Guides
Decorator guides
25 guides and articles to help with your project.
Interior Painting — UK Cost & Decorator Guide
Interior painting transforms a room more than any other upgrade. UK costs per room, prep work and what professionals actually charge in 2026.
Exterior House Painting — UK Cost & Method Guide
Exterior paint protects the building and refreshes the look. UK costs by house size, masonry vs render and what survives UK weather.
Wallpaper Hanging — UK Cost & Pattern Guide
Wallpaper transforms rooms with pattern, texture and colour. UK costs per roll, prep work and matching pattern repeats.
Spray Painting — UK Cost & Application Guide
Airless spray gives a factory finish on woodwork and walls. UK costs, equipment and when spray beats brush-and-roller.
Kitchen Cupboard Painting — UK Cost & Refresh Guide
Painting kitchen units transforms the kitchen at a fraction of replacement cost. UK costs, methods and what survives daily use.
Woodwork Painting — UK Cost & Finish Guide
Skirting, architrave and doors deserve a proper paint job. UK costs, gloss vs eggshell and how to get a brush-mark-free finish.
Plaster Preparation for Paint — UK Cost & Process Guide
New plaster needs proper prep before paint. UK costs, mist coats, and why this is the step cheap decorators skip.
Ceiling Painting — UK Cost & Method Guide
Ceilings look bigger than walls but are quicker to paint. UK costs, white vs colour and how to handle Artex.
Lime Wash & Mineral Paint — UK Heritage Guide & Cost
Lime wash and mineral paints are breathable heritage finishes. UK costs and where they protect old buildings.
Specialist Finishes (Marbling, Wood-Graining) — UK Cost Guide
Specialist decorative finishes recreate marble, wood, stone or aged effects. UK costs for trompe l'oeil and faux finishes.
Front Door Painting — UK Cost & Colour Guide
A painted front door is the cheapest curb-appeal upgrade. UK costs, paint types and the trending colours for 2026.
Garage Door Painting — UK Cost & Refresh Guide
A refreshed garage door transforms the front of the house. UK costs by door type, prep and which finishes survive UV.
Radiator Painting — UK Cost & Method Guide
Refreshing radiators transforms a room. UK costs, heat-resistant paints and how to handle the trick areas behind the pipes.
Coving & Cornice Installation — UK Cost & Style Guide
Coving and cornice add architectural character to rooms. UK costs by style and how they finish a decoration project.
Anaglypta & Lining Paper — UK Cost & Application Guide
Anaglypta and lining paper transform old uneven walls. UK costs and where these textured papers still beat plastering.
Mould & Stain Removal Before Painting — UK Cost Guide
Mould and water stains need treatment before paint. UK costs, products and why bleach alone never solves it.
Decking & Garden Wood Paint — UK Cost & Guide
Decking, sheds and fence panels need wood treatment. UK costs for stains, oils and the new generation of exterior wood paints.
Render & Pebbledash Painting — UK Cost & Method Guide
Painted render restores tired exteriors. UK costs for masonry paint, render coatings and how to handle pebbledash.
Stripping Old Paint — UK Cost & Method Guide
Stripping old paint reveals original wood or sound substrate. UK costs by method (chemical, heat, abrasive) and DIY vs professional.
Premium Paint Brands — UK Buyer's Guide & Cost
Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and Edward Bulmer are the premium UK brands. Where the extra cost pays back and where it doesn't.
Decorator Day Rate vs Quote — UK Pricing Guide 2026
How UK decorators charge and what makes a fair quote. Day rates, fixed quotes, materials and the typical UK pricing structure.
Internal Door Painting — UK Cost & Finish Guide
Refreshing internal doors transforms a hallway and bedroom. UK costs per door, panel detailing and which finish lasts.
Kitchen & Bathroom Decoration — UK Cost & Spec Guide
Kitchens and bathrooms have specific decoration challenges. UK costs, anti-mould paints and how to handle steam and grease.
Period Property Decoration — UK Cost & Heritage Guide
Victorian and Georgian homes have specific decoration needs. UK costs, heritage colours and breathable paint for old walls.
Painting Over Stained Wood — UK Cost & Method Guide
Old varnished or stained woodwork can be painted with the right prep. UK costs and the primer system that prevents bleed-through.