When it comes to maintaining the aesthetic appeal of high-traffic areas in your home or business, selecting the right paint is crucial. These spaces—such as hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways—endure daily wear and tear, making durability and ease of maintenance top priorities. In 2025, advancements in paint technology have provided homeowners and professionals with superior options that combine resilience with style.
Understanding Paint Finishes Suitable for High-Traffic Areas
The finish of your paint not only influences the visual appeal but also determines its durability and cleanability. Here's a breakdown of the most suitable finishes for high-traffic zones:
Satin Finish: This finish offers a subtle sheen that enhances a room's aesthetics without being overly shiny. It's more durable than eggshell and flat finishes, making it resistant to scuffs and dirt while being easy to clean. Satin is an excellent choice for spaces that require frequent touch-ups, such as hallways, reception areas, waiting rooms, and stairwells.
Semi-Gloss Finish: Offering higher durability and shine than satin, semi-gloss finishes are incredibly easy to clean and resistant to moisture. This finish can withstand frequent scrubbing and washing, which is crucial in areas prone to spills, dirt, or fingerprints, such as kitchens, restrooms, retail spaces, hotel corridors, doors, and trim.
Gloss Finish: Gloss finishes are the most durable and easy to clean of all paint finishes. Their high level of shine makes them perfect for high-touch areas like doors, trim, and window sills, where scuffs and fingerprints are common. Although gloss finishes can highlight surface imperfections, they're the best choice for spaces that need to withstand constant use and cleaning.
Top Paint Choices for High-Traffic Areas in 2025
With the UK market offering a plethora of paint options, it's essential to choose products that stand up to the demands of high-traffic areas. Here are some top recommendations:
Johnstone's Trade Acrylic Durable Eggshell: This paint is scrubbable and durable, tested to exceed Class 1 ISO 11998 for scrub resistance, providing a tough, stain-resistant finish ideal for high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms. It offers a low-odour, quick-drying finish that is resistant to condensation and yellowing, making it suitable for use in areas with high humidity. Additionally, it can be colour matched and tinted into thousands of colours, including popular designer brands, using the Johnstone's Tinting System.
Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec SCUFF-X: This paint is a budget-friendly option with a harder acrylic-epoxy hybrid formula. It offers a tough, scrubbable matte finish that resists stains, moisture, and repeated washing. The paint also has antimicrobial properties that inhibit mould and mildew growth, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.
Lick Paint: Lick paint has been praised for its durability, eco-friendliness, low VOC content, and excellent coverage with a pleasant finish. Despite limited colour options and a higher price point (£45 for 2.5L), users appreciate its quality and ease of use. The paint is highly pigmented, quick-drying, and less odorous than other brands, making it a favourite among renovators.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Paint for High-Traffic Areas
Selecting the appropriate paint involves more than just picking a colour. Consider the following factors to ensure longevity and ease of maintenance:
Durability: Opt for paints that can withstand frequent traffic and cleaning without losing their finish. Flexible resins prevent chipping, denting, and abrasions, while harder additives like ceramic spheres increase mar and scratch-resistance.
Washability: High-quality acrylic latex paint is inherently scrubbable. Additives like fluoropolymers enhance stain resistance, and glossier sheens hide scuffs and stains better, making maintenance easier.
Stain Resistance: Choose paints that prevent stains from adhering to or absorbing into the paint film. Additives like fluoropolymers or silica/ceramic make paint easier to clean without leaving ghost stains.
Scuff Resistance: Select paints with a flexible paint film that resists denting and resists yellowing or fading over time, maintaining a fresh appearance in high-traffic areas.
Application Tips for Optimal Results
Even with the best paint, proper application is vital to achieve a lasting finish:
Surface Preparation: Clean the walls thoroughly to remove dirt and grease. Sand any rough spots, and patch up holes or cracks. A good primer can also make a huge difference in how well the paint adheres and lasts.
Multiple Coats: For high-traffic areas, two coats of paint provide better durability and coverage. This ensures that the walls are protected against wear and tear and look vibrant over time.
Regular Maintenance: Even the toughest paints benefit from routine cleaning and occasional touch-ups. Wipe down walls with a damp cloth to prevent dirt from becoming embedded, and keep some leftover paint on hand for quick touch-ups to cover scuffs and scratches.
Conclusion
In 2025, the options for durable and aesthetically pleasing paints suitable for high-traffic areas have expanded, offering homeowners and professionals in the UK a variety of choices. By selecting the appropriate finish and high-quality paint, you can ensure that your high-traffic spaces remain both functional and visually appealing for years to come.
Explore Nevis Paints For more information on selecting the best paints for your specific needs
