Decorating a home can get expensive, so it’s always a good idea to look for penny-saving tricks where you can. Trusty IKEA has loads of simple structures that with a few savvy improvements, can be transformed into statement pieces. Take the IKEA Ivar cabinet - we’ll show you how to turn it into a stunning sideboard that’ll be the perfect finishing touch to any boho-chic themed space.\n\nLet’s get hacking.\n\nStep 1: Gather your bits.\n2 x IKEA Ivar cabinets\n\nLick paint\n (for the boho-chic look, go for a neutral colour)\nJigsaw (try your local tool hire joint if you don’t have access to one)\nDrill with wood drill part\n\nSand paper\n\n\nPaint brush\n\nMini roller\n\nCane webbing\n 2 - 3 metres. \nStaple gun\nScissors\nHandles\nPencil\nTape measure\nHandles (optional)\nStep 2: Cutting\nRemove the doors of your Ivar cabinets. With a pencil and tape measure, mark the area that you want to cut out. Leave 4 cm minimum from the edge as you need enough space to attach the cane webbing.\nDrill holes in all four corners of your marked area, then use a jigsaw to cut out the middle of each door.\nSandpaper the edges that you’ve just cut so they are nice and smooth.\nStep 3: Painting\nChoose your Lick paint of choice (to keep it Boho Chic check out our \nwhite paint\n)\nWith a good quality brush and mini roller, two coats will do it.\nStep 4: Cane webbing\nDivide and cut the cane webbing into four (soaking the webbing for 30+ mins makes it easier to cut).\nStaple the webbing to the inside of the doors. Start by stapling at the top, then work your way down, pulling the webbing tight and crucially - straight! You don’t want any wonky lines taunting you.\nOnce all is secured in place, cut off any excess webbing from the edges.\nYou’re now ready to reattach your doors to the cabinets.\nStep 5: Handles - optional\nIf you fancy it, attach handles of your choice. Go rustic with natural materials, or bring in some contrast with brass (Etsy is a great place to source this kind of thing). Or go for the paired back look and leave the cabinets bare.\nAnd there you have it - an impressive boho-chic cabinet at an even more impressive price. Panelling like this breaks up blocks of wood, making furniture less imposing and much more versatile. Read more about the \nBoho Chic interior decor style\n for more inspiration.\nFeeling galvanised for more IKEA hacks? Check out \nour hack on how to upcylcle IKEA's malm bedside table\n, or their ubiquitous \nBilly bookcase\n.

About to kick off your next paint project and feeling a touch confused with the overwhelming amount of decorating jargon? We hear you. The world of paint and design does contain many a confusing term. We’ve created this mini jargon-busting guide to decipher and explain some of the most common painting terms out there. So you can focus on getting on with the actual decor work. \nPrimer\n
A special type of paint that’s applied as a base coat, primer helps your paint grip the surface you’re covering more firmly, covering up any stains and giving it a more hard-wearing finish. It’s essential for metal and wood surfaces and highly recommended for bare plaster walls. \nPaint sheen\n
Sheen is the term used to describe the gloss level of the paint. The higher the sheen, the shinier your paint finish will be. Choose from different types of sheens including eggshell, gloss and matte. More on those below. \nEggshell\n
What is eggshell paint? Eggshell is an eggshell paint finish that, quite literally, looks like the surface of an eggshell. It’s relatively low sheen when compared to satin or silk, but not \nquite\n as matt as durable matt. If you’re after a classic look for your walls and ceilings, it’s pretty much your go-to choice, and it's the best paint for a bathroom ceiling.\n(Tip: Our low sheen semi-gloss eggshell emulsion has been specially formulated for interior use on woodwork and plaster, and if priming first - on metalwork and other surfaces too. A water-based solution that leaves an easy-to-clean and smooth finish - this paint is long lasting, durable and ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Think of it as the tough-but-sensitive hero of the paint world. Want to find out more? Check out our eggshell paint overview and more on what eggshell paint is)\nDurable matt \n
Durable matt paint has a wonderful velvety texture and is ideal for covering up any stains and imperfections. It doesn’t reflect light so expect a completely different finish to glossy paint. Durable matt works well for any room where you’d prefer a more traditional look and feel.  \n(Tip: Though specially designed for interior use on plaster walls and ceilings, our highly durable flat matt emulsion paint can also be used on wood, masonry, primed metal and on radiators too. Yes - you can paint radiators! Better yet; our matt is quick drying, it's easy to apply, and leaves you with a wipe-clean surface finish - ready for anything that everyday life might be throwing at it.)\nGloss \n
Gloss paints are highly reflective, durable and usually oil-based. They come in two levels of gloss: semi-gloss and high-gloss. Their mirror-like finish works well with wooden surfaces and suits lighter colours. Top tip: gloss paint can provide an interesting contrast to nearby matt surfaces. Mix and match if you dare. \nEmulsion\n
Emulsion is the term for water-based paint, with acrylic resins for extra durability. Choose from varying levels of sheen in the finish - and keep in mind, the shinier the finish, the more hard-wearing the paint. You can get durable matt, eggshell, gloss, silk and satin emulsion paint. Oh, and emulsion is the best choice for interior walls and ceilings. Which is why we’re big fans at Lick. \nSelf-priming\n
Refers to paints that contain enough resin to stick firmly onto surfaces without any need for a primer. Kinda like our entire paint range at Lick.\nCutting in \n
Cutting in refers to painting those nooks and crannies that paint rollers can’t wiggle their way into. Brush paint into the edges of walls or around switches and sockets and you’re officially ‘cutting in’. It’s usually the first step in paint application. \nFilling in \n
Refers to the process of adding filler into any holes, cracks or gaps into a surface before painting. Filling in is an essential prep step to smoothen up a ‘gappy’ surface before reaching for that brush.\nMasonry paint \n
Masonry paint is acrylic-based paint that is used on most exterior surfaces. It’s weather-resistant and formulated to stick to even the coarsest of surfaces. \nVOC\n
VOC stands for 'Volatile Organic Compounds', which can be found in several household products (including paint). Water-based paints tend to have a much smaller amount of VOCs, which also means they don’t let off that typical pungent paint odour. Not to toot our own horn \ntoo \nmuch; but all Lick paints are water-based and low-VOC.\nUndercoat\n
The undercoat is essentially the base coat of paint. Paint an undercoat under your top layer to achieve that professional and vivid finish you’re after.\n\nBuy paint online

