Dulux is a massive international paint and general DIY brand, selling a massive variety of paints and primers from almost 200 Dulux Decorator Centres across the UK. Whether you are redesigning a home interior from scratch or just touching up your window frames, Dulux paints will provide the colour you need, usually at very reasonable prices.
This buyer’s guide will lead you through all of the products Dulux has to offer and provide some handy design guidance if you are embarking on a project.
Dulux was founded in 1931 as a sub-brand of the international chemical giant ICI. However, it was the post-war era that saw the brand establish itself in British culture. Its success was largely due to a brilliant advertising campaign featuring a British sheepdog (leading to “Dulux Dog” becoming a specialist breed of sheepdog over the years). At the same time, the catchphrase “say Dulux to your decorator” became a household phrase. With millions of families starting their own households during the 1950s and 60s, demand for paint soared and Dulux were ideally situated to take advantage.
ICI may have passed into history, but Dulux continues to thrive. During the 1970s, they achieved huge success catering for new design trends, allowing designers to easily mix vivid colours that became the trademark of the era. The 80s brought new fashions, such as pale creams and greens, but that didn't stop Dulux, who could smoothly change their product range to suit changing customer desires.
In the 2000s, the firm has continued to innovate, offering online colour matching services, introducing specialist “Light and Space” paints that are more reflective, maximising interior light, and launching revolutionary apps like Visualizer to help customers find precisely the right paint for their needs.
With 190 Dulux Decorator Centres around the country, you can still see Dulux staff in person and ask for their advice. It all means that Dulux continues to be the first brand UK customers look to whenever they are starting a challenging paint job.
Dulux specialise in paints, but not just any old paints. Their products allow you to paint interior and exterior spaces, with specialist products for surfaces like wood, metal and tiles. There are specific suggestions for different rooms of the home, paints for different lighting conditions and finishes ranging from matt gloss to eggshell. With so much choice, you can translate your interior design visions into durable, attractive reality.
Of course, Dulux is best known for its paints, and there are a few paints which are particularly popular amongst the British public. Let’s have a look at some of the most used interior paints from the Dulux range:
Polished Pebble – Perfect for any room in your home, this neutral paint goes with most other bold colours. You can use this to paint pretty much any interior, so you don’t have to rely on multiple neutral paints across your home.
Egyptian Cotton – A slightly bolder neutral paint, this rich colour is designed going with rustic hues like lilac, aubergine or honey mustard. Looks great in your living areas, while also bringing an extra bit of spice to bathrooms and kitchens.
Sapphire Salute – This deep blue colour can be easily mixed with lighter paints to create really impressive effects in bedrooms or your living room. The paint is dynamic enough to be blended with peach or gold colours for those who wants an interior that really makes an impressions.
Denim Drift – A lighter blue colour that’s perfect for bathrooms and kitchens, Denim Drift goes well with tiles, allowing them to pop. You can also combine it with loud oranges to make them pop more.
Spiced Honey – If you’re looking for a luxurious colour for your master bedroom, then look no further than this beautiful, golden-brown paint. It combines beautifully with neutral whites and greys to create a relaxing atmosphere in the room.
While many only think of paint when they think of Dulux, they offer a wide range of other products for protecting and enhancing your home’s interior decoration:
Primers – The foundation of a successful paintjob, primers come in a variety of forms. Some help to deal with alkaline surfaces, some are designed for use with wood, others provide extra “grip” for exterior surfaces, and there are quick drying standard primers for everyday painting tasks.
Emulsion paints – Dulux's basic interior paints, emulsion paints tend to feature paint particles contained in a water-based solution. As the paint dries, the water evaporates along with any other solvents used in the paint, leaving a water-resistant, smooth surface that should last for over a decade.
Endurance – Endurance paints are even longer-lasting than emulsion paints. They have been designed to be easy to wipe clean, making them ideal for families where writing on the walls with pens or crayons is always a possibility. Dulux's endurance selection also comes in a range of tasteful light colours, allowing home owners to choose whatever colours they desire without worrying about hiding stains.
Once – Generally, you'll need to apply a primer and then one or two coats of paint to get the very best finish. However, that's not the case with Once. In this case, Dulux promise that you can achieve impressive finishes with just one coat (hence the name).
