Trends, Eco-Friendly Options, and the Value of Premium Paints

When it comes to our homes, the right paint can transform a space, reflect personal styles, and even promoting healthier living. But with so many paint brands on the market, all offering an array of colours and features, how do you choose the best one for your home?

Here we examine the eco-friendliness of popular paint brands and explore why premium paints may be a better investment in the long run. Whether you’re planning to refresh a single room or embarking on a full home makeover, we’re here help you make an informed choice.

Current Paint Colour Trends: What Consumers Want in 2024

Colour trends shift every year, reflecting changes in our lifestyles, moods, and priorities. As we move through 2024, these trends are rooted in our growing desire for wellness, sustainability, and personal expression. Whether you’re drawn to calming neutrals or bold accent walls, there’s a trend to suit every taste.

1. Warm Neutrals: Cozy & Versatile

Gone are the days of cool, sterile greys dominating interior spaces. Today, homeowners are turning to warm neutrals like soft beige, greige (a blend of grey and beige), and taupe to create cozy, inviting spaces. Warm neutrals are perfect for living rooms and bedrooms, where comfort and versatility are key.

How to Use Warm Neutrals:

• Living Room: Paint the walls in Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter, a warm greige that provides the perfect backdrop for any decor style. Pair it with natural textures like linen and wood to create a relaxed, welcoming vibe.
• Bedroom: Use Little Greene’s French Grey for a soft, calming effect. This neutral shade works well with white linens and darker accent pieces like bedside tables or headboards.

Why Warm Neutrals Are Popular:

• They provide a timeless and versatile foundation for any room, allowing you to change your furniture and decor over time without needing to repaint.
• Warm neutrals evoke a sense of calm and relaxation, which is particularly important as we spend more time at home.

Earthy & Nature-Inspired Tones: Bringing the Outdoors In

With sustainability and wellness at the forefront of our minds, there’s a growing trend toward earthy tones that connect us to nature. Shades like sage green, terracotta, and rich browns are particularly popular for kitchens and living rooms, where we want to create grounded, organic environments.

How to Use Earthy Tones:

• Living Room: Paint a feature wall in Graphenstone’s Terracotta, a rich terracotta produced in collaboration with Michelle Ogundehin. This colour has a beautiful warmth and depth. Complement it with natural wood furniture and indoor plants to emphasize the connection to the outdoors.
• Kitchen: Try Benjamin Moore’s Soft Fern, a muted green, for kitchen cabinets or an accent wall. This soft, nature-inspired shade creates a serene and refreshing space to cook and dine.

Why We Love Earthy Tones:

• These shades evoke a sense of grounding and calm, which is increasingly important as more people seek to create serene, nature-inspired homes.
• Earthy tones are ideal for those who value sustainability, as they mirror natural materials like wood, clay, and stone, which are commonly found in eco-friendly homes.

Bold, Moody Colours: Drama & Sophistication

While neutrals and earthy tones are dominating many spaces, bold, moody colours like deep blues, charcoal blacks, and rich greens are making waves in bedrooms, dining rooms, and home offices. These shades create drama and sophistication, offering a luxurious feel that can transform even the simplest of spaces.

How to Use Bold Colours:

• Bedroom: Paint your walls in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue, a deep, moody navy that creates a cocooning effect, perfect for restful sleep. Pair it with crisp white bedding and brass accents for a touch of elegance.
• Dining Room: Use Little Greene’s Obsidian Green, a rich dark green, to create an intimate, sophisticated dining space. Add a statement chandelier and gold tableware to complete the look.

Why Consumers Are Opting for Bold Colours:

• Bold colours allow for personal expression and make a design statement. If you’re looking to create a memorable space, moody tones can help define your home’s personality.
• These colours add depth and richness to a room, often making spaces feel more luxurious and polished.

The Rise of Eco-Friendly Paints: Prioritising Health & Sustainability

In addition to colour, consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact and health effects of the paints they choose. This has led to a growing demand for eco-friendly paints that contain little to no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) – harmful chemicals that can contribute to indoor air pollution and cause long-term health issues.

What Are VOCs and Why Should You Avoid Them?

VOCs are chemicals found in many conventional paints that release into the air as the paint dries. These chemicals can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory issues, headaches, and dizziness, and contribute to long-term indoor air pollution. For homes with children, pets, or individuals with respiratory concerns, low-VOC or zero-VOC paints are essential for maintaining healthy indoor air quality.

Let’s explore some of the more high profile brands and what they have to offer. This is by no means an exhaustive list, it’s a stepping stone to what’s out there and what’s they offer. We’ll do a deeper diver into what mainstream and premium paints offer in a future post, but for now let’s just get a bit of a feel for what’s on offer…

1. Valspar: A Mainstream Brand with Low-VOC Options

Valspar is a popular choice for homeowners who want access to a wide range of colours at a more affordable price point. While it offers low-VOC options, Valspar doesn’t focus exclusively on eco-friendly or non-toxic formulations.

• Eco-Friendly Status: Valspar’s low-VOC paints help reduce some of the health risks associated with traditional paints, but most of its products still contain VOCs. They do, however, offer low-VOC ranges like Valspar Reserve, which is marketed for its durability and reduced toxic emissions.
• Best For: Homeowners looking for an affordable option with a wide range of colours, especially for spaces that don’t require heavy traffic or exposure to moisture (like bedrooms or living rooms).

