Forget Everything You've Heard About Paint. It's Probably Wrong...

Alright, let's cut through the noise.

Seriously, ignore most of what you read about paint—half of it's marketing nonsense anyway.

Ever walked into a hardware store and felt your brain short-circuit? Walls of paint cans, all screaming 'we're the best!". Matt, eggshell, satin, gloss... It’s overwhelming. And let’s be real: you’ve probably ended up buying something pricey, spending your Saturday slapping it on, and then... meh. The result?...Just 'okay'. Maybe even disappointing.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

I’ve been around long enough to see the same mistakes over and over. People pick the wrong type, the wrong finish, the wrong brand—and honestly, they end up wasting time and money. So let’s get down to what actually works.

First up: just use emulsion paint on your walls. Seriously. Don’t overcomplicate it.

Why? Because it’s water-based. And that means:

• No nasty fumes choking up your lungs.

• Easy cleanup—soap and water, done. It dries stupidly fast.

• Two coats in one day? Easy.

If anyone tells you to use oil-based paint on a wall, smile, nod, and ignore them. They’re living in the 1980s. Don't trip on their flared jeans on the way out...

Now, here’s where everyone does trip up: the finish.

This isn’t just about looks - it’s about performance. Think of it like this: the more shine, the more it shows every little flaw in your wall—but the tougher it is. The less shine, the more it hides—but it might not stand up to those messy hands nor steam.

So let’s get practical. Room by room:

Bedrooms: Trust me, you want matt. It’s soft, it looks rich, and it hides a shocking amount of rubbish plasterwork. Bedrooms aren’t high-traffic—you don’t need armour, you need atmosphere. My top pick? Johnstone's Covaplus. It’s a matt that doesn’t fall apart if you need to wipe a mark off. It's less trendy than say, Farrow & Ball. But it's just better paint.

Living Rooms: This is where life happens. Kids, pets, coffee spills... You need something with some defence. Eggshell. It’s got a soft glow—velvety, not shiny—and it can take a knock. My favourite? Dulux Easycare Washable & Tough. As the saying goes, it does what it says on the tin. Ideal if your living room sees more action than a football pitch.

Kitchens & Bathrooms: Here, you need paint that won’t quit. Steam, splashes, grease... Use satin. It’s got a slight shine, shrugs off water, and you can scrub it without wrecking it. Do NOT use matt here—it’ll stain and peel. Just don’t. I always use Dulux Diamond Interior Acrylic in these spaces. It’s like giving your walls a suit of armour.

Now. The biggest thing I’ll say—and I’m not messing around...

...do NOT buy cheap paint.

I’m deadly serious. It’s a complete waste of hard earned money.

Those value cans from B&Q or Homebase? You’ll need three coats instead of one, the colour will look sad and faded, and it’ll mark up if you so much as breathe on it. It’s patchy, it’s weak, and you’ll re-paint in a year. Guaranteed.

The big difference is simple. You’re paying for pigment. Good paint has more of it. Cheap paint is mostly water and hope.

Stick with the proper stuff: Dulux, Farrow & Ball, Johnstone's, Crown, Little Greene. Yep, it costs more but it also works. Buy Trade paint - not retail.

So to wrap it all up:

• Use emulsion.

• Match the finish to the room: matt for bedrooms, eggshell for living areas, satin for wet zones.

• Spend on decent paint. It’s cheaper over time. But don't buy too much thinking you can touch up the walls in the future. You can but not for long unfortunately. It goes off as quick as an avocado...

This isn’t complicated—it’s just experience. Follow this, and you’ll get a finish that actually lasts and looks pro.

Or... you could hire Hub and we will send round a painting pro who knows what they’re doing and makes it look easy. And save yourself a whole lot of headache.

Your call.

I know what I would do....