Light and Space – A recent innovation, and a brilliant idea, Light and Space features a range of paints that are twice as reflective as conventional emulsion blends. Thanks to a system called “Lumitec” these reflective paints can convert cramped, dimly lit spaces into welcoming, airy and pleasant places to spend time.
Kitchen+ – Specially formulated to be used in kitchens (unsurprisingly), Kitchen+ has the properties required to stand up to grease and heat, and most stains can be removed easily without compromising the paintwork's colour.
Bathroom+ – Designed for bathrooms where humidity and steam are factors to contend with, Bathroom+ will keep your paint looking luminous and flawless over the long term and comes in a range of mellow, bathroom-friendly colours.
Feature Wall – An interesting range of accent paints which are designed to create eye-catching surfaces. Feature Wall comes in bold colours like “redcurrant glory” and “lemon punch” and are ideal for exuberant, confident interior designers.
If you aren't used to buying paints, the terminology and choice can seem a little overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some things worth bearing in mind:
Firstly, emulsion paints are usually going to be the right option to go for. They are long lasting and produce a smooth, reliable finish and, more importantly, they tend to be cheap. Don't opt for specialist Dulux paints unless you absolutely have to. But, if the task requires them, don't hesitate to use specialist oil-based wood paints, for example.
Think about who is going to be using the space you are painting as well. If kids are involved, then it's usually better to opt for a “glossy” finish, rather than a refined, matt finish. That way, any stains will be easier to conceal and clean. Having said that, Dulux offer stain-resistant varieties like Endurance that can be a good balance. They aren't the cheapest Dulux paints, but if you take advantage of Endurance paint offers, you can create a light, contemporary interior that is also well protected against little ones.
Light is another thing to think about. Nowadays, paint is a brilliant way to turn dingy, poorly lit spaces into liveable rooms. If you go for a choice from the Dulux Light and Space collection, you can ensure that you make the most of any natural light. It's a great tactic to use in smaller flats and houses, where space is at a premium.
Think about your personal situation as well. If you intend to remain in the same property for years, go ahead and let your imagination run riot. But if you are thinking about relocating soon, it might be prudent to opt for a neutral white. Buyers like white walls as they can introduce their own design ideas easily, instead of slaving away removing red or blue paints before applying a new coat.
We've already mentioned the value of thinking about natural light and whether you might want to sell your home. Both factors feed into the colours you choose. But personal taste is much more important. It's vital to experiment with colours and blends to find a range of tones that matches your tastes. Not many people enter the paint buying process with a fully-formed idea of what they want, so it makes sense to consult experts as you go along.
It also makes sense to use technology to help find the right mix of colours. Thankfully, Dulux have introduced the Visualizer app for Android and iOS phones. Using augmented reality technology, Visualizer allows you to load different colours onto photographs of your home, seeing how they would look with different colour schemes. Dulux can offer suggestions of their own, and you can share photos or videos of your ideas with friends and family. It all helps to arrive at a well-researched, properly considered design project – instead of relying on gut instinct.
You can buy Dulux paints at hardware stores like HomeBase, via the Dulux website or at one of the 190 Dulux Decorator Centres that are located across the UK. To find your nearest centre, just use the Store Finder.
When you pay Dulux a visit, you can talk through your options and mix and match paints to find the right blend for your home interior. Before you go, it's probably worth taking a few photos of your home's interior (or exterior) to give staff an idea of what you might need. They should be able to provide expert advice and select the right paints from the Dulux range.
And their advice will go beyond just paints. When you attend a Dulux Decorator Centre, you'll find plenty of other handy decorating products, including:
Woodcare products – Take care of your prized furnishings or beams by sourcing varnishes, stains and preservatives for different types of wood. There are sections for both outdoor and interior wood treatment, so whatever item or type of wood you are dealing with, Dulux should come up with a solution.
Decorating accessories – Essential items for decorating your home and garden, including brushes, aprons and overalls, preparation products like abrasives, fillers, masking tape and removers, as well as ladders, platforms, dustsheets, sealants, sprays, containers, cleaners and rollers.
