A Guide to Sustainable Paints: Choosing Healthier, Eco-Friendly Finishes for Your Home
Paint plays a central role in almost every interior renovation. If you’re not using wallpaper, paint will typically cover the majority of your walls, ceilings, skirting boards, doors and window frames. Because it is used so widely throughout a home, the type of paint you choose can have a significant impact on both indoor air quality and the environment.
At Pia Design, sustainability and wellbeing are always key considerations when selecting finishes. In this guide we share what makes a paint environmentally responsible, and the brands we most often recommend in our projects.
Why sustainability matters in interior finishes
The construction and renovation industry is a major contributor to global pollution. However, thoughtful material choices can significantly reduce the environmental impact of a project.
As designers, we believe it is important to prioritise natural, renewable or responsibly produced materials wherever possible. By choosing more environmentally responsible finishes, we can help increase demand for greener products and encourage the wider industry to invest in more sustainable solutions.
What makes a paint sustainable?
Environmentally friendly paints contain fewer harmful chemicals and have a lower environmental impact during both production and use.
When selecting sustainable paint, there are several factors worth considering:
Low VOC levels (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Water-based formulations rather than solvent-based products
Good coverage, meaning fewer coats are required
Minimal synthetic additives or plastics
Environmental certifications, such as the EU Ecolabel
Paints that meet these criteria tend to be healthier for both the home and the planet.
Understanding VOCs
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are chemicals commonly found in many paints and coatings. These compounds are released into the air as the paint dries and can contribute to indoor air pollution.
Exposure to VOCs can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and in higher concentrations may contribute to respiratory problems or other health issues.
Choosing low-VOC or VOC-free paints helps improve indoor air quality and creates a healthier living environment.
Water-based vs solvent-based paints
Water-based paints are generally a more environmentally responsible option because they contain fewer harmful solvents and produce less odour during application.
They also allow paintbrushes and rollers to be cleaned with water rather than chemical cleaners.
However, it is worth noting that many standard water-based paints still contain acrylic resins, which release microplastics into the water system when brushes are washed.
For those looking for the most environmentally conscious option, some specialist brands now produce plastic-free mineral, lime or clay paints, which avoid these synthetic components altogether.
Coverage and durability
Sustainability is not only about ingredients — it also relates to performance.
Lower-quality paints often require additional coats to achieve an even finish, which increases both material use and packaging waste. Better-quality paints typically provide stronger pigmentation and better coverage, reducing the number of coats required.
Choosing a durable paint can also reduce the need for frequent repainting, saving both resources and labour over time.
Sustainable paint brands we recommend
Graphenstone paints are made from mineral materials including lime and graphene derived from carbon. They are plastic-free, VOC-free and highly breathable, making them an excellent option for healthy interiors.
Graphenstone paints are also extremely durable and resistant to mould and bacteria. The addition of graphene — a Nobel Prize-winning technology — increases the strength and washability of the paint while maintaining a natural composition.
“Graphenstone is a high-quality paint - it contains graphene which makes it super strong and durable - it’s washable and they have a great colour selection and is entirely VOC free and plastic free! Their paint even absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere so it's truly an environmentally friendly choice! They can also colour-match to a RAL or NCS colour code or to a number of branded paint libraries.”
Pia Pelkonen
Earthborn paints were developed as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional paints and were among the first in the UK to receive the EU Ecolabel for indoor paints.
Their clay-based paints contain natural ingredients including clay, chalk and plant-based binders. The result is a breathable, ultra-matt finish with a soft, earthy colour palette.
“For those people who love the chalkiness of Farrow and Ball but want an eco-friendly alternative, this paint is clay based, natural, breathable and very low VOC. The colours are all very earthy, so we love selection!”
Pia Pelkonen
Johnstone’s Trade, Ecological Solutions
Johnstone’s Trade paints are widely available through builders’ merchants, and their Ecological Solutions range has also received the EU Ecolabel accreditation.
These paints are water-based and low-VOC, offering good coverage at a more accessible price point. However, they do still contain acrylic and petrochemical components, which means they are not completely plastic-free.
For clients seeking a more budget-friendly option while still prioritising lower VOC levels, they can be a practical compromise.
Victory Colours is a family-run paint manufacturer focused on eliminating harmful chemicals from their products.
Their paints are vegan and free from a range of substances commonly found in traditional paints, including solvents, phthalates, heavy metals and formaldehyde. They also offer colour-matching services across a wide range of colour systems.
Limewash paints
Another beautiful sustainable finish is limewash paint, such as those produced by Bauwerk Colour.
Limewash paints are mineral-based, plastic-free and essentially VOC-free. Rather than creating a flat surface, they produce a soft, textured finish with subtle movement that resembles traditional plaster.
Limewash is best suited to walls rather than woodwork and requires a skilled decorator to apply it correctly. It is typically applied by brush rather than roller, making it slightly more labour intensive but visually distinctive.
Choosing paint colours
When specifying colours for projects, we often begin with colour libraries such as Benjamin Moore or Farrow & Ball because they offer extensive and well-known palettes.
However, we frequently colour-match these shades into alternative paint brands depending on the client’s sustainability priorities and budget.
Benjamin Moore paints are high quality and low-VOC, although they are acrylic-based and therefore contain plastic. Farrow & Ball paints use natural ingredients such as chalk and china clay, but decorators often find they require additional coats and can mark more easily.
For this reason, we often match colours from these ranges into other paints that offer better durability or environmental performance.
Typical paint costs
The cost of decorating a room varies depending on the paint selected and the complexity of the finish. To give a general guide, the figures below show approximate material and contractor costs for decorating a medium-sized room, assuming standard preparation and two coats of paint unless otherwise noted.
Johnstone’s / Dulux Trade
Paint (10L): approx. £80
Labour: approx. £600Benjamin Moore
Paint (10L): approx. £250
Labour: approx. £600Farrow & Ball
Paint (10L): approx. £200–£300 depending on the number of coats required
Labour: approx. £600Graphenstone / Earthborn
Paint (10L): approx. £200
Labour: approx. £600Bauwerk Limewash
Paint (15L): approx. £320
Labour: approx. £1,000 due to the more specialised application method
Actual costs will vary depending on the contractor, the condition of the walls and the level of preparation required.
Choosing the right finish for each surface
Different areas of the home benefit from different paint finishes.
For walls and ceilings, we typically recommend a matt or low-sheen water-based paint. In high-traffic areas such as kitchens or hallways, a washable low-sheen finish can be helpful.
For woodwork, including skirting boards, architraves and window frames, a mid-sheen eggshell paint tends to offer a good balance of durability and appearance.
Bespoke joinery pieces are often finished with specialist spray-applied paints supplied by the joiner, although some environmentally friendly paints can also be sprayed if required.
Creating interiors with a green soul
Choosing sustainable paints is one small but meaningful step towards creating healthier interiors and reducing the environmental impact of a renovation.
By prioritising natural materials, low-VOC finishes and durable products, it is possible to create spaces that are both beautiful and responsible.
At Pia Design, we aim to create interiors with what we like to call a green soul — homes that support the wellbeing of both the people who live in them and the wider environment.
If you would like advice on selecting sustainable paints for your home, we would be delighted to help.