The days are starting to get longer now and going into the garden might seem more tempting. But if you've neglected it over the winter months (we don't blame you), your wooden fence panels and shed may be making your garden look rundown. That's where wood paint comes in - a coat of this stuff can totally transform your garden.
Some good quality wood paint can even change the inside of your home for the better. Sick of that tired looking vanity unit? Give it an easy makeover with some wood furniture paint. The same goes for a discoloured skirting board or doors.
Using wood paint is an easy way to transform the look of your home without turning it into a building site or forking out loads of money. We've found the very best wood paint on the market to suit any task and any budget so you'll know which one suits your needs perfectly.
The best exterior wood paint
1 of 6Ronseal Garden Paint
Ronseal is known for doing "exactly what it says on the tin," and this garden paint will add colour to wooden surfaces in your garden with a quality finish. It is rainproof after only one hour, which will help your wood stay in great shape, especially as this paint won't peel. Primarily a wood paint, it can also be used on masonry, metal and tile, if an appropriate primer is used.**Pros:Waterproof coatGreat selection and variety of colours Can be used on more than just woodCons:**To get the best colour, you'll need to do a couple of coats
2 of 6Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback Autumn Brown Treatment
My dad, a builder of over 40 years, swears by Cuprinol for painting fences and sheds, so it must be good quality. The Ducksback range is enriched with wax to offer five years of weather protection. It's also non-drip and low-odour, meaning it's easy to apply. Each tin should also cover five-square metres of wood. **Pros:Top-grade weather protectionEasy to applyCons:**You'll need multiple tins for a larger garden Lacks colour variety
3 of 6Wilko Garden Colour
Offering both water and ultraviolet protection, this garden paint from Wilko is an ideal budget option that'll keep your wood safe without a premium price. There's a reasonable selection of colours available and one tin should cover up to 10-square metres. **Pros:Good value for money Offers both ultraviolet and water protectionCons:**Not suitable for decking
4 of 6Cuprinol Garden Shades
If vivid colours are your number one desire, Cuprinol's Garden Shades offer some amazing looking colours that will protect the wood for six years. It's formulated so the rich colour doesn't obscure the natural wood grain beneath. **Pros:**A wide selection of coloursVivid finish Long-lasting protection **Cons:**Will need a second coat to get full-colour depth
5 of 6Sadolin Extra Durable Woodstain
Although not technically a wood paint, wood stain is designed to protect the wood beneath while enhancing its natural colour. The wood stain from Sadolin is designed for use on external doors, window frames and even conservatories, and should offer great weather and ultraviolet protection. **Pros:Perfect for windows and doorsExceptional durabilityCons:**It's not a traditional wood paintNot suited to fence panels or sheds
6 of 6Johnstone's Garden Colours
Johnstone's paint is usually of great quality without a premium cost, and the Garden Colours range is a perfect example of this. Offering a vast selection of colours and claiming to be fade-resistant, it's a good option for your garden. One coat should be enough for most wood types, too (only rough or cracked wood will need a second coat).**Pros:**Great valueGood selection of colours available **Cons:**Only offers four years of protection
The best interior wood paint
1 of 4Johnstone's Quick Dry Satin
Perfect for touching up the wooden fittings in your home, this water-based paint is suitable for use on skirting boards, interior doors, radiators and staircases. The finish is a medium sheen and it shouldn't start to yellow after a while. **Pros:A brilliant way to liven up your home easilyDoubles as radiator paintCons:**Limited colour selection
£14.50
2 of 4Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint
Rust-Oleum Furniture Paint is excellent because it works on most surfaces without needing any priming, and offers a rich colour range. Totally transform a tired-looking piece of furniture with a high-quality matte finish. We're particularly taken with this nice mustard colour, especially with vibrant yellow being Pantone Colour of the Year. There are more fantastic colours available however. Pros:Designed for furnitureOutstanding finish after one coatCons: Can't be used on outside furniture
3 of 4Johnstone's Revive Chalky Furniture Paint
Shabby chic is all the rage at the minute and this chalky paint will give that aged look to any piece of wooden furniture you own. The paint will dry quickly once applied and the finish should be scratch-resistant. **Pros:**Lovely looking chalky finish **Cons:**Poor selection of coloursYou'll need to prepare the wood for a better shabby chic finish
4 of 4Shabby Chic Chalk Based Furniture Paint
A more unusual wood paint, this offering has a nice metallic quality and will give your painted furniture a real touch of class. Relatively quick-drying, this paint can also be used on brick, stone and plaster without any priming. **Pros:Suitable for both indoor and outdoor useMetallic finish looks awesomeCons:**Rather pricy option
FAQs:
What should I look for in a good wood paint?
Depending on whether you're after interior or exterior wood paint, you should consider a few things before you buy any paint. If you're buying exterior paint, your top concern should be protection. The very best exterior paints will offer weather and ultraviolet protection. This will not only keep your paint from fading over time but will protect the wood beneath, too. Prioritise this when searching for any wood paint.
For both interior and exterior wood paint, also consider the range of colours available and drying time. A wider range of colours means more choice for you, and a quicker drying time means less inconvenience. Finally, think about the inevitable touch-ups that'll be required. It may be an idea to buy an extra tin in case the colour is discontinued by the manufacturer.
Related: The best tools for DIY
How to use exterior wood paint:
Exterior wood paint is very simple to use in most cases. All the best exterior paints we've listed do not require any priming if you're painting on wood, meaning all you need to do is ensure the wood is dry and free of any debris, like moss. Unless explicitly stated on the paint tin, you should do two coats to get the best colour and protection (just make sure the first one is dry before doing the second coat).
We recommend using a dedicated brush for the best finish, and make sure you use a good quality one. It's acceptable to use a spray gun, but these are more likely to drip if you aren't careful and you need to watch out for high winds (so, basically anywhere in the UK).
Once you're done painting, most exterior paints should be rain-proof after an hour, so there's no need to cover up your surface. Most should be fully dry after about six hours and leave no nasty odours.
How to use interior wood paint:
Interior wood paint is more varied than exterior wood paint, so it's best to look at what the tin says to do. If you're using furniture paint then you can apply it to pretty much any wooden surface without preparation. If you want a shabby chic look, you can use some sandpaper on the surface once the paint has dried to distress the finish.
What to read next:
The biggest interior trends of the year according to experts