Interior Shed Painting & The Best Interior Shed Paints

Why Paint Your Shed's Interior?

The interior of sheds is an often neglected part of decorating your garden. After all, we are often focused on what the outside looks like. While you certainly do not have to paint the inside of your shed, their are a whole host of benefits to getting your paint brush out.

• Offers a much cheaper alternative to buying a new shed by transforming tired looking sheds
• You can express your personality
• It is a fantastic way to brighten up a shed
• Paint can transform a shed into a room in its own right
• Painting a shed provides the timber with added protection from weathering which helps to extend the lifespan of the shed
• Floors and walls can be more easily cleaned of dust, dirt and general grime as bare wood can often gather dirt
• Paint will help to mask any imperfections or staining on the wood, helping to keep a clean appearance

What Paint Can You Use On The Inside Of A Shed?

The interior walls of timber sheds can be painted using any exterior or interior wood treatment. These come in a range of forms; including woodstains, varnishes, oils & paints.

• Wood oil - wood oil nourishes wood, providing an easy to maintain protection that will never peel or flake. This is less popular than other forms of treatment, which is why we won't cover the best wood oils in this guide
• Wood varnish - a wood varnish creates a coating on the outside of wood that is usually colourless, creating a clear protective barrier that enhances the natural beauty and colour of the wood
• Woodstain - woodstains penetrate into timber, allowing the natural grain of the wood to be seen, but often with a coloured finish
• Wood paint - a wood paint is what the name would suggest, an opaque paint that completely covers the grain of the wood while providing coloured finish, often in matt, satin or gloss

The type of wood treatment you opt for completely depends on the look you want to achieve. It will also depend on whether the interior of your shed has been treated before. If it has been previously coated in a wood paint, then the best option is to opt for another opaque paint, avoiding the need to strip the timber. If you are treating a new shed then your options are open to the treatment you would like to use.

The Best Interior Shed Paints & Treatments

Wondering what the best woodstain, paint or varnish is for the interior of your shed? Here are our experts picks for the best wood products on the market currently in the UK.

The Best Interior Shed Paints

There are a seemingly endless number of wood paints on the market today that all claim to do the same thing. So what exactly is the best one and why? Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer, however there are a number of standout products that are hugely popular.

Cuprinol Ducksback

When it comes to the inside of a shed, you do not have to use the most expensive paint on the market as the coating will not be subject to the weathering that it would have to endure if it was applied to exterior wood. This means that a good value for money wood paint would be more than suitable for the job. Cuprinol Ducksback is an easy to use, water-based matt wood paint that is superb value for money. The matt finish paint has a lifespan of 5 years when used on exterior wood and can be used on all rough sawn timber such as sheds. The downsides of Cuprinol Ducksback is that firstly, it is only available in a number of standard colours, which can limit you depending on the look you want to achieve. Furthermore, it comes with a lower coverage rate than other paints at 6m² per litre. Nevertheless, for a budget option that does not require a primer, we highly recommend it!

Sadolin Superdec

Sadolin Superdec is a water-based paint for exterior wood that comes in an opaque satin finish. The highly durable paint can be applied to any wooden surface and remains flexible, helping it to resist cracking, peeling & flaking when wood expands or contracts.

It is self-priming and undercoating, making it extremely easy to use, plus it leaves a beautiful finish, providing a full colour change in just two coats.

Sadolin Superdec can be mixed in almost any colour thanks to the paint mixing service here at Painters World. This means that no matter the colour you want to transform your shed with, it can be done. All you have to do is find the name of a shade you would like by searching through our colour palettes. We do not list all of the colours we can mix on our colour charts, which is why you can also type the name of any shade you would like, even designer shades, so you can get that perfect shade you have been looking for.

While it is more expensive than Cuprinol Ducksback, it will resist peeling & cracking for longer and offers a higher coverage rate of 10m² per litre. If you are looking for a specific colour or want a satin finish with a slightly higher sheen than matt, Sadolin Superdec is a great option.

The Best Interior Shed Woodstain

Sadolin Classic

When it comes to woodstains, we would highly recommend Sadolin Classic Woodstain, which is one of the most popular wood treatments available in the UK today. It is ideal for use on a wide variety of interior or exterior wooden surfaces, such as decking, fencing, cladding, sheds, fascias, sheds and other garden buildings.

As it absorbs into the wood, it allows the grain of the wood to be seen through the stain, providing a much softer finish to an opaque wood paint. This allows it to be used as a base stain for other Sadolin products such as Sadolin Extra, which provide added durability & a high-sheen finish if desired.

One thing to note is that a woodstain is not ideal for using on top of previously painted surfaces as this previous coating of paint will block the ability for the stain to soak through into the timber. If the interior of your shed has been painted using a wood paint previously, it is best to opt against a woodstain.