Our home is our sanctuary. There is nothing more peaceful than coming back from a hard day at work, busy networking event, or even a long trip, and finding yourself in this safe place where every item reveals an aspect of your personality. We all have a favourite piece of furniture or decoration in our homes. Whether it’s a sofa or a tea mug, we’re somehow attached to it and we love building an environment around it, where we highlight its significance to our daily life. Here we’ll introduce you to five ways that will help you style your room around your favourite statement furniture. \n1. Be bold\nBe bold, be adventurous, and don’t try to fit into any norms. Experiment with colours and shapes to make your favourite statement furniture the star of your home (after you of course). If you’re a naturally fun, outgoing and out-of-the-box type, then your rooms should speak for you. Shine on you crazy diamond. 

2. Bring nature into your home\nWho would say no to a walk in the woods, a warm tropical rain, or simply waking up feeling charged by nature’s energy that’s flowing all around? If your favourite statement furniture is in deep, earthy colours like green or brown, then you can easily adapt all interior and style your room in the same way to create that zen vibe everyone talks about. Bonus points if you have a solid, leather couch in your living room; you can literally create magic with it. Check out how with our ideas below. 

3. Black is the new black\nVery few things are more stylish than the good old black. If your home is spacious and you have high ceilings, then you can afford to use this colour as much as you like. We don’t recommend focusing on it for small rooms, as it will make them ‘shrink’ and look even smaller. Here’s our all-black collection for you to get inspired. 

4. Scandinavian minimalism\nWhite, beige, grey, black - what do they have in common? This is the palette of the contemporary Scandinavian interior design - the one that makes us swoon and mentally teleport in cold and cozy Sweden. Simplicity is essential and if your favourite statement furniture is within the aforementioned colour palette, then you have it. You can experiment with contrasts, like a white bed and a black wall behind it (bring out that Pia Wallen blanket!) or go all natural and focus on just one main colour, adapting all furniture and accessories around it. We recommend some wooden details to make the rooms less sterile and more ‘earthy’, some illustrations, photographs and the good old typography posters to make the walls or floors more fun. Just remember - keep it clean and minimal, just like the Swedes do. 

5. Follow the Pantone Colour of the Year\nYou simply love changes and you want to keep your home trendy and stylish... sounds familiar? Then this one's for you. Pick your statement furniture by following the Pantone Color of the Year. This will give you the freedom to experiment with different pieces of interior design, wallpapers, wall colours, and to mix and match everything from the sofa in the living room to the napkins in the kitchen. 

