10 Best Wall Paint Singapore: Nippon vs Dulux vs Gush (2023)

In interior design, the colour of your wall is one of the most important factors that will influence the end result. Painting your walls is definitely one of the easiest and fastest ways to transform your home if you are thinking of embarking on a renovation journey. 

Apart from paint colour, there are also many different types of wall paint for you to choose from, depending on your needs and the area to be painted.

Wall paint can have different functions, ranging from air purifying and anti-bacterial to anti-mould. Gone are the days where we have to evacuate a room being painted, as most wall paints are now odourless or low-odour. 

10 Best Wall Paint Singapore 

Whether you are starting your renovation journey, or simply want to refresh a room with a new coat of wall paint, read on for our recommendations for the best wall paints you can buy in Singapore.

*Prices accurate as of time of writing

Nippon Odour-less All-in-1 ($38.52)

Best Overall Wall Paint

The Nippon Odour-less All-in-1 is an all rounded option that is one of the most popular wall paints in Singapore, used by both paint companies and DIY home painters.

It contains almost zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds, which are the source of harmful gases emitted by paints), which means there is almost no paint odour. It is also washable and mould and mildew resistant, which is a common problem in our humid climate.

Nippon also has the widest range of colours available in Singapore, so you can really find the perfect shade of white that you envisioned.

Nippon Odour-less All-in-1 is available from $38.52 (1 Litre) on the Nippon Paint website.

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Gush Cair

Best Budget Wall Paint ($25)

One of the newest and Singapore-born brands on the market, Gush is highly innovative and committed to tackling climate problems and sustainability for the earth. Gush’s wall paints contain their very own Gust proprietary catalyst, which purifies air by breaking down and removing pollutants in the air such as benzene, toluene and formaldehyde. 

Gush Cair also contains Gush Absorption Element, which stops mould spores and bacteria from water from growing on the surface. It even touts to be humidity regulating, which is much needed here in Singapore.

Despite all that, Gush has one of the lowest priced wall paints in Singapore, possibly because it is still a new and growing brand. But with all of its accreditations and research-backed testing and reports, we would totally give it a go. Plus, support local right? 

Gush Cair is available from $25.23 (1 Litre) on the Gush website.

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Nippon Odour-less Room Makeover Bundle ($228)

Best Wall Paint Bundle

If you’re planning on painting your walls by yourself, consider purchasing a paint bundle, especially if you are painting just one room. The Nippon Odour-less Room Makeover Bundle conveniently contains everything you need to get started - from painting tools and brushes to tape, dropsheets to protect your furniture and floors. 

It also comes with the 5101 Odour-less Wall Sealer to prime your walls, Odour-less All-in-1 in your colour of choice, and the Odour-less Anti-Mould Ceiling White for your ceiling. 

Nippon Odour-less Room Makeover Bundle is available at $228.75 on the Nippon Paint website.

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Gush Cair Fresh ($28)

Best Living Room Wall Paint 

Just like the Gush Cair, Gush Cair Fresh is also able to purify air, and prevent mould and bacterial growth. In addition, it is washable and stain resistant, something much needed for living rooms where people spend a lot of time in.

Daily activities like eating, drinking and even just moving around in general can cause spills and stains. Especially if there are children around - being able to wipe the wall with a damp cloth can help keep your walls fresh and stain-free.

Gush Cair Fresh is available from $28.04 (1 Litre) on the Gush website.

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Nippon Mozzieguard ($155)

Best Bedroom Wall Paint

If you prefer to sleep with the windows open for a natural breeze, pesky mosquitos are probably a problem. But the real problem is when they are Aedes mosquitoes, carrying the dreaded dengue fever. The Nippon Mozzieguard is a solution to this, as it has active ingredients encapsulated into the paint polymers which works to repel and even knock down Aedes mosquitoes that rest on the wall.

This is great for any room that is exposed to mosquitoes, especially bedrooms since there is a greater chance of getting bitten while sleeping. It is also low odour, fungus and algae resistant and washable, so it is overall great for those with a mosquito problem.

Nippon Mozzieguard is available at $155.15 (5 Litres) on the Nippon Paint website.

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Raffles Paint R.Baby ($50)

Best Children’s Room Wall Paint

R.Baby from Raffles Paint is a baby-safe and VOC-free water-based wall paint that was formulated specifically for nurseries and children’s rooms.

Not only is it non-toxic and safe for the environment, it is also formulated with Advance Anti-Formaldehye technology that can absorb pollutants and convert them to water vapour. Plus, it also inhibits microbial and bacterial growth. Sounds like magic, but it’s really just innovation. 

The R.Baby wall paint is a paint + primer, so it is pretty quick and easy to apply with 2-3 coats. Importantly, it is washable and water-resistant, so it is easier to clean up when your child makes a mess.

R.Baby is available from $50 (1 Litre) on the Raffles Paint website.

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Nippon Odour-less Anti-Mould Ceiling White ($31)

Best Toilet Wall Paint

Having personal experience with mouldy toilet ceilings, I can attest to the annoyance of seeing black specks and patches while showering.

Even though mould sprays and other anti-mould products were effective at getting rid of them, they came back days later and it really drove me nuts. The Nippon Odour-less Anti-Mould Ceiling White is truly a lifesaver as the mould has not reappeared after repainting my toilet ceiling. 

It is formulated with anti-mould properties with protection against a wide range of mould species. It is also water-resistant and with excellent coverage that can cover up existing mould stains. With excellent flow and levelling, it is easy to use so even painting novices can touch up the toilet ceiling themselves. 

Nippon Odour-less Anti-Mould Ceiling White is available from $31.03 (1 Litre) on the Nippon Paint website.

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Jotun Jotashield Colour Extreme ($23)

Best Outdoor Wall Paint

For those living in landed properties, the exterior walls of your home will need to be taken care of as well. Jotun is a brand that specialises in protecting properties, and they are well known for manufacturing paints and varnishes for industrial purposes. Naturally, outdoor wall paint is their specialty. 

The Jotashield Colour Extreme is truly the best paint you can choose for the exterior of your home, especially in Singapore’s hot and humid tropical climate. Jotun’s proprietary pigment technology allows for higher resistance to UV rays, which helps your walls stay bright and fresh for longer. 

It also utilises the latest biocide technology to prevent algae and fungus growth even in our humid weather. Dirt does not stick easily and can be washed off by rain, which will save you some cleaning dollars. 

Jotun Jotashield Colour Extreme is available from $23.50 on amricco.

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Nippon Aqua Primer Sealer Undercoat ($26)

Best Paint Primer

A very key and essential step that many tend to skip out on while painting walls is applying primer. Priming your walls before painting will ensure that the paint has an even surface to go on. It also helps with better adherence so as to avoid the possibility of peeling paint in future.

Nippon’s Aqua Primer Sealer Undercoat is a highly recommended, all-rounded option for a paint primer. It is good for all surfaces, from walls and ceilings to wood and metal.

The quick dry, non toxic formula reduces the waiting time between coats and most importantly, it has excellent adhesion to help your paint stay longer. 

Nippon Aqua Primer Sealer Undercoat is available from $26.75 (1 Litre) on Nippon Paint’s website.

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Dulux Sealer - Water-Based ($53)

Best Paint Sealant

As the name suggests, many would assume sealer paint to be a kind of top coat that can seal the paint in, but it is actually a specific type of primer. Although you can use it as a finish coat, sealers are generally used as a substitute or before the use of a primer to fill in unevenness for a smooth surface to apply paint on.

Dulux’s water-based sealer is suitable for both old (previously painted) and new walls, and is great for adhesion on many types of surfaces. It is also able to tolerate humidity, and prevent rusting for metal surfaces. It is also great that it only has a low amount of VOCs and no strong odour in comparison to other sealers. 

Dulux Sealer (Water-based) is available at $53.20 (5 Litres) on Lazada.

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DIY House Wall Painting

If your home is in need of a facelift, why not round up the whole family for a DIY painting project? Besides being able to personalise your own spaces, you’ll be surprised at the wonders a fresh new coat of paint can do. But before you jump right in, make sure to be prepared and know what to do for a hassle-free process.

Here, AzkoNobel, the manufacturer of Dulux wall paints, share their top 8 DIY wall painting tips.

Before wall painting:

1. Use sandpaper to smoothen out uneven surfaces so you can paint over easily and nicely. Wrap the sandpaper around a block to make it easier to handle.
2. Use a good tape to mark out the area you’re painting, so you get a clean finish with no smudges or splatters outside the border.
3. Clean dirty surfaces with a damp cloth, letting it dry after. This allows the new coat to be applied smoothly, and prevents the paint from chipping or peeling off.

When wall painting:

1. If you’re using ready-mixed paints (paints that have been mixed to a customised colour), always stir first so that the paint sediments get mixed evenly for homogeneous colour.
2. Always begin from the ceiling or top of the walls and work your way down. This is to prevent any dripping paint from ruining a newly completed surface.
3. Apply several thin coats, rather than one thick coat of paint. Brush on the paint with long and even strokes.
4. Even when you’re taking a break, close the paint cans tightly so it retains its consistency. When you resume, stir the paint to ensure it is mixed thoroughly for an even coat.
5. Use turpentine to remove stains caused by oil-based paint. Also, soak brushes and rollers in it for easy washing up.
    

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How much paint do I need for HDB?

There's no easy way to know the exact amount of paint you'll need when it comes to painting your home, but there are plenty of ways to make the estimation. Professional wall painters actually use an exact wall paint amount formula for estimating how much paint you'll need.

1 Gallon (3.8l) of paint can cover 350 sq ft of walls
1 Litre of paint can cover 129 - 139 sq ft of walls

Find your wall area (in square feet):
Total length of walls x Height of wall = X sq ft

Subtract the area of your doors (Dsqf) and windows (Wsqf):
X sq ft - (Dsqf + Wsqf) = Final wall area

Final wall area divide by 350 sq ft:
Final wall area / 350 = Gallons of paint you need

You will really need your HDB floor plan to calculate the wall area. Do not mistake the wall area for the floor area, which looks something like that instead.

*One room floor size estimate is based on a 4-room HDB floor plan

High quality paint requires few coats of paint If you need to paint your doors, trim and frames, about 10% of your total paint is enough to keep you covered. Paint tins usually include information on the area a litre of the paint can cover.

But if you, like us, are too lazy, just use the many online estimators available for use from Dulux, Bunnings, or Glidden.

Now that you're ready to buy wall paint for your HDB, here's a list of other painting accessories you'll need to buy:

Wall painting tools list:

1. Sand paper to even out rough textures and smooth down walls.
2. Mild soap and water to clean your walls
3. Newspaper (or tarp if you have it) to protect your floors and your furniture
4. Painter's tape is perfect for covering areas you don't want painted, a must-have for those painting patterns. 
5. Aluminium foil is used to cover skirting, doorknobs, switches and small fixed items you don't want covered in paint.
6. Paint tray
7. Roller brush can be attach it to a bamboo pole if you can't be bothered to climb on a ladder. We know we can't.
8. Angled brush is great for tighter corners and small edges
9. Small flat brush is used to paint small areas around the edges of your room or at the edges of your painter's tape.
10. Wall Paint Primer: This is what ensures that you'll need less coats and that your paint goes on evenly. Some paints come with primer mixed into the paint colour but check the packaging for that information.

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DIY Wall Painting Problems

A DIY paint home can bring your renovation cost down, however, you may run into some problems along the way. We list some common painting hiccups and tips on how to overcome them.

1. Paint splotches on wall

If you're finding stains or splotches and patches while DIY painting your house, know that the stains are likely caused by grease or mildew left behind on the walls (may be invisible to the naked eye).

These stains can be removed by first wiping the area with a damp cloth. After it’s dry, sand down the area a little and paint over the stain with a primer. Leave it to dry and cover it with a coat of paint.

2. Paint dripping and spilling all over the floor

Painting your house and the wall paint is dripping all over the floor and your furniture? You are overloading your paint brush with too much paint!

If the drips are new, quickly wipe it off and brush on a second coat. If the drips have dried, scrape it off with a chisel or razor blade, then prime and touch up the area.

3. Wall paint wrinkled and flaking

What to do if the wall paint is starting to wrinkle and flake? Know that it's because the paint work on your wall is old. To fix it, you will need to unfortunately do a pretty big job - strip the area of paint with paint remover or a hot-air gun. and it down till it’s smooth. Prime it and cover it with two coats of wall paint.

4. Wall paint showing cracks

If your wall is still showing crack lines after a fresh coat of paint, it's because the wall cracks were not properly patched before painting. Proper patching of cracks is necessary before you paint over them.

To fix the wall paint crack lines, you will need to purchase caulking compound from a hardware store and apply a thin bead over the crack. Smooth it out with a chisel and wipe away the excess with some rubbing alcohol. Remove any loose plaster and widen cracks, if necessary.

Using a putty knife, apply putty or a caulking joint compound to the cracks. Allow to dry overnight.

The next day, use fine-grit sandpaper to evenly sand the area and remove bumps. If needed, apply second layer, let it dry and re-sand. Paint as required. Prime the area and then touch it up with a coat of paint.

5. Wall paint has white streaks

If you find yourself battling with stubborn white streaks while painting your walls, know that it might not be your painting technique. White paint streaks could be caused by "chalking", basically mould that appear as powdery white streaks on the wall - you wouldn't be able to detect it if your walls were white!

To get rid of the chalking mould, first dilute half-cup of bleach in 4.5 litres of water. With an abrasive scrubber, use the diluted bleach to remove mould growth. Then, allowthe wall to dry.

Then, wipe the affected surface with a mixture of vinegar and water (1:4) to re-harden the plaster. Allow wall to dry again. Now, you can coat the wall with a paint primer and start painting over.

6. Wall paint has blisters

Pop the wall paint blisters with a putty knife and peel the loose material away. Then, remove any residue by wiping with a clean cloth and warm water. Gently sand edges to smoothen out the surface. Finally, apply some putty or caulking joint compound if needed to smoothen out the wall surface further. Then, you can apply a wall paint primer and start painting.

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