Choosing the right type of paint

• Paint - the essential guide
• Choosing the right type of paint
• Floor paint
• Water-based or oil-based paints
• Exterior, masonry and woodwork paint
• Eco-friendly paints
• Paint glossary
• Paint directory

These days, there are paints to decorate every surface in the home, from melamine to ceramic tiles. Many of these formulas require no specialist preparation – Crown's Cupboard Makeover Paint is available in 12 colours and does not need a primer. There are also multi-surface paints, such as B&Q Bedec MSP Multi Surface Paint, which can be used on everything from plastic to masonry. Colours Everywhere for walls, ceilings, woodwork and radiators, and

Areas such as bathrooms and kitchens benefit from durable, mildew-resistant coverings, which are available in pre-mixed colours. However, for the more discerning, Dulux Kitchen & Bathroom paint can be mixed in any one of its 1,200 colours. Specialist paints also include some exciting new finishes, such as suede effects, metallics and high-sheen lacquers. Judy Smith, colour consultant at Crown, suggests an accent wall in one of these to lift a neutral scheme. Crown's Feature Wall range, which includes eight metallic finishes, nine bright colours and a highly reflective Pure Brilliant White, comes in convenient 1·25 litre tins.

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