Painting & decorating

From quick weekend updates to full room transformations, these are the painting and decorating products people are reaching for most right now.

Acoustic wall panels are a practical and increasingly popular way to reduce noise while adding a modern, textured finish to living spaces and home offices. Peel and stick wallpaper offers a quick, low-commitment way to update walls, available in a wide range of patterns, including textured wallpaper styles.

For furniture and cabinetry, cupboard paint is a popular choice for refreshing kitchens and wardrobes without a full replacement. For walls, interior wall paint covers most standard applications, while bathroom wall paint offers moisture resistance for humid spaces. Limewash wall paint continues to grow in popularity for its soft, textured finish suited to contemporary and period interiors alike.

For wallpaper, bathroom wallpaper, kids wallpaper, brick wallpaper and wood effect wallpaper are among the most searched styles. Dulux Easycare paint remains a go-to for high-traffic areas, combining washability with a durable, long-lasting finish.

Colour choice has a significant impact on the feel of a room, and the right shade can make a space feel larger, warmer, more dramatic or more restful depending on what you are trying to achieve.

Neutral and natural tones remain the most popular starting point. White wall paint, beige paint and cream wallpaper offer versatile, timeless backdrops that suit most interiors. Green paint and green wall paint continue to grow in popularity for a refreshing, natural look, while grey wall paint provides a modern, understated finish.

For bolder schemes, pink wall paint, blue wall paint and red wallpaper create striking feature walls and statement spaces. Black wallpaper and black paint add depth and drama, working well in dining rooms, hallways and alcoves.

For texture and finish, anaglypta wallpaper and black wall panels add depth and character to walls. Natural wallpaper suits organic and earthy interior schemes, while white wallpaper and gloss paint remain versatile, widely used finishes across most room types.

Choosing products from established decorating brands makes it easier to achieve consistent, long-lasting results across paint, wallpaper and finishing materials.

For paint, popular choices include Dulux wall paint, Dulux Trade wall paint, Johnstone's wall paint and Crown paint, covering a wide range of finishes and formulations for most interior applications. For specialist surfaces, Rust Oleum kitchen cupboard paint and Hammerite metal paint are trusted choices for furniture and metalwork. Zinsser primer, Polycell filler and Toupret fillers are well-regarded options for surface preparation before painting.

For wallpaper, I Love Wallpaper, William Morris wallpaper, Laura Ashley wallpaper, and Next wallpaper cover a broad range of patterns, textures and styles from classic to contemporary. For finishing and adhesive solutions, D-C-Fix sticky back plastic, Frogtape and Osmo oil are reliable choices for creative finishes, clean paint lines and natural wood treatments.

Good preparation and the right finishing products make a significant difference to the quality and longevity of any decorating project.

For surface preparation, sugar soap is an essential first step for cleaning walls before painting, removing grease, dirt and residue that would otherwise affect paint adhesion. Sandpaper is used for smoothing surfaces, filling edges and preparing woodwork before applying paint or varnish. Wood filler and wood glue are essential for repairing and reinforcing furniture, doors and skirting boards. Caulk, silicone sealant, clear sealant and expanding foam seal gaps, cracks and joints around windows, doors and plumbing. Masking tape, mounting tape and a decorating knife help achieve clean lines and precise cuts during application.

For wallpapering, wallpaper paste is a key consumable, available in ready-mixed and powder forms to suit different wallpaper weights and application methods. For finishing and protection, polyurethane varnish adds durability to wooden surfaces. White spirit is useful for cleaning brushes and removing paint spills. Super glue and sealant remover cover quick repairs and adjustments once the main decorating work is complete.