Sadolin Classic is available in a number of popular standard colours such as ebony & light oak, plus it can be mixed in a range of custom colours, allowing you to get the perfect shade for your interior shed walls.

The Best Interior Shed Wood Varnish

Sadolin Polyurethane Extra Durable Varnish

Sadolin Polyurethane Extra Durable Varnish is a polyurethane that offers the best of both worlds when it comes to water-based and oil-based varnish. As a water-based varnish it is low odour, quick-drying and has a fast recoat time, while offering a tough, durable finish that resists stains thanks to the inclusion of combined polymer chemistry in the varnish.

It is suitable for all interior timber, making it ideal for use inside sheds. The other huge benefit of Sadolin Polyurethane Extra Durable Varnish aside from its performance is the fact that it comes in matt, satin & gloss finishes. This allows you to achieve the level of sheen, otherwise known as the amount of light it reflects, that you desire. A matt finish creates a more natural & subtle finish that looks sophisticated and modern. A gloss finish on the other hand provides a highly finished look that draws the eye. Satin finishes sit somewhere between these, offering a slightly duller high-sheen finish than gloss varnish, but while still providing a level of sheen, especially in direct light.

If you want a clear treatment to protect the interior of your shed while making it easier to clean, we would highly recommend Sadolin Polyurethane Extra Durable Varnish.

How To Paint A Shed

The process of painting the inside of a shed will depend largely on what product you decide to opt for. It is important to check the product you are using to see what drying time it has, how many coats are recommended and to see if there are any added steps that you should take when applying.

What you will need:

• A wood treatment
• Primer (if required)
• Sandpaper
• Dust sheet
• Masking tape
• A paint brush
• A medium-pile roller
• Paint tray or kettle
• Filler (if required)

Preparation

Start by removing anything from the shed that will get in your way while painting. This may take a while for many, however it is worth it for ensuring you get neat results with limited clean up. It is also a good opportunity to have a nice clear out to complete the transformation!

The surface you are treating must be clean, dry and sound. If it has been previously painted, using a scraper or stiff brush remove any loose paint. The chances are, your shed will have gathered dirt over time. It is crucial that you remove as much of this as possible as painting a dirty surface is a short-cut to paint failure, trust us! Using a stiff brush, clean down the inside of the shed, removing any dust or dirt that has gathered.

Using sandpaper, sand previously painted or stained surfaces down in the direction of the wood grain to help remove any further loose wood treatment and create a key for the paint to adhere to. Wipe the surface down using a damp cloth to remove any dust as this, like dirt, will impact the ability for the paint to remain adhered.

You can then fill any cracks or holes in the wood to create the smoothest possible finish. If using a woodstain, you must use a wood filler that is suitable to be stained. Allow the wood filler to dry completely dry before sanding back to a smooth surface.

Finally, apply masking tape to the edges of the surface you are painting and put down a dust sheet to prevent paint splatter.

Painting

Next, it is time to get painting! It is important to apply a primer at this point if the paint you are using requires one. If you are using a wood paint such as Sadolin Superdec, you do not need a primer. Furthermore, woodstains or wood varnishes do not require a primer to be applied.

Depending on the product you are using, you have three options for painting; a paint brush, a paint roller or spray equipment. The best solution for many people is a combination of a paint brush and a roller. A medium-pile roller will be best suited for painting the inside of your shed as the chances are this won't be perfectly smooth. If you are using an oil-based paint, a natural bristle paint brush is best. If you are using a water-based product like Sadolin Superdec or Sadolin Classic you must use a synthetic paint brush as a natural bristle brush will absorb water.

Apply the wood treatment evenly to the surface, starting on the ceilings. Painting the edges with your paint brush first and then using a roller to paint the rest of the surface will leave the best finish. This allows you to roll back over where you have used the paint brush, allowing you to get a perfectly smooth finish with no brush marks or darker patches where the paint brush has applied more paint than the roller.

Once you have applied one coat of the treatment, allow to completely dry before recoating. This will likely be 3-4 hours with a water-based wood treatment.

Apply subsequent coats of your chosen wood treatment as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Once dry you are done! Bare in mind that some products will have a curing period in which while dry, they won't be as durable until the product has cured. This can often take up to a week.

Why Not Paint The Floor Of A Shed?

While you at it, why not consider painting the floor of your shed. Unlike interior shed walls, you cannot use a typical wood paint, stain or varnish. You must use a product that is specifically designed to be applied to floored surfaces, due to the footfall these products must endure.

