Choose well
Choosing interior paint for a lived-in home
Compare paint by substrate, preparation, finish, cleaning instructions and sample testing before committing to a colour throughout your home.
Paint shopping often begins with hundreds of colours and ends with too little discussion of the wall itself. The substrate, existing coating and room conditions matter as much as the shade. Start with the surface and use, then compare products intended for that situation.
Investigate before covering
Look for flaking, staining, cracks and signs of moisture. Ask the decorator to explain preparation and the cause of defects. Repainting over an unresolved leak or unstable coating is unlikely to produce a lasting result. Keep any necessary investigation or repair separate from the decorative specification so it is not silently omitted.
Match finish to use
Consider how the wall is touched, cleaned and lit. A hallway and a quiet bedroom face different wear. Compare the manufacturer’s washability and cleaning instructions for the exact product; broad terms such as durable or premium are not enough. Glossier finishes also change how surface irregularities and reflected light are perceived.
Test a complete sample
Use a sufficiently large board or agreed wall area with the intended preparation and number of coats. View it during the day and at night, alongside flooring and fabrics. Check more than one wall orientation. Keep the product name, colour reference and finish together so a future touch-up does not accidentally use the right colour in the wrong sheen.
Plan the practicalities
Confirm coverage assumptions, drying and recoating guidance, ventilation, furniture protection and the sequence of rooms. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety information. This is a purchasing guide, not a comparison based on laboratory testing. The right choice is the product and preparation system that fit your actual room.
Your practical checklist
- Resolve surface defects before decoration.
- Ask for exact finish and cleaning guidance.
- Test colour in your home’s lighting.
- Keep labelled paint and specification records.
