We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Get a flawless finish at any budget
The UK is full of brilliant paint brands – beyond the stalwart names with decades of trust behind them, a wave of independents has emerged over the past decade with great credentials, interesting palettes and a genuine passion for the craft.
Whether you're a first-time decorator working up the courage to colour drench a hallway, a serial upcycler in search of the perfect chalk finish, or someone who simply wants the most beautiful shade of green money can buy, there is a brand on this list for you.
Before you fall head-first into a colour, it's worth thinking about what you actually need from your paint. Coverage is the first thing to look at – premium paints tend to use higher levels of pigment, meaning you'll often get away with two coats rather than three or four, which can offset the higher price. Finish matters just as much as colour. A dead-flat matt will absorb light and hide imperfections beautifully, but it's not often wipeable, while an eggshell or durable matt will work in kitchens, hallways and anywhere else you're likely to find little fingerprints.
Think about VOCs too. Volatile organic compounds are the chemicals that give freshly painted rooms that distinctive smell, and at high levels they're not great for indoor air quality. Most of the brands on this list have moved to low or zero-VOC formulas.
And don't underestimate the value of a good paint sample. Colour behaves entirely differently depending on the light in your room and the time of day. Order the tester and save yourself a very expensive mistake...
Best for: Design purists
Farrow & Ball is the brand that made paint cultural. With just over 130 colours, it has a devoted following among designers and decorators who swear nothing else creates quite the same depth of pigment. Yes, it costs more than most. And yes, it's worth the price.
Whilst you might find their Estate Emulsion tricky to clean if you've got muddy kids or excitable dogs, the Modern Emulsion is far more practical, and the finish – velvety and light-absorbing – is genuinely hard to replicate.
Best for: No-nonsense reliability
There is a reason Dulux is in more British homes than any other brand. Their paints are renowned for their durability, making them ideal for busy family households.
The colour range is vast – there are thousands of options – and whilst they may not give you quite the same depth as a premium brand, where budget and practicality matters, Dulux consistently delivers.
Pictured: Raw Cashmere by Dulux Heritage with House Beautiful Aurora Worktops at Worktop Express
Best for: Upcycling
Annie Sloan invented her revolutionary Chalk Paint™ after frustration at the lack of decorative furniture paint options available. The genius of it is the simplicity – Chalk Paint™ is designed to be easy to use, quick and reliable, with no need for sanding or priming. It's primarily a furniture paint rather than a wall emulsion, but if you've ever wanted to transform a knackered chest of drawers, it's the perfect tool.
In 2021, Annie did introduce a range of complementary wall paints, expanding the offering for those who want the whole room in that signature chalky finish.
Pictured: Aubusson Blue and Emperor's Silk, both by Annie Sloan
Best for: A decorator's finish
Founded in Brooklyn in 1883 by the Moore brothers, Benjamin Moore is steadily growing in popularity in the UK, with The Paint Shed and Brewers as key stockists.
The pigmentation in their paints is richer than most at this level, and professional decorators consistently cite it as a go-to for flawless coverage. The colour range is good too – around 270 shades in the UK – meaning there's no compromising on the exact tone you're after.
Pictured:Yellow Squash and Bone White, both by Benjamin Moore
Best for: Maximalist homes
As you'd expect from a brand built on maximalist wallpapers and fearless print, House of Hackney's paint collection is anything but timid. The palette includes an extensive exploration of green, inky blues, rusty reds, dusky pinks and fresh yellows.
The brand is also B Corp certified, and for each tin sold, House of Hackney purchases and protects 35 square metres of ancient and endangered forest. Gorgeous stuff, if you're brave enough.
Pictured: Auric by House of Hackney
Best for: The eco-paint aficionados
Edward Bulmer specialises in plastic-free, non-toxic and plant-based paints, and they are known for kitting out both historic and modern homes with luxurious and durable finishes that are both long-lasting and wipeable.
Their palette is elegant and anchored in soft, natural tones drawn from centuries of interior design history.
Pictured: Lilac Pink by Edward Bulmer, in the home of interior designer, Sarah Brown
Best for: The first-time decorators
Lick is a breath of fresh air amongst paint brands, totally switched on to what customers want – an eco-conscious, low VOC product made in the UK, with peel-and-stick samples so you can see how a colour looks in different lights without leaving marks or mess. Their numbered colour system makes choosing a shade super straightforward, too.
