Painting & Decorating

Quick Answer: Painting and decorating a home properly requires thorough surface preparation (including allowing plaster to dry for 2-4 weeks), applying mist coats to new plaster at 10:1 water-to-paint ratio, using quality materials (Dulux Trade, Crown, Johnstone’s), and working methodically room by room. Expect to pay £150-£350 per room for professional decoration in 2026, or £800-£2,500 for DIY materials for an entire house. The key to a professional finish lies in preparation (70% of the job), choosing the right paint type for each surface, and applying thin, even coats with proper drying time between layers. Understanding the Importance of Proper Surface Preparation The difference between a professional-looking paint job and an amateur one comes down to preparation. Any experienced decorator will tell you that 70% of painting and decorating is preparation work, not the actual painting itself. When we complete plastering work at Kent Plasterers, we always advise clients on proper timing before decoration. Different plaster types require different drying times, and painting too early is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make. Surface Preparation Checklist Before you pick up a paintbrush, your walls need to be in optimal condition: Clean all surfaces — Remove dust, grease, and cobwebs using sugar soap solution (available at Screwfix or B&Q for £4-£8 per litre) Fill cracks and holes — Use Polyfilla, Toupret, or Everbuild fillers for imperfections up to 20mm deep Sand filled areas — Use 120-grit sandpaper followed by 180-grit for a smooth finish Check for damp — Address any moisture issues with damp proof plaster or tanking systems before decorating Remove loose paint — Scrape off any flaking or peeling paint with a paint scraper Wash down glossy surfaces — Lightly sand gloss woodwork with 120-grit paper to provide a key for new paint Pro Tip: Always work from top to bottom when preparing rooms. Start with ceilings, then walls, then woodwork and skirting boards. This prevents dust and debris from settling on already-prepared surfaces. Mist Coating New Plaster: The Critical First Step If you’ve had fresh plastering work done, the mist coat is absolutely essential. This diluted first coat allows the plaster to breathe while creating a stable base for subsequent coats. Skip this step, and you’ll likely see paint peeling or blistering within months. According to British Gypsum’s technical guidance, new plaster must be completely dry before any decoration begins — typically 2-4 weeks depending on conditions. Mist Coat Application Guidelines Plaster Type Drying Time Mist Coat Ratio Number of Coats Gypsum skim coat 2-4 weeks 10:1 (water:paint) 1-2 mist coats Bonding plaster 3-4 weeks 10:1 to 8:1 2 mist coats Multi-finish 2-3 weeks 10:1 1-2 mist coats Lime plaster 4-8 weeks Use lime wash Multiple thin coats For detailed guidance on how many mist coats to apply, we’ve covered the specific requirements for different plaster finishes. ⚠️ Warning: Never use vinyl emulsion for mist coats. The vinyl content creates a barrier that prevents the plaster from breathing, leading to trapped moisture and eventual paint failure. Always use contract matt emulsion diluted with clean water. Choosing the Right Paint for Each Surface Not all paints are created equal, and using the wrong type for a particular surface is a false economy. In 2026, paint technology has advanced significantly, with improved coverage, durability, and environmental credentials. Paint Types and Their Applications Matt Emulsion — The workhorse of interior decoration, ideal for ceilings and low-traffic wall areas. Hides imperfections well but can mark easily. Expect to pay £18-£35 per 5L tin for quality brands like Dulux Trade or Crown Trade. Vinyl Silk/Satin — More durable than matt, suitable for high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms. The slight sheen makes surfaces easier to wipe clean. Price range: £22-£45 per 5L. Kitchen & Bathroom Emulsion — Contains fungicidal additives to resist mould growth in humid environments. Essential for bathrooms, shower rooms, and kitchens. Cost: £25-£50 per 5L for products like Dulux Bathroom+ or Johnstone’s Aqua Guard. Eggshell — Mid-sheen finish traditionally used on woodwork and trim. Increasingly popular for walls in modern homes. More forgiving than gloss, easier to apply. Price: £30-£55 per 2.5L. Satinwood — Modern alternative to gloss for woodwork. Water-based formulations dry quickly with minimal odour. Ideal for skirting boards, door frames, and window frames. Cost: £28-£50 per 2.5L. Gloss — Traditional high-sheen finish for woodwork and metalwork. Requires more preparation and skill to apply smoothly. Oil-based versions offer superior durability but have longer drying times (6-8 hours between coats). Price: £25-£45 per 2.5L. Premium vs Budget Paint: Is It Worth It? Factor Budget Paint (£12-£18/5L) Trade Paint (£25-£45/5L) Coverage 8-10 m²/L 12-16 m²/L Coats needed 3-4 coats 2 coats Durability 2-3 years 5-8 years Washability Poor to fair Excellent Colour accuracy Variable Consistent The Paint Quality Institute recommends investing in quality paint for high-traffic areas and rooms you use daily, while budget options may suffice for storage rooms or spaces you plan to redecorate soon. Essential Painting Tools and Equipment Having the right tools makes an enormous difference to both the quality of finish and the speed of work. Professional decorators invest in quality equipment because it lasts longer and produces better results. Core Painting Kit (£150-£300 for quality equipment) Roller frame and sleeves — 9″ frame (£8-£15) with medium-pile sleeves for walls (£3-£6 each). Buy multiple sleeves to avoid washing between colours Roller tray — Metal tray with disposable liners (£6-£12). Plastic trays crack easily Extension pole — Telescopic pole (£12-£25) for ceilings and high walls without ladders Brushes — 2″ and 3″ angled cutting-in brushes (£8-£18 each for Purdy or Harris brands). Cheap brushes shed bristles Dust sheets — Cotton twill dust sheets (£15-£30 each) are better than polythene — they don’t slip and absorb spills Masking tape — FrogTape or Tesa precision tape (£5-£8 per roll). Remove within 30 minutes of painting for clean lines Paint kettle — 2L metal kettle (£6-£10) for decanting paint and reducing contamination Filling knife — 4″ flexible filling knife (£4-£8) for repairs and filling Sandpaper and