Match paint to the room and substrate
- Washability matters more in kitchens, halls and children’s rooms.
- Sheen changes appearance, cleanability and how defects show.
- Primer and surface preparation can be as important as the finish coat.
Use your own measurements
Use the linked BricoDato resource to check these inputs in your own situation. Washability, sheen, substrate compatibility and colour coverage often matter more than claims such as 'premium'.
Start with the room
Low-traffic bedrooms, busy hallways and humid bathrooms do not place the same demands on a coating. Match the paint specification to the room.
Read the technical data
Look beyond marketing names. Check substrate compatibility, coverage, recommended coats, drying time, scrub resistance and whether a primer is required.
Choose sheen deliberately
Matt finishes are often more forgiving of wall defects. Satin or eggshell can be easier to clean but may reveal uneven surfaces more clearly.
Prepare before upgrading the paint
A premium coating cannot compensate for loose material, grease, active damp or badly repaired cracks.
Choose paint by room conditions, not marketing words
Washability, sheen, substrate compatibility and colour coverage often matter more than claims such as 'premium'. Look at the technical data sheet and consider how the space is used before paying for a different finish.
Example to adapt
For a busy corridor, compare two paints applied to the same properly prepared test board. Check whether a matte finish marks during everyday contact, whether the alternative cleans as advertised and whether the colour and sheen look right in both daylight and artificial light. A sample is more useful than judging the label alone.
| Room or surface | Priority | Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Hallway | Cleanability and scuff resistance | Declared test/class and cleaning advice |
| Bedroom | Colour and finish consistency | Coverage and touch-up behaviour |
| Kitchen splash areas | Appropriate moisture and cleaning tolerance | Product permitted uses; tile if needed |
Checks before acting
- Confirm the paint is suitable for plaster, old paint or the existing substrate.
- Read the manufacturer's coverage, dilution and drying specifications.
- Choose sheen with lighting and wall imperfections in mind.
- Compare total expected coats and primer needs, not just the price per litre.
Check the substrate and product data before buying
Compare the actual room, surface and finish rather than the marketing tier on the tin. Note whether the existing wall is newly plastered, repaired, stained or painted a dark colour: each condition can change primer needs and the number of coats. For a 25 m² surface at a hypothetical 10 m²/L/coat, two coats require about 5 L before site loss, but the selected label's spread rate governs the real order.
- Match the paint to room use.
- Compare technical data, not only colour.
- Choose sheen with wall condition in mind.
- Plan primer and preparation separately.
Keep a small job sheet
Record room, substrate, finish, declared coverage, coat count and test-patch observations.
Run a test patch before choosing a finish
Test a small sample for colour in daylight and artificial light, then check wet-scrub class if cleaning is important. Separate wall area from trim and ceiling; choosing the correct coating system matters more than minimising the litres on paper.