Best paint for wood: 5 picks for furniture, woodwork and more...

The best paint for wood is key for good results when painting furniture, woodwork, fences, sheds... basically anything made of wood. Get it wrong and the finish will be disappointing and, importantly won't last. Get it right, and you'll have a smart finish that's really durable and easy to keep clean, too.

We have rounded up our edit of the top wood paints in a range of finishes that you can buy. We have covered both interior and exterior options, and everything is top quality, so whatever your DIY project, you will find the paint you need here. Better still? Our pricing widgets show today's best prices.

For more decorating advice, tips and guides, see our dedicated paint hub page.

Tough, durable and hard wearing, this Dulux Trade Interior Pure Brilliant White Satinwood Wood & Metal Paint is perfect for interior woods, especially where there’s high volumes of traffic. Requiring just a couple of coats, this paint is easy to apply, with no undercoat necessary, unless the original colour is particularly bold. Thanks to its dirt resistance, it’s easy to keep doors and skirting boards looking clean and fresh. 

• Shop Dulux Trade Interior Pure Brilliant White Satinwood Wood & Metal Paint here 

If your garden shed is looking tired and worn, you can give it a new lease of life with a coat of paint. Whether you choose to use a paint brush, roller or even a spray gun, this Cuprinol Garden Shades paint should provide your shed with a rich colour and long lasting protection. This paint is also perfect for fences and other wooden garden features such as benches and furniture, providing you with the option to keep your garden in sync. 

Our personal fave shade is Willow, but you can choose between 96 other shades to find one to suit your style. 

• Shop Cuprinol Garden Shades paint here

Exterior wood is put through its paces by the weather every day but you can make sure it remains in tip top condition by using this wood paint from Ronseal. The blend of ingredients allows for the natural movement of the wood, preventing cracking, peeling and blistering, while its weather resistance becomes active just one hour after painting. Suitable to paint on bare or previously treated wood, this Ronseal Fence life plus is a reliable choice for your garden.  

• Shop Ronseal Fence life plus Slate Matt Fence & shed Wood treatment here

Whether it’s a summer storm or a hard winter front, your exterior wood should be protected with this paint from Cuprinol. It’s non drip, so don’t worry about the paint dripping on to your patio, and it protects your fence and decking from the damaging effects of rain and frost. It guarantees protection for five years and its water repellency is active an hour after painting. With 5 litres of paint at £14, you can’t really go wrong. Want more choice for exterior surfaces? Check out our best decking paint.

Whether it’s a bookcase, a wardrobe or even a chest of drawers, if you’re looking to do something different with your home, sometimes painting furniture can do the job nicely. In addition to making your furniture look pretty, this Ronseal Chalky Furniture Paint is tough, durable and drip-free, ensuring easy application and virtually non-existent maintenance thereafter. Available in a wide range of colours, you’re free to create the perfect look for your home. 

Want to more choice? Don't miss our best furniture paints.

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