A lick of paint is a simple and effective way to transform a room that's looking worse for wear, or an unloved corner of your home in need of some pizzazz. Luckily for the 21st century homes enthusiast, you can browse and buy paints online without stirring from your chair - although we do recommend you buy testers before committing to any colour.
With so many brands on the market it can be hard to know where to start, so we've put together a short and simple guide to the best places to buy paint online. And if you're decorating on a budget, keep reading for a special bonus section on the cheapest places to buy paint.
On a practical note, if you need to update your painting kit, we've tried-and-tested a range of brush sets to find the best paint brushes and put together a buyer's guide of the best painting tools - you're welcome.
The best places to buy paint online in the UK
Dulux
Ok, we're probably not exactly blowing your minds here, but Dulux is the UK's most popular paint brand for a reason! With every shade you can think of available in a variety of finishes to suit all tastes and spaces, it's the first port of call for many of us when we come to plan a room makeover. We also love their Visualiser app, which lets you see how different colours would look on your walls without picking up paintbrush! Plus, with prices starting from around £17 for a 2.5l tin, it's one of the most budget-friendly brands on the market too (read on to find our recommendations for the cheapest paints on the market).
If you're not sure where to start with your colour choice, why not start by checking out Dulux's Colour of the Year for 2022, Bright Skies (above).
Farrow & Ball
Definitely one of the most lusted-after paints among interiors fans, Farrow & Ball have become an iconic name thanks to their instantly recognisable palette of period-inspired tones which have become a staple of Instagrammer homes. Fans probably even know the names of all their favourites, from Hague Blue to Dead Salmon (yes, really!).
Farrow & Ball is a high-end option, starting from around £49.50 for a 2.5l tin. Devotees will say it's well worth the price, but you fancy the same effect at a fraction of the cost check out our sneaky guide to Farrow & Ball dupes from budget-friendly brands like Dulux.
Crown
With its roots in Darwen, Lancashire, Crown has long been one of the leading brands for British DIY enthusiasts - in fact, the company dates its founding to the opening of Dob Meadows Print Shop in 1777, although the firm wouldn't manufacture its first paints for another hundred years.
In 2001, Crown released its groundbreaking 99% solvent-free Breatheasy range, which forms the core of its offering today and remains a particular favourite for those who live with asthma or allergies. With a vast colour spectrum of matt and silk emulsions available, it's impossible to pick a favourite, but we think their Clay White (above) gives luxe brands a run for their money.
Valspar
One of the oldest paint companies still in business, Valspar began life in 1806 as a paint store in Boston, Massachusetts. More than 200 years later, its wide range of colours and finishes means is still one of the most popular choices for interior decoration.
In the UK, Valspar has a distribution partnership with B&Q, so head to their stores or the website to browse the range, or use the in-store colour matching service to create a custom shade just for you. With 2.2 million possible variations available, you'll be able to find a perfect match for that dream colour you spotted in a magazine!
Lick
A relative newcomer to the consumer paint market, Lick's key selling point is its simplicity. In a vast decorating market where literally every shade under the sun is at your fingertips, it's easy to agonise over almost-identical colours for weeks and months without ever doing any actual, you know, painting. Lick, on the other hand, offers just a handful of shades, and avoids high-faluting colour names in favour of the simplest labels imaginable: White No. 1, Green No.4 etc.
This stripped-back offering makes choosing a colour a stress-free experience, but of course it wouldn't work if the colours weren't outstanding. Luckily, they are! Check them out on MADE.com - we're partial to Pink No. 2 (above).
And if you're considering a feature wall, they also sell wallpaper!
Frenchic
Chalk paint is in every keen upcycler's cupboard as a way to bring fresh life to old furniture, but did you know you can also use it on your walls? If you love chalk paint for its vintage-look muted colours and chalky soft finish, consider decorating a wall or even a whole room with it. Frenchic chalk paints are among our favourites for our upcycling projects, and they also offer a selection of wall paints to give your walls the same velvety ultra-matt finish.
Cheapest places to buy paint
A lick of paint is one of of the most cost-effective improvements you can make to your home, and you can make it even more budget-friendly by searching out some of the cheaper paint brands on the market. Read on for a few of our favourite shops for low-cost paint:
Wilko
At Wilko, 2.5 tins of emulsion paint start from just £12, and are available in matt, silk and 'tough and washable' matt finishes, as well as specialist bathroom and kitchen paint with anti-moisture properties. All paints have a dry time of two to four hours, and can be wiped clean.
Low-budget ranges don't always offer much choice when it comes to colour, but in Wilko's own-brand range includes ten shades of blue, ten greys, eight greens and six shades of pink.
Wickes
Wickes is a mainstay for professional and amateur DIY-ers alike, and you'll find popular paint brands Dulux and Crown on their shelves. But you might not realise that Wickes also sells a huge range of own brand paints, with prices starting from as low as £8 for a 2.5l tin.
Most of their walls and ceilings emulsions come in a matt finish, but there are a handful of silk and soft sheen options, too, all touch dry in as little as one hour.
Dunelm
Dunelm is one of our go-to destinations for stylish and affordable homeware, so when we heard that the retailer was releasing a collection of own-brand paints, we were pretty excited. As it turns out, we were right to be - while you'll find lovely whites, pastels and neutrals in the range, for our money the real standouts are the deep jewel tones. Dark and dramatic, these intense shades offer a truly luxe look at £16 for 2.5 litres. And at the time of publishing, they were on sale for the even lower price of £12.80. Bargain!
Homebase
As well as stocking paints from top brands like Dulux, Crown, Farrow & Ball and Abigail Ahern, Homebase also boasts a sizeable range of affordable own-brand paint. If its a simple coat of white paint you're after, you'll find it hard to beat Homebase's Pure Brilliant White, available at just £9 for a 2.5l tin.
Other colours start from £15 for a 2.5l tin, and you can choose between matt, silk and durable finishes.