Their Supreme Ultra Flat Matt is multi-surface, covering walls, ceilings, woodwork and radiators with one product. Smart, sustainable and genuinely good value.
Pictured: Green 14 by Lick
Best for: Foolproof colour schemes
Little Greene has been around since the 18th century, and partners with the likes of The National Trust and English Heritage – which says something about their credentials.
Their colour palette spans from chalky heritage tones to deep, dramatic moods that feel very now. The quality and coverage is exceptional, and their colour families mean you can create a coherent design scheme between rooms with ease.
Best for: On-trend collabs
Launched by Valspar, V&CO arrives with a collection of 45 colours curated by industry experts, offering superior durability (water, dirt and stain resistant), and a dead-flat matt finish with genuine depth of colour.
The extra clever part? Thanks to Valspar's colour-matching technology, V&CO is also available in an extraordinary range of custom shades. It's sold exclusively at B&Q, which makes it one of the most accessible premium-leaning paint brands around.
Pictured: Cream/Shade 2 by V&CO
Best for: The texture obsessives
Launched in 2000 by former textile designers, Bauwerk paint is completely natural – made from clay, minerals and natural pigments – making it non-toxic and non-polluting.
Their limewash has that soft, cloud-like, light-shifting finish that no standard emulsion can replicate. It does require a slightly different application technique and a bit of preparation, but the results are extraordinary – demonstrated perfectly in this seaside home in Folkestone. It's currently one of the most searched-for finishes in interior design.
Pictured: Limewash paint by Bauwerk
Best for: Matching your wallpaper
Graham & Brown's particular superpower is coordination – the paint range is designed to pair seamlessly with their extensive wallpaper collection, making it easy to create a cohesive scheme without the guesswork. The palette feels contemporary, with lots of warm earth tones, botanical greens and dusky blues, and the quality is solid.
Pictured: Hot Mocha, Edlderton and Honey Pot, all by Graham & Brown
Best for: Period homes
Paint & Paper Library is one of the most premium luxury paint brands, with an offering of colours and finishes that is both elegant and elevated.
The brand's thoughtfully graded colour families make coordinating between rooms a breeze, and the finishes – from deep matt to soft sheen – are top notch. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny.
Pictured: Stone V by Paint & Paper Library
Best for: Sustainability-first decorators
COAT's range of shades makes it easy to emulate your favourite interiors projects at home, and their peel-and-stick swatches make testing new colours far less messy.
It is committed to carbon-offsetting, zero-waste production (everything is mixed fresh to order), and a 360-degree recycling scheme to ensure nothing ends up in landfill.
The colour range is smart and on-trend, skewing towards considered neutrals and muted tones. It's one of Kevin McCloud's personal favourites, for what it's worth.
Pictured: Soufflé by COAT in Sheree Millington's pretty Margate home
Best for: Colours with gravitas
Mylands has been around since 1884, and is still family-run today. Queen Elizabeth first granted a Royal Warrant to Mylands in 1985, and the brand has since been granted the Royal Warrant by King Charles too, a recognition of expert craftsmanship and its commitment to sustainability.
All 120 of their paint colours – which are, across the board, rich and lustrous – are named after the great people, places and things of London. You'll find Mylands at B&Q and Brewers online, so it's more accessible than you might expect from a brand of its pedigree.
Pictured: Egerton Place by Mylands in The Country House, Cumbria
Best for: Boutique results on a budget
Claybrook started life as a tiles and bathrooms brand, which means they know a thing or two about considered interiors and durable finishes. Their paint collection features 75 colours – and is water-based, low in VOCs, cruelty-free and made in the UK – at a price point that competes with other high-end brands.
Like several of the best indie brands, each tin is made to order, and instead of sample pots they offer free painted card swatches to reduce waste. Not the most well-known name on this list, but a genuine hidden gem with exceptional value for money.
Pictured: Muddy Maddy by Claybrook
How to nail pink paint in your home
This popular antique will be everywhere in 2026
Why designers say 'broken floor plans' are the best home layout in 2026
Little Greene’s new National Trust wallpapers
