Some paints are better than others at surviving in challenging environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. My go-to white emulsion is Johnstone’s Covaplus Vinyl Matt but I wouldn’t apply it in bathrooms and kitchens because it’s not as resistant and durable as Zinsser Permawhite when it comes to humid environments. Ever since changing over to MacPherson Eclipse, there’s nothing else I’d consider using. Tikkurila AR2 is a quality white ceiling paint but it’s just too expensive considering Eclipse does the same job. I suppose it comes down to budget. If budget is not an issue and you want the best paint money can buy, then Johnstone’s Perfect Matt is the ideal product.

I frequently use Valspar Tough Matt for various projects, and it’s never failed to deliver a pleasing result. The paint provides great coverage and a pretty flat finish, emitting a lovely white glow that is certain to brighten any room. It’s also worth noting that I’ve never experienced any issues with flaking off, though it’s not the ideal choice for new plaster. Anti-Reflex 2 in white and Macpherson Eclipse don’t picture frame, go patchy and I’ve touched it in without issue. The big difference the Perfect Matt is how white the paint is. I’m a big Anti-Reflex fan, but the Perfect Matt is definitely the crispest, bright white I’ve ever seen.Whilst the opacity is good, it’s not the best so you will probably need at least 3 coats, especially if you’re covering a darker colour than white but it’s a price worth paying as you’ll avoid problems further down the line. Second coat applied, very good, smooth and silky too apply, and it does dry to very flat matt finish. this paint really is a joy to use. One thing I would say is anyone can get a flawless finish with Johnstone’s perfect matt. If price doesn’t come into it and you’re not bothered about other products being better value for money, then perfect matt may be the product for you. It’s also worth mentioning that I’ve only given you a review in white, but this product can actually be tinted into any colour from Johnstone’s vast range.

Those of a sensitive disposition should be aware emulsion paint contains chemicals that may trigger an allergic reaction. Dulux’s contribution to our shortlist includes the snappily-titled ‘ 5-Chlor-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one’ and ‘ 2-Methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one’. The Perfect Matt is designed to be touched up, up to 4 years later, but I would point out that I’ve never been asked to touch up a ceiling up 4 years down the line. In most cases the lady of the house will take the opportunity to redecorate the whole room. Albany Supercover is a robust and reliable choice when it comes to painting over dark colours. I often turn to this when I need to transform a space with a fresh white finish. The paint has a creamy texture, which eases the application process, although I do recommend thinning it slightly to prevent tramlines.Overall I’m unimpressed by this product considering the premium price. As stated before, I’m painting a small home theatre and wanted a high quality flat matt which is at least wipeable.

If you’re going to spend good money on a premium emulsion, then it makes sense to choose the best tools to apply it. That way, achieving a good finish is made easier. You should treat Johnstone’s Perfect Matt like any other durable matt emulsion. A good-quality medium-pile roller is perfect for this type of paint. You can use a soft brush when working with Perfect Matt, but it still needs to hold its shape, and strike sharp lines. It’s not the most durable paint on the market so really I would only recommend using it on ceilings but if that’s what you want it for, it’s well worth the money. Due to the fact that it’s mould resistant (I believe it contains a fungicide that inhibits the growth of mould), I would personally use this if your kitchen or bathroom struggles to extract moisture. I actually used this paint in my mother’s kitchen as she’s frequently boiling food on the hob and has a terrible extractor fan and it still looks great 3 years on. In my opinion, trade almost always trumps retail paint and that’s why 5 out of the 6 paints I’ve recommended in this guide are trade standard.

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These compounds crop up everywhere, from fertiliser to cosmetics, and are better known as CIT and MIT, respectively. Some people are sensitive to these chemicals, so give yourself a while to acclimatise after opening the tin or tub, rather than rushing into a job you may have to suspend midway through.

For all of your decorating needs, we have a selection of decorating tools and supplies. Whether it’s for a domestic or commercial project, find everything from abrasives to dust sheets. Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned. For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. As you can see from the photos, I marked the walls with Tomato Ketchup (Heinz), mustard and a non-permanent pen. I felt this was a great way to review it’s durability. I noted that Good Home’s White Emulsion is less flat than its previous version and slightly less opaque. However, it is more durable. While it’s a decent choice for retail gear and rental properties, I wouldn’t recommend it for personal use, particularly when compared to paints such as Johnstone’s Durable Matt.Even the best emulsion paint will look stippled or uneven if it’s not applied correctly. So we recently published a guide to the best rollers for emulsion paint. Similarly, our guide to the UK’s best paintbrushes will help you make light work of edges, corners and strips around windows or door frames where a roller is too large to reach. While Dulux and Johnstones offer plenty of choices, arch-rival Crown’s contribution to our shortlist of the best emulsion paints is about value. Some white emulsions aren’t as good-looking as others but are way more durable and can withstand up to 10,000 scrubs. I did have to apply a third coat, could be because I didn’t use a Johnstone’s contract matt, I do think that if I was putting it over an existing white ceiling it would go in two coats. My top tip: best results are achieved with proper preparation and the use of a quality roller – I personally recommend the Hamilton microfibre 12-15”.