Where It Falls Short:
While Valspar offers low-VOC options, it doesn’t match the level of commitment to eco-friendliness seen in premium brands like Graphenstone and Earthborn. For those seeking a healthier, truly non-toxic option, Valspar may not be the best choice.

2. Graphenstone: Leading Innovation in Eco-Friendly Paints

Graphenstone is an innovative paint brand that focuses on zero-VOC, air-purifying, and durable paints. By infusing their paints with graphene, Graphenstone offers products that are not only non-toxic but also highly durable and sustainable.

• Eco-Friendly Status: Graphenstone is one of the few paint brands that are truly VOC-free. Their products use natural ingredients like lime, which naturally purifies the air, and graphene, which adds durability without harmful chemicals.
• Best For: Consumers who want to prioritize both health and sustainability. Graphenstone’s paints are perfect for nurseries, bedrooms, and kitchens, where indoor air quality is a priority.

Why It’s Worth the Investment:
Graphenstone may come at a higher price point, but its combination of durability, eco-friendliness, and air-purifying qualities makes it a smart investment, especially for families concerned about indoor air quality.

3. Earthborn: Natural, Non-Toxic Paints for a Healthier Home

Earthborn is another standout in the eco-friendly paint market, offering clay-based, plastic-free, and VOC-free paints. Their focus on natural ingredients makes them an excellent choice for homeowners who prioritize non-toxic living.

• Eco-Friendly Status: Earthborn’s paints are completely free from VOCs, plastics, and harmful chemicals. Their breathable, clay-based formulations allow walls to breathe naturally, reducing the risk of mould and promoting healthier indoor air.
• Best For: Those looking for natural, non-toxic paints for bedrooms, nurseries, or spaces where air quality is a major concern.

Why It’s a Premium Option:
Though Earthborn paints are more expensive than mainstream brands, their natural formulation, breathability, and durability make them a worthwhile investment for eco-conscious homeowners.

4. Farrow & Ball: Luxury Meets Sustainability

Farrow & Ball is renowned for its luxury finishes and rich colour palette, but it also emphasises sustainability by offering low-VOC, water-based paints.

• Eco-Friendly Status: All Farrow & Ball paints are low-VOC and water-based, making them a safer option for indoor spaces. While not entirely VOC-free like Graphenstone and Earthborn, they still meet strict environmental standards.
• Best For: Homeowners who want the perfect blend of luxury and eco-friendliness. Farrow & Ball’s paints offer high-end finishes with reduced environmental impact.

Why It’s a Good Long-Term Investment:
Farrow & Ball’s reputation for durability and its curated selection of timeless colours means that you’re less likely to repaint frequently. This longevity makes the initial cost worthwhile over time, as the finish maintains its quality for years.

The Value of Premium Paints: Why Paying More is Worth It

Now that we’ve explored the eco-friendly credentials of different paint brands, let’s address the key benefits of choosing premium paints over low-cost options like Valspar. While premium brands come with a higher price tag, they often provide better value for money in the long run due to their durability, rich pigmentation, and environmental benefits.

1. Durability: Premium Paints Last Longer

One of the biggest advantages of premium paints is their durability. Brands like Farrow & Ball, Graphenstone, and Benjamin Moore are formulated with higher-quality pigments and binders, which means they require fewer coats to achieve full coverage and can withstand wear and tear better than cheaper alternatives.

Why This Matters:

• Fewer Coats, Less Paint: Premium paints generally offer better coverage, meaning you need fewer coats to achieve the desired finish. This not only saves you time but also reduces the amount of paint you need to buy.
• Long-Term Savings: Because premium paints are more durable, you won’t have to repaint as often. This is especially important for high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms.

2. Richer Pigmentation: Premium Paints Offer Better Depth & Finish

Premium paints are known for their rich pigmentation, which creates deeper, more vibrant colours that last longer without fading. Brands like Farrow & Ball and Little Greene have curated colour palettes that offer nuanced tones, making them perfect for homeowners who want to achieve a sophisticated look.

Why This Matters:

• More Sophisticated Finishes: Premium paints offer a richness and depth that’s hard to replicate with cheaper brands. This is especially important for bold, moody colours like Hague Blue or Basalt, where the quality of the pigment can make or break the look.
• Consistent Results: Premium paints provide even coverage with fewer roller or brush marks, resulting in a smoother, more professional finish.

3. Eco-Friendliness: A Healthier Choice for You and the Planet

As more consumers prioritise health and sustainability, premium brands are leading the charge in creating low-VOC and non-toxic formulations. Brands like Graphenstone and Earthborn are pushing the boundaries of natural, eco-friendly paint technology, ensuring that your home is not only beautiful but also healthy and environmentally conscious.

Why This Matters:

• Health Benefits: Premium eco-friendly paints help improve indoor air quality, reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals. This is particularly important for bedrooms, nurseries, and kitchens where you spend a lot of time.
• Sustainability: Investing in paints that are VOC-free and made from natural ingredients helps reduce your home’s environmental impact, contributing to a healthier planet.

Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice for Your Home

Choosing the right paint is about more than just color—it’s about creating a space that’s healthy, sustainable, and long-lasting. While premium paints may cost more upfront, their durability, rich pigmentation, and eco-friendly formulations offer better value in the long run.

Brands like Graphenstone, Earthborn, Farrow & Ball, and Benjamin Moore not only deliver superior quality but also help promote healthier living and a more sustainable environment.