The best luxury paint and wallpaper brands (UK + Europe)

Forget grand redecorations – a lick of paint might be all you need to transform your clients' home. Colour psychology is no fad; it's a powerful tool that can instantly shift the mood of a room. Think sunshine yellow kitchens bursting with energy or calming blue bedrooms offering a sanctuary of peace. Paint, in essence, allows us to curate the emotional atmospheres of our living spaces.

But paint's influence goes beyond aesthetics. It acts as a unifying force. A cohesive colour scheme that complements furniture and décor creates a sense of order and polish.  Imagine a living room where the walls clash with the rug – the space feels disjointed, chaotic. Conversely, a well-considered colour story ties everything together, fostering a sense of harmony.

Paint can also be a master of illusion. Lighter colours like white or beige can visually expand a room, making it feel more spacious, while darker tones create a sense of intimacy, perfect for cosy reading nooks. In the absence of costly architectural modifications, paint offers a surprisingly effective tool for manipulating our perception of space.

Our walls aren't just canvases for colour; they can be imbued with texture and depth too. The choice of finish – matte or high-gloss – can elevate a room from basic to captivating. Imagine a sophisticated dining room with a high-gloss lacquered ceiling – the subtle sheen adds a touch of glamour without overwhelming the space.

But... we're getting excited. Before we dive in, make sure you join our free curated directory at Portaire to explore hundreds of paint and wallpaper options.

What is luxury paint?

Luxury paint offers premium quality, advanced formulations, and customizable options, ensuring professional-grade results and lasting value for homeowners aiming to elevate their living spaces with sophistication or designers looking to provide the best results to their clients.

• Premium Ingredients: Luxury paints often contain high-quality ingredients, including top-grade pigments, resins, and additives. These superior materials contribute to better colour retention, improved durability, and a more luxurious finish.
• Advanced Formulations: Luxury paint brands invest in research and development to create advanced formulations that offer enhanced performance. These formulations may include features like low VOC content, self-priming capabilities, and resistance to fading, cracking, or yellowing over time.
• Customization Options: Luxury paint brands frequently offer custom colour matching services, allowing homeowners to achieve their desired shades with precision. This level of customization ensures that each paint job is tailored to the specific preferences and aesthetics of the customer.
• Specialty Finishes: In addition to traditional matte, eggshell, and satin finishes, luxury paint lines often include a range of specialty finishes to add depth and dimension to walls. These may include metallic, pearl, suede, or textured finishes that create unique visual effects and tactile experiences.
• Professional Application: Many luxury paint brands provide guidance and support for professional painters or decorators to ensure proper application techniques. This attention to detail helps maximize the aesthetic impact of the paint and ensures a flawless finish worthy of a luxury setting.
• Long-Term Value: While luxury paint may have a higher upfront cost compared to standard paints, its exceptional quality and performance often translate into long-term value. With superior durability and colour retention, luxury paint can prolong the lifespan of a paint job, reducing the need for frequent repainting and maintenance.

Talking to Fiona de Lys, expert Colour Consultant

Colour consultant Fiona de Lys believes that colour is powerful, affecting emotions and fostering connections between people and their surroundings. With plenty of experience working with brands to pick colour schemes that reflect their values and resonate with their audience, Fiona knows that light and colour are key because they can heal, inspire, and create a sense of trust with consumers. In her opinion, trendy and timeless colours can be balanced by reinterpreting classic combinations for modern audiences.

Fiona specialises in creating Aesthetic Narratives® for her clients. From her perspective, colour is a unique tool to convey a journey, meaning that colour palettes are effectively the letters that build our story. According to our article on Fiona's colour consultancy, focusing on your colour card, that is, your unique colour scheme for a digital brand or a paint collection for a physical space, can be an effective way to deliver your unique message.

Paint and wallpaper trends for 2024 and 2025

Staying up-to-date with the latest paint and wallpaper trends can help you create a stylish and modern living space. For 2024 and 2025, Fiona de Lys expects to see a shift towards dark, sultry tones that evoke a sense of sophistication and luxury. Also, complex neutrals, which can provide a timeless and elegant backdrop for any room. These trends will cater to those looking to create a flawless finish and a modern home.

Dark, sultry tones and sage greens

Dark, sultry tones are set to make a statement in 2024 and 2025, bringing a sense of drama and sophistication to any room. Here are some key points to consider when choosing a paint colour this "daring":

• Dark shades like navy blue, azure, charcoal gray, chocolate and deep burgundy can create a moody and intimate atmosphere, perfect for a dining room or bedroom.
• Consider using sage green as a neutral alternative to traditional grays. This earthy tone adds depth and richness to a space while still maintaining a sense of calmness. A matt emulsion may work best in this case.
• Dark colours pair well with metallic accents and luxurious textures, as it heightens visual interest.
• Don't be afraid to use dark colours on all four walls for a bold and impactful statement.
• Balance the darkness with ample lighting and contrasting furniture and accessories to create a well-rounded and harmonious space.

By embracing dark, sultry tones, you can add depth and intrigue to your living space, creating a luxurious and atmospheric environment that is sure to impress.

Complex neutrals

Complex neutrals are a timeless choice for those seeking a sophisticated and elegant look. Here's what you need to know about incorporating complex neutrals into your home:

• Opt for matte emulsion finishes to achieve a smooth and velvety look that adds depth and texture to the walls.
• Consider using a combination of different neutral shades to create a layered and sophisticated effect.
• Complex neutrals work well with a variety of decor styles, from contemporary to traditional, making them a versatile option for any home.
• Use accessories and furniture in contrasting colours and materials to add interest and visual appeal to the space.