The best product to use once again depends on the finish you want to achieve. For a coloured, opaque finish, Dulux Trade Floorshield is ideal as it is a hard-wearing floor paint with an attractive mid-sheen finish, suitable for concrete, wood and steel. Thanks to excellent film hardness and erosion resistance, Floorshield will preventing scuffing, ensuring the coating stays in tact. It can also be mixed in almost any colour, allowing you to create a contrasting look, or match your walls to the floor.

The other option is using a floor varnish. Like the wood varnishes covered in this guide, they create a clear, protective barrier on timber, that can endure footfall and other wear and tear. Sadolin Polyurethane Floor Varnish comes in satin and gloss finishes, creating an attractive and durable coating on timber floors.

Ideas For Painting A Shed

Need some inspiration for painting the inside of your shed? Here are some fantastic ideas & examples that you can use to completely transform your shed into a space you can be proud of.

Black

We love this example of a shed transformation from Sophie Robinson as it demonstrates how a dark shade can completely turn on its head what many people think a shed should look like. A shed is an outbuilding, which means you can decorate it just like you would any other part of your house - exactly how you want it!

Painting the inside of your shed black means you have complete control to add contrasting shades such as bright yellows, reds or oranges that can create a striking look. The only downside is that with any black room, it can create a dark feel, however this isn't always a bad thing. Dark can evoke a calming tone, which is what many people want when they are out in the garden doing what they enjoy.

Remember, black does not come in one shade. There are deep blacks like jet black, or blacks with a slightly lighter tone such as black grey.

Orange

We love orange! It evokes energy, warmth and draws attention, which makes it an ideal choice of colour for an outdoor space. It matches perfectly with black or white and in summer is one of our favourite exterior paint colours as it works so well with the colours commonly found in gardens.

You can either use it for an accent colour such as a door or colour block or for a full wall. Why not try NTBW76 if you want a bright orange or 'Orange Fizz' from Dulux, which is a deep and rich orange?

White

You can never go wrong with white, it is timeless! It evokes a clean and modern feel that brings a beautiful light to an outbuilding like a shed. While it will show dirt more than other shades, it can still be easily cleaned to give you a beautiful space all year round.

Why not go for a slightly off white such as traffic white which gives a neutral tone that is less intense than a pure brilliant white?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much paint is needed to paint a shed?

Working out how much paint you will need can be a difficult task. After all, none of us want to pay extra for paint that we won't need. It is recommended however that you buy slightly more than you need so that you can touch up any areas that may get damaged.

Simply measure the length and height of each of the walls and the ceiling, if you are painting it. For example if you shed is 2 metres x 2 metres, this would give each side of your shed a square metre total of 4 metres, times by four sides and one ceiling, this gives you roughly 20 square metres in total.

Once you have the total metres squared of your shed, you can find the coverage of the product you are using. Superdec for example has a 15 square metres coverage per litre, meaning with two coats required, 2.5 litres would be enough to fully paint a shed of 20 square metres.

Q. How often do you need to paint a shed?

If you use a good quality trade paint or stain, you will not need to repaint your shed every year.

While a trade product may cost slightly more upfront, the long-term performance and durability it provides far exceeds that of a cheap product. Furthermore, trade products come with a higher coverage, which further negates the cost difference.

We also recommend that you opt for good quality decorating tools. For a matter of a few pounds, you will achieve a much better finish and will have tools that you can use for years to come, rather than throwing them away after one use.

Q. Do I need to paint the inside of my shed?

No, you can leave the inside of your shed bare if this is what you desire. Painting and treating the inside of your shed simply provides it with a protective but attractive finish that helps to transform the shed from a cold and dark storage unit to a room in its own right.

Q. What paint roller should I use to paint a shed?

Paint rollers vary in two ways; in size and in pile, otherwise known as nap. The longer the nap, the easier it is to paint rougher surfaces and the more paint you can apply. The shorter the nap, the smoother the finish you achieve.

Sheds are often made of rough sawn timber which best suits a medium-pile roller that still provides good coverage and a smooth finish.

Rollers come in a variety of sizes, form 4" to 15". A standard paint roller is 9", which is best for all painting projects, while a 4" roller gives you the best control over small surfaces. It is recommended to get the same roller in 4" and 9" form. This allows you to cover the main bulk of the surface with the 9" roller and then use the 4" mini roller to roll over brush marks in the corners. This ensures you get the same finish across the full surface.

Want more help picking what paint roller to use? Why not read our full guide to the best paint rollers?

We hope this has answered any questions you may have had regarding the best paints for the interior of sheds and how to apply them. If you require any more help, just send an email to hello@paintersworld.co.uk and our expert team will be on hand to give you any advice you require. At Painters World we have a wide range of paints available, so no matter the job, we've got the right tools for you. We also offer FREE next working day delivery on all orders over £50!