Staring at paint tins in Bunnings is overwhelming. Dozens of brands, hundreds of colours, and confusing labels about coverage rates that never seem accurate in real life. After 15 years painting Melbourne homes, I’ll cut through the marketing rubbish and tell you what actually matters.
Understanding Paint Types
Interior Paint Finishes
Flat/Matte Finish
Zero shine, velvety appearance. Hides wall imperfections beautifully because it doesn’t reflect light. Perfect for ceilings and low-traffic bedrooms.
The downside: Marks easily and doesn’t clean well. Touch a matte wall with dirty hands and you’ll see it forever. Not ideal for kids’ rooms or hallways.
Coverage rate: 12-14 square metres per litre on smooth surfaces.
Satin/Low Sheen
This is our go-to for most Melbourne homes. Slight sheen that’s barely noticeable but makes walls washable. Durable enough for living areas, subtle enough to hide minor imperfections.
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, dining rooms. Basically everywhere except bathrooms and ceilings.
Coverage rate: 11-13 square metres per litre.
Semi-Gloss and Gloss
Higher sheen means more durability and easier cleaning. Moisture-resistant, which is why we use it in bathrooms and kitchens. Also perfect for trim, doors, and window frames.
The catch: Highlights every wall imperfection. Your prep work needs to be flawless or every dent and bump will show.
Coverage rate: 10-12 square metres per litre (thicker consistency).
Exterior Paint Options
Acrylic Exterior Paint
Water-based, flexible, breathable. Handles Melbourne’s weather changes brilliantly. Expands and contracts with temperature without cracking.
Coverage rate: 10-12 square metres per litre on previously painted surfaces, 8-10 on raw timber or rough surfaces.
Oil-Based Exterior Paint
Traditional choice, extremely durable. Takes longer to dry but creates a harder finish. Better for high-traffic exterior areas like decks and railings.
Coverage rate: 12-14 square metres per litre, but requires more prep and longer drying times.
Specialty Paints
Primer/Sealer
Not technically a finish paint, but critical for new surfaces, dramatic colour changes, or problem walls. Seals porous surfaces and creates uniform absorption.
Coverage rate: 8-10 square metres per litre (designed to soak in, not just coat).
Ceiling Paint
Specifically formulated flat white with low splatter. Slightly thicker than wall paint. Most ceiling paints have better coverage than standard flat finishes.
Coverage rate: 13-15 square metres per litre.
What Actually Affects Coverage Rates
Here’s the reality: those numbers on the tin are best-case scenarios. Your actual coverage depends on multiple factors.
Surface Texture
Smooth plaster: You’ll get the advertised coverage, sometimes better.
Textured walls: Expect 20-30% less coverage. All those bumps and crevices use more paint.
Raw timber or brick: Porous surfaces suck up paint. First coat might only cover 6-8 square metres per litre.
I’ve seen rough render exteriors use double the expected paint. Always account for texture.
Colour Changes
Light over dark: Budget three coats minimum. Dark colours bleed through light ones stubbornly.
Dark over light: Usually fine with two coats if you’re using quality paint.
Bright colours (reds, yellows, oranges): These have less pigment coverage. Often need three coats even over similar colours.
Paint Quality
Cheap paint isn’t cheaper. Here’s why:
Budget paint ($30-40 per 4L):
- Coverage: 8-10m² per litre
- Coats needed: 3-4
- Total cost for 40m²: $60-80 in paint, plus extra time
Premium paint ($50-70 per 4L):
- Coverage: 12-14m² per litre
- Coats needed: 2
- Total cost for 40m²: $50-60 in paint, less time
Premium paint has better pigments, more binders, and superior coverage. We stopped using cheap paint years ago because it actually costs more when you factor in labour and extra coats.
Application Method
Roller: Best coverage and fastest. Uses paint efficiently.
Brush: Uses more paint, takes longer, but necessary for cutting in and detailed work.
Spray: Fast application but uses 20-40% more paint due to overspray. Only economical for large commercial jobs.
Calculating What You Actually Need
The formula on every paint website is simple: divide your wall area by coverage rate.
Reality is messier.
Here’s our professional approach:
- Calculate total area (we covered this in our measuring guide)
- Adjust for surface texture: Subtract 20-30% coverage for rough surfaces
- Multiply by number of coats: Minimum two, often three for colour changes
- Add 10% waste factor: Spills, roller trays, touch-ups
Example:
- 40m² bedroom walls
- Using low sheen (11m² per litre coverage)
- Smooth walls, similar colour
- Two coats needed
Standard calculation: (40 ÷ 11) × 2 = 7.3 litres
Professional calculation: (40 ÷ 11) × 2 × 1.1 = 8 litres
Buy two 4-litre tins. You’ll have some left for future touch-ups, which you’ll definitely need.
Brand Differences That Matter
All major Australian paint brands (Dulux, Taubmans, Haymes, Wattyl) produce quality products. The differences are subtle.
What actually matters:
- Washability rating: Check how many scrubs the finish withstands
- VOC content: Low VOC paints are healthier, especially for interior painting projects
- Warranty coverage: Premium lines offer 10-15 year warranties
- Consistency: Stick with one brand for the whole project
We’ve used all the major brands professionally. Honest truth? Proper preparation matters more than brand choice. Average paint applied correctly beats premium paint rushed over poor prep.
Environmental Considerations
Melbourne’s humidity and temperature swings affect paint performance.
Hot days (30°C+): Paint dries too fast, causing lap marks. Work in shade, paint early morning or late afternoon.
Cold days (below 10°C): Paint doesn’t cure properly. Wait for warmer weather or use heaters.
High humidity: Extends drying time significantly. What should take 2 hours might take 6. Don’t rush second coats.
When Coverage Rates Really Matter
For small projects (single room), buying an extra litre isn’t costly. For whole-house residential painting, accurate calculations save hundreds of dollars.
Commercial projects need precise calculations for quoting. Professional painters build reputation on accurate estimates. We’ve refined our calculations over thousands of jobs to account for every variable.
Bottom Line
Paint types matter for durability and appearance. Coverage rates matter for budgeting. But both depend heavily on surface prep, application technique, and realistic expectations.
Choose the right finish for the room’s function. Calculate coverage conservatively. Buy quality paint. Your results will speak for themselves.
Need expert advice for your specific project? Contact our team for professional recommendations based on your actual surfaces and requirements. We’ll tell you exactly what you need without overselling.