By choosing complex neutrals, you can create a timeless and elegant living space that exudes sophistication and style.

Timeless tones for YOU

When selecting paint colours for your home or design, timeless tones are always a safe bet. Here are some key points to consider when looking for timeless shades:

• Opt for colours that have stood the test of time, such as those which are deeply personal to you or veering towards desaturation.
• Consider using a combination of matte and satin finishes to create a varied and interesting visual effect.
• Choose paint brands that offer a flawless finish for a polished and sophisticated look (more on that later).

By incorporating timeless tones into your colour scheme, you can create a living space that will remain stylish and on-trend for years to come.

What are the best luxury paint brands?

Choosing the right paint brand is essential when it comes to achieving a luxurious and high-quality finish. Here are some of the best luxury paint brands to check out:

YesColours

YesColours is an award-winning sustainable paint brand offering design services. With a focus on reducing paint waste and promoting personal wellbeing, creativity, and diversity, they are transforming the interior design industry. Made in Britain certified, their innovative paints and packaging contribute to reducing the 55 million tonnes of paint waste sent to landfill annually. Their paints and design services have already been commissioned by clients ranging from hospitals, public spaces, hotels, workplaces, pop-ups and events.

Pickleson Paints

Born from a desire to create beautiful paint products that are truly sustainable, Pickleson Paint Co does everything they can to ensure their beautiful paint products can't harm those who use them or the environment around them. Responsibility and sexiness don't have to come at odds any more. Pickleson's paint is water-based, low-VOC and completely odourless. Customers can pick from blues, browns, darks, greens, neutrals, pinks, reds or yellows picked by colour experts invested in interior design and light. If that's not enough, the paints come in all types of finishes, including chalky matt, just matt, eggshell and gloss. In one short sentence, we'd say: "Great coverage, quick drying and non-toxic".

Wallpaper wonders

While paint is a popular choice for transforming walls, wallpaper offers a unique and visually appealing alternative. Here's why you should consider wallpaper for your next design project:

1. Wallpaper adds texture and depth to a space, creating a sense of luxury and sophistication. With a wide variety of patterns, colours, and textures available, wallpaper allows you to make a bold statement or create a subtle backdrop, depending on your style and preferences.

2. Wallpaper can be used to create focal points in a room, drawing attention to specific areas like fireplaces or alcoves. It can also be used to highlight architectural features or create the illusion of depth and dimension.

3. With advancements in technology and design, wallpaper is now easier to install and remove than ever before. Many brands offer self-adhesive options or peel-and-stick designs, making it a more accessible and flexible choice for homeowners.

4. Whether you prefer bold and vibrant patterns or subtle and textured designs, wallpaper offers endless possibilities for creating a unique and visually stunning living space.

Deus Ex Gardenia

Deus ex Gardenia creates luxury wall-coverings that invite you to discover a world of enchanting botanical glamour. Their work celebrates the wonder of the natural world. Established in 2022 by Katya Nappolini, a best-selling and accomplished textile designer, their collections explore the rich and diverse landscapes of the world's jungles, forests and country gardens. With a sophisticated colour palette of warm, rich and elegant hues, the Deus style pairs the distinctly modern with timeless elegance, layering historical motifs with meticulously hand-illustrated, watercolour and digitally painted newer visual styles to create one-of-a-kind visual narratives. Explore their luxury wall-coverings, with a modern-heritage vibe.

Sustainability in luxury paint and wallpaper

As the demand for sustainable products continues to grow, many luxury paint and wallpaper brands are prioritizing eco-friendly practices. By choosing sustainable paint and wallpaper brands, you can create a stylish and luxurious living space while also reducing your environmental impact. Let's go through one of the main issues surrounding sustainability in luxury paint and wallpaper.

Low VOC

Choosing low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints and wallpapers isn't just a trend – it's a conscious decision for homeowners committed to environmental responsibility.

VOCs, found in some paints and wallpapers, release chemicals that can harm both human health and the planet. Opting for low VOC alternatives significantly reduces these emissions, leading to cleaner air and a lighter environmental footprint. With their water-based formulation, low VOC products boast lower solvent content, making them a greener choice from production to disposal. Don't let the 'low VOC' label fool you – these paints and wallpapers offer top-notch coverage, durability, and an extensive palette of colours.

By opting for low VOC paints and wallpapers, you're not just decorating – you're creating a healthier living space for you and your family, especially crucial for those with respiratory issues or allergies.

Minimal Packaging

Minimal packaging is a key aspect of sustainability in the luxury paint and wallpaper industry. Here's why minimal packaging matters:

• Reducing unnecessary packaging materials helps minimize waste and the environmental impact of the products. By opting for brands that prioritize minimal packaging, you can play a part in reducing your carbon footprint.
• Minimal packaging often includes the use of recycled or recyclable materials, further reducing the impact on the environment. These materials can be repurposed or recycled, contributing to a more sustainable waste management system.
• Many luxury brands now offer refillable options, allowing you to reuse the same containers for multiple paint or wallpaper purchases. This significantly reduces the amount of packaging waste generated.
• Minimal packaging also reflects a brand's commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. By supporting these brands, you encourage the industry to prioritize sustainable packaging solutions.

When choosing luxury paint and wallpaper brands, consider their approach to packaging and opt for those that prioritize minimal packaging and sustainability.

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