Choosing the right paint for your house

Whether you are doing the painting yourself or hiring a professional, choosing the right paint for your house is vital, both for aesthetic and practical reasons. Painting is a time consuming, costly and messy job, so it is best to get it right so that you can enjoy the results for years to come.

Choosing house paint - aesthetic considerations

When choosing the paint you will be looking at for the next ten years or so, take into account these considerations.

• External house colours may be restricted by your council in some areas, so check before beginning
• External house paint should be in colours that complement your garden and the neighbourhood
• Paint smaller rooms in 'retreating colours' - cooler shades like blues and greens to help them to feel more spacious
• To make large rooms feel more cosy, use warm shades of reds and yellows
• Painting the whole house in one colour is the easiest way to create congruity, but may lack interest. If you are going to do this, consider trim in a different shade, or paint the bedrooms, kitchen or bathroom a subtly (or dramatically!) different colour for interest
• Consider features using special effects paints

Consider the look you want, your furniture, artwork and floorings before choosing paint colours for your house.

Practical considerations for choosing paint for your house

Different paints are suitable for different applications, so for the longevity of your paint job, it is important to choose the right one:

• For external applications, use alkyd paints (this includes enamel), or latex paint. Latex dries quickly, and is moisture resistant. Alkyd paints need long drying times but are very robust when fully cured
• Gloss and high gloss paints for internal use are washable and hard, but require at least three coats. Choose gloss for doors, frames, trim, cupboards and shelving. Gloss is great for the kitchen or bathroom as it is water resistant
• Semi gloss paints include eggshell and satin finishes, and are excellent all round paints. They are relatively easy to clean, and are ideal for walls
• Matte paints are usually washable, but not as robust as the glosses. They are ideal for insides of wardrobes, hallways and other low usage areas, as they don't reflect much light

Choose the right type of paint for the application you have in mind, and don't be afraid to buy different types for different areas of the house, to suit the usage.

The right paint for your house

When you are choosing paint for your house, it is important to do so based on these practical considerations as well as aesthetic ones. The paint job will last much longer, look better and be more pleasing if you take a little time to plan what will work best before you begin. You'll be pleased you did!