Wallpaper – Dulux's wallpaper collection allows you to combine beautiful paintjobs with gorgeous wallpaper designs.
If you have a large order to fulfil, you can ask Dulux to deliver (or order online). Delivery is free of charge for all orders above £50, and it's also free for any order if you have a Dulux account.
If you decide to order online, you can pay using VISA, Mastercard and PayPal, and you can also use your Nectar Card points to slash the cost of decorating.
Generally, painting involves a series of steps, with specific products required at each stage.
Firstly, the surface needs to be prepared. This usually requires you to sand plaster or wood to create a smooth surface, to thoroughly clean the surface and to plug any holes using filler. That way, the paint surface won't contain any unsightly flaws.
Next, painters tend to separate the space they are painting from the rest of the room using masking tape. You can buy specialist painters' tape from the Dulux website.
After that, decorators generally use primer to prepare the surface to receive emulsion paints. You can purchase a range of primers from the Dulux website, with different options for different paints and surfaces.
Then comes the fun part – using your brush or roller to apply Dulux paint across your chosen surface. This may require more than one application to achieve a long-lasting, even finish. Painters generally also start by painting the trim (around the tape), before filling in the middle section.
Finally, comes finishing and cleaning. The tape needs to be removed. After that, you might want to use varnishes to touch up the finish and, when the paint has dried, to brush off any imperfections (gently).
When you embark upon a design project, having the right accessories is as important as buying the right Dulux paint. We've touched upon some key accessories above, but here's a recap of the kit you'll need before you start applying any primer:
Brushes – High quality brushes are a must. Try not to go for the cheapest available, as these won't last much longer than a single project, and make sure you have a range of lengths. At the least, have a 12mm and 75mm brush to hand before you start.
Rollers – A single roller should suffice. 9-inch rollers are ideal for larger surfaces, while you can buy mini rollers for precise work.
Dustsheets – Never start painting before covering furniture and flooring with a dustsheet. Newspaper can supplement a good dustsheet, but isn't a viable replacement.
Masking tape – As mentioned above, masking tape is used to ensure that the surface to be painted is separated from the surrounding area. Don't use an ancient roll of masking tape that's lying around. Buy a new roll to ensure that it will adhere properly.
Sandpaper – Creating a flat surface is essential if you want to get a good paint finish. Don't skimp on this part. Always have enough sand paper to hand (and a few sanding blocks) to create a perfect surface to start applying your primer.
Ladders and steps – If you are painting high walls or ceilings, don't assume that you can perch on tables or chairs. Stay safe by having an adjustable painter's ladder which can keep you stable at all times.
Those are the basics, but there are plenty of other accessories that are well worth checking out. For instance, filler and Stanley knives are handy, as are wallpaper brushes (if you are applying paper). Chemicals like brush cleaners are also a big help (although white spirit will do just as well, and many people have some stashed away).
If you are ready to tackle a major painting project, Dulux is the company to turn to, offering all of the paints, finishes and tools painters could need. But when you add up all of the products required, the cost of painting can really add up. So how can you get the best deal?
First off, take advantage of any discounts you can get from Dulux. Use your Nectar Points or sign up for a trade account (if you qualify). If you are working with a trade professional, they may also be able to get hold of what are called “Refresh Vouchers” as well, which can be cashed in for Dulux products.
However, we can't all work with professionals. For most of us, the best way to find cheap Dulux paint deals is by searching the hotukdeals listings, where you'll find all of the company's paint products at big discounts. Dulux paints are sold by huge UK retailers like Homebase, Travis Perkins, Wickes and Tesco and new offers appear all the time, so don't miss out.
Certain times in the year also provide better chances to save. For instance, the New Year often sees big discounts as home owners start to consider their decoration options, while Black Friday can also see big savings on paints and accessories. In any case, you'll find the biggest Dulux discounts listed at hotukdeals as soon as they become available.
Whether you are redecorating a newly bought home, preparing to sell or just giving your bathroom an attractive makeover, Dulux is the company for you. Selling a huge range of paints for indoor and outdoor applications, as well as plenty of primers, sealants and finishes, Dulux is the UK's number one interior design brand. You can find all of their paints available at bargain prices by shopping with hotukdeals.
