Choosing paint finishes for an Irish home

Start with the surface and its use

Write down whether you are painting plaster walls, a ceiling, timber doors or another surface. Then consider everyday use: a quiet bedroom has different priorities from a hallway where bags and coats rub against the wall.

Dulux explains that sheen changes the appearance of a finish and that the location and surface should guide product choice. Ask your painter to specify a product for each area rather than buying one paint for everything.

Discuss appearance and cleaning together

Matt and higher-sheen finishes can look quite different under the same light. Ask about the particular product’s cleaning instructions and suitability; the finish name alone does not tell you everything about durability.

For kitchens and bathrooms, discuss the manufacturer’s intended use and the room conditions. Do not assume that a decorative coating will resolve persistent condensation or poor ventilation.

View samples in your own rooms

Put a shortlist beside the flooring, curtains and furniture that will stay. Look at it in daylight and under the lights you normally use. In a north-facing room or a narrow hall, a colour may feel different from the retailer’s photograph.

Keep the shortlist small enough to compare properly. Note the colour code and finish, not just a photograph of a sample, so the agreed specification can be reproduced.

Make the woodwork decision explicit

Decide whether the doors and skirting should contrast with the walls or create a quieter continuous look. Include the existing condition of timber in the quotation request. Ask how preparation and product compatibility will be checked before repainting previously coated surfaces.

Create a room schedule

A simple list with room, surface, colour code and finish avoids misunderstandings on site. Mark any undecided choices before work starts and agree a deadline for final selection. If you want help narrowing the options, send room photographs and explain the overall look you prefer when requesting your quote.