and effects. Paint gives you more creative control and is often an exciting alternative to wallpaper, which can take longer to apply and prove more messy and troublesome in the long run.
What is the cost of paints?
Beyond the notion of a basic color or scheme, homeowners don’t often think about the cost of painting or what to look out for before they arrive at the checkout. You might be surprised to discover that several different factors will affect your final painting cost. Check out the tips outlined below to help you save money at the till and be better prepared for your project:
Colour: it may sound a little silly, but the type of color you choose can affect the price of paint, especially in local outlets or home-ware stores. The wall paint cost depends on the quality; basic paints range from £8-38 pounds depending and the specialist paints £15.74- £58.00 for a 2.5-liter tub.
Coats & Primers: Older and more uneven walls often require a primer coat before you begin painting properly. This helps even out any bumps or cracks in the surface and allows for a smoother finish when you apply the final color – remember to account for the additional layer when budgeting for your paint. Look out for latex primers for plaster or drywall surfaces and alkyd primers for wooden walls. Primers and undercoats cost on average between £10- £15 per liter.
Quality: With brighter colors, it’s always good to look out for shades with more resin and pigment (which should be noted on tin labels). They might be a tad pricier, but they require fewer coats and stay bolder for longer, which could reduce costs in the long run.
Finish: Most people already have a preference between a gloss or flat/matte paint finish, as you usually find that one style will better suit your home before repainting a new room, depending on how much light you like and what your eyes are accustomed to. That said, you should take note that glossier sheens are usually a little more expensive, around £20 to £36 compared to £14 to £27 for a 2.5-liter matte tin.
Amount: The cost of your painting project will also vary depending on the amount of paint you need to buy.
Style / Extras: Finally, any styles or ‘effects’ or extra work you might want to try will end up costing more, whether in additional paint or other materials; rag-rolling and color-washing both require different brush sizes and a lot of patience, so make sure you’re ready to commit before getting started.
| Emulsion | Light & Space | Bathroom or Kitchen | Endurance | Exterior | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dulux | £13.99 | £19.59 | £23.99 | £26.99 | £29.99 |
| Crown | £13.49 | – | £25.49 | – | – |
| Hammerite | £15.99 | – | – | – | £30.99 |
| Leyland | £8.00 | £14.00 | – | – | £15.74 |
| Johnstone’s | £18.99 | – | – | – | – |
| Farrow & Ball | £38.00 | £50.00 | – | £54.00 | £58.00 |
How Much Do Painters Charge?
Tins of paint can, of course, be found at relatively low prices from several different stores across the UK, but if you lack DIY confidence or don’t have the time to get things done yourself, you might want to hire a professional painter too. The cost of a painter and decorator will vary considerably from area to area, but which.co.uk suggests the following as a recommended outline for hiring a professional:
Remember, this article only offers tips and advice. To get the cheapest, high-quality paint possible, always shop around for the best deal and compare several products and prices. Once you’ve found the perfect paint, it can be up in your home in a matter of days.
How To Choose Colours
When it comes to redecorating, there are so many colors of paint and wallpaper available that it can easily get overwhelmed. Speaking at the National Home Improvement Show, interior designer Julia Kendell explains: “Now that we have synthetic dyes in every color, we’re too scared to use them.” Not only that, in recent years, we’ve become used to decorating our homes in neutral colors so as not to put off potential buyers, however, as designer Linda Barker points out: “The recession has put paid to people moving so often, but this does have a silver lining because now people are experimenting with decorating and using color more.”
So if you’ve chosen to improve your home rather than move, be brave and personalize your interior design by splashing around some color. Here are some top tips on how to choose the right color scheme for your property: