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Choosing the correct wall paint is important for several practical, aesthetic and even health related reasons. Investing in a good quality paint can reduce the need for frequent repainting and increase property value by improving appearance and protecting surfaces.
Having the right colour sets the mood and influences how the space feels whether it’s warm, calming, lively or spacious.
Wall paints are also different in their resistance to wear and tear. Different finishing and formulations should be applied to different areas - for example, paint for bedrooms and bathrooms would be different. The formulation could also affect the quality of air indoors and the growth of bacteria and mold.
Nippon Odourless All-in-1 1L, $28
When you think of paint, Nippon is probably the first brand that comes to mind. With more than 1.2K sold on Shopee, the Nippon Odourless All-in-1 is a classic matte/flat multifunctional paint that comes in a wide range of colours.
It is ammonia-free and contains almost zero VOC, making it odourless and safe for indoor use. The matte finishing of the paint conceals imperfections and reduces glare, making it suitable even for rooms with large windows or strong lighting. The paint is also anti-bacteria and anti-mold, making it pretty much the most ideal paint for homes.
Reviews: Easy to open, forgot to stir but still turned out well, affordable.
The Nippon Odourless All-in-1 1L can be purchased from Shopee.
Dulux Wash & Wear Matte 1L, $85
Have a toddler who can’t stop drawing on the walls even after repeated warnings? The Dulux Wash & Wear paint is washable and can easily be cleaned, allowing the walls in the kid’s room to be protected up till they are older.
The paint is formulated with a KidProof+ technology that delays stain from penetrating into the paint film and inhibits bacteria growth, keeping the room safe and easy to maintain. Besides allowing stains to be easily wiped away, the new Silver Ion technology has an anti-virus property that works against certain viruses.
Even if there are no children at home, the Dulux Wash & Wear is ideal for interior use especially on walls behind furniture that leaves visible stains or marks. The colour selection is fairly neutral with mostly whites and ivory, making it versatile for various uses.
Reviews: Washable feature is great, reliable brand, low splashing during application.
The Dulux Wash & Wear Matte 1L can be purchased from Lazada.
Raffles R.One Paint & Primer 2-in-1 1L, $35
R.ONE by Raffles Paint is a paint and primer combination product with advanced washability technology. It has a built-in primer and sealant so you don’t have to get a separate primer on top of buying a paint, and shorten the painting process.
Similar to the previous recommendations, the formula is safer for indoor use, with low amounts of VOCs and no lead, mercury or ammonia which means less odour after application. The R.One paint is also anti-mold and anti-fungal, making it suitable for all wall types.
Apart from its primer and paint 2-in-1 feature, the biggest selling point would be the strong hiding power that covers hairline cracks effectively with fewer coats, giving vibrant and true-to-tint colours.
Reviews: Good coverage with only 2 coats, responsive customer service.
The Raffles R.One Paint & Primer 2-in-1 1L can be purchased from their website.
Gush Care 1L, $31
Gush is a local home-grown brand that is highly innovative and committed to tackling climate and sustainability problems. The wall paints contain their very own Gust proprietary catalyst, which purifies air by breaking down and removing pollutants in the air.
In general, Gush offers 4 variants - Gush CleanCare which is odourless and suitable for stain-prone walls, Gush Ultra which is a paint and sealer combined, Gush Core which is a budget-friendly basic interior wall paint, and Gush Care which is an odourless paint suitable for walls prone to moisture and humidity.
The Gush Care paint has a matte finishing with the strongest efficiency in anti-mould, anti-bacteria, VOC-free, air purifying, humidity control and odour-free, compared to the other variations. However, it is slightly lacking in its stain-resistant power so if you are expecting the paint to help your walls be free of stains and dirt for a long time, you may have to look at the Clean Care version instead.
Reviews: Water-based, easy to clean up, no strong paint smell.
The Gush Care 1L paint can be purchased from their website.
Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint 1L, $70
A more premium recommendation, the Aura collection is an elevated line under Benjamin Moore that comes with 4 different finishes - matte, eggshell, satin and semi-gloss. It delivers vibrant colours that create depth and accent for your homes with longer lasting formula and durability.
The Aura paint is infused with the brand’s Colour Lock® technology by microscopically bonding colour pigments to its paint film. This guarantees richer colours that stay true over time without fading. With its quality, you are also getting an odourless paint that is anti-mould and moisture resistant, highly washable and easy to fix and touch-up mistakes or brushmarks.
The Benjamin Moore’s Aura paint would be a great investment for those who prefer a richer and vibrant colour for their home. If you have a budget constraint, you can consider getting a small tub for smaller areas just to add a pop of colour.
Reviews: Applies evenly, great finish, easy to apply even for non-professionals.
Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint 1L can be purchased from their website.
Jotun Majestic Sense Paint 5L, $49.80
Jotun is a brand that specialises in protecting properties and has a reputation in manufacturing paints and varnishes for industrial purposes. Besides industrial grade paints, they have interior and exterior paints for homes as well.
The Jotun Majestic Sense is a premium interior paint that is specially formulated for sensitive and allergy-prone homeowners. It is formulated with Clean Air Technology to purify and enhance indoor air quality with almost zero odour. It has an ultra smooth finish with a slight sheen to cover any imperfections while allowing the colours to stay rich and long-lasting.
Although there are not many reviews on the Jotun Majestic Sense paint in Singapore, the brand seems to be popular in Malaysia with many Youtube videos showcasing the colours in newly painted homes.
The Jotun Majestic Sense Paint 5L can be purchased from stores here.
Berger Elegance 5L
Berger Elegance 5L, $80
Berger Paints is an Australian company that has a plant in Singapore to support regional product development, testing, colour matching and technical support. It has a few decorative and architectural paints that are made in Singapore - Elegance, Wallcare, Select and Royal Emulsion.
Berger Elegance is a water-based anti-bacterial interior emulsion that is odourless, highly washable, low in VOC and Green Label certified. One of its key features is the ability to neutralise formaldehyde, a common indoor pollutant from furniture, carpets and renovation materials, keeping the air indoors clean and safe.
The paint has a soft matte finish that gives a refined and subtle appearance suitable for modern interiors. It is especially ideal for families with elderly, children or pets, and newly renovated spaces with new furniture or fabrics that may emit odour or formaldehyde.
Reviews: Good quality, value-for-money, colours paint on smoothly with a nice sheen.
The Berger Elegance 5L can be purchased from their website.
Nippon Paint Odourless Anti-Mould Ceiling White 1L
Nippon Odourless Anti-Mould Ceiling White 1L, $20
The ceiling plays a bigger than expected part in ensuring the interior of the house looks clean and upkeep. The Nippon Odourless Anti-mould Ceiling White is specially designed for the ceilings, making the room look brighter and getting rid of mould problems.
It has an odourless formula with anti-fungal agents that prevent the growth of mould and mildew on ceilings, which is especially useful in humid or damp spaces like bathrooms, balconies and kitchens. It has a smooth and white finishing that is durable, stain-resistant and high coverage to give a fresher look.
Besides giving the ceiling a fresh coat, the paint is good for touch-ups around the air-conditioner, which tend to grow mould easily.
Reviews: Ceiling stays white for longer, no smell and odour, require 2-3 coats to cover up mould.
The Nippon Odourless Anti-mould Ceiling White 1L can be purchased from hardwarecity.
Raffles Paint R.Limewash 1L, $58.50
Limewash paint is a popular choice of paint among new homeowners. It can be a difficult process trying to mix the lime paint together but Raffles Paint has made the process very friendly with the introduction of the R.Limewash paint.
One of its biggest key features would be breathability, a unique characteristic of limebase paints, to regulate humidity and prevent moisture build-up. In addition, the paint is non-toxic and eco-friendly since it is made of natural lime materials, and bacteria and mould-free due to its high level of alkaline.
With a total of 44 amazing colour options, you can take your pick and start your DIY limewash painting sessions.
Reviews: Nature of the paint is very clumpy, colour is different from the chart better to see the actual product before purchasing.
The Raffles Paint R.Limewash 1L can be purchased from Shopee.
Dulux Water-based Sealer 5L, $38.99
Before you start painting, you may wish to use a sealer, also known as primer, to even out the surface of the walls. This would help with the paint adhesion and allows the paint to last longer without peeling. Getting a good primer or sealer from a reliable and credible brand is important.
Water-based sealants tend to dry faster than oil-based sealants due to the quicker evaporation of water. However, they tend to be less durable, hence more suitable for interior usage than outdoors or environments with harsher conditions.
The Dulux 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.
The Dulux Water-based Sealer 5L can be purchased from Lazada.
5 Things to look out for when buying wall paint
Mould and moisture resistance
Given the high humidity in Singapore, interior walls especially in bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms are prone to mold and fungal growth. For durability and health reasons, opt for paints that are labelled anti-mould, anti-fungal, humidity-resistant or moisture-resistant.
Low VOC and eco-friendly
Paints with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) reduce indoor air pollution and are safer for people with allergies, asthma or sensitivities. Look out for labels like Singapore Green Label, Low odour or odourless paint.
Finishing
Paints come in different finishes that suit different rooms and purposes. In general, there are 3 types of paint finishes.
- Matte / Flat: Best used for bedrooms and ceilings, able to hide imperfections but usually not washable.
- Eggshell / Satin: Best used for living and dining rooms, has a soft sheen and is easy to clean.
- Semi-gloss / gloss: Best used for kitchens and bathrooms, washable and moisture-resistant.
Coverage
Take the measurements of the walls that you want to paint. Check how many square meters per litre the paint covers, it is usually indicated on the packaging of the paint. Some sellers do offer sample sizes for you to purchase as a tester first.
Primer requirements
Fresh walls or concrete usually need a sealer or primer for proper paint adhesion. Having a primer prevents efflorescence, a white powdery stain on the wall due to humidity.