Need help with picking the right colour for your home? Look no more. With Lick you can have samples delivered to your door, so you can enjoy your hot tea and plan the future of your living room in peace. \nCheck our colour and wallpaper range at lick.com. \n

Decisions, decisions. Making them is hard. Living with the wrong ones is harder. That's why we've tried to make life's tough choices a little easier. To help you find your perfect colour match, we've created some brand new \npeel-and-stick paint sample boxes\n. Not sure which pink to go for, for example? Now you can grab a pink sample box and test out all the pink shades in your space.\n\nCurated by our colour specialists, our mess-free paint sample boxes make colour-scheming so much easier. From neutrals to monochrome and every primary colour in between — decorating just got a whole lot simpler.\nGrey paint colours\n\nNot quite a case of fifty shades of grey, more like 11 shades of grey. Choose from four barely-there greys in our \nlight grey paint sample box\n to a trio of mid greys in our \nmid-grey paint sample box\n. Or, if you want to go over to the dark side, we've given you a choice of three dark greys in our \ndark grey paint sample box\n, for a chic, moody look.\n\nThen there's our selection of \ncurated grey paint samples\n, championing five of our favourites for those that can't decide. Thinking of going grey gracefully throughout the house? Then why not take a look at our \nLick x Kelly Hoppen Timeless Neutrals paint sample box\n, curated by the Queen of neutrals herself, \nKelly Hoppen CBE\n.

Greige paint colours\n\nThen again, perhaps greige is more your style? A little grey, a little, green, all mixed together with a hint of beige, greige is the best of all three. These gorgeous neutrals work in almost any space and are a great palette to repeat throughout your house. Find out which works where, with the \ngreige paint sample box\n.

Beige paint colours\n\nBeige has got a bit of a bad name over the years, but we're here to make a case for it. If, like us, you're into neutrals, you'll love our choice of beige paints. From subtle \nBeige 01\n to warming \nBeige 02\n, our compilation of beiges in our \nbeige paint sample box\n will help you decide. Or if you’re into warming hues, why not consider our \nwarm neutral paint sample box\n? Find the beige that’s right for you, all without making a mess along the way.

White paint colours\nWhite is white, right? Wrong. If you're opting for a blank canvas to display your artwork or furnishings, it's still worth thinking about what shade of white to go for. Painting the whole house? Try \nthe white paint colours sample box\n so you can sample different hues throughout your home.\n\nIt’s essential to \nconsider the impact of light when decorating\n and which white you pick will depend on the \norientation of your room\n. So, if yours is a \ndark and north-facing room\n, you'll want to take a look at our \nwarm white paint colours sample box\n. But if you're blessed with a sunny, south-facing kitchen, you could try on our \ncool and off-white paint colours\n for size.

Black paint colours\n\nOn the other end of the colour spectrum, there's black. Yes, we know you're probably not painting your home floor-to-ceiling in black (unless, of course, you are, in which case we'd love to know how that turns out). You might, however, go for a dark and sultry black for your woodwork. Black staircases, black wood floors are all the rage right now and quite frankly we are here for them. Proving that black is the new black, find your favourite from our blacker than \nblack paint colours sample box\n.

Green paint colours\n\nThe perennial colour choice, green will always be in fashion. Synonymous with nature, according to colour psychology it's soothing for the mind and works in any room (read \neverything you need to know about green paint\n). You've just got to find the right hue for you. So from our whisper-soft \nlight green paint sample box\n, gorgeous in a bedroom and popular in bathrooms, to \nmid-green paint sample box\n, including one of our all-time favourites, \nGreen 02\n to the deep and mysterious \ndark green paint colours sample box\n, ideal for creating a dramatic living room or cocooning bedroom.\n\nWant to make a colour splash? Why not take a look at our \nvibrant green paint colours sample box\n. Or if you’re looking for a nature-inspired colour palette, the \nJapandi style paint sample box\n is just the ticket.

Blue paint colours\n\nAccording to colour psychology, light blues are gentle on the eye. A reminder of blue skies they harness a sense of positivity and calm, so our \nlight blue paint sample box\n is a good one to try in the bedroom. \nMid and sky blue paint colours\n and \ndark blue paint colours\n blues can be quite invigorating and can have more of an energising effect, and work well in a living or dining room, home office or even kitchen.

Teal paint colours\n\nStuck in between blue and green? Why not try our \nteal paint colours sample box\n on for size. Teal has the benefit of both and likewise can create a soothing space. From the gentle blue-green \nTeal 01\n to the darker charcoal-green hues of \nTeal 03\n. Find your perfect match with our easy-to-use sample box.

Pink paint colours\n\nPink is having such a moment that an entire generation has been painted with the same brush. But whether you're after millennial \nlight pink paint colours\n, bubblegum through to terracotta \ndark pink paint colours\n or simply any \npink paint colour\n, we've got the ultimate curated selection of pink paints for you, packaged in our making-decorating-simple sample boxes.

Red paint colours\n\nPink's fiery neighbour, we think red can often be a little misunderstood. Get to know it a little better with our \nred paint colours sample box\n, featuring burnt umber \nRed 01\n to gentle terracotta \nRed 03\n—there's more to red than meets the eye.

Orange paint colours\n
Staying with the autumnal hues, we come to orange. It's a tricky one to work with at times and not always an obvious choice. Our \norange paint colours sample box\n is great if you're trying to create a warming retro feel. For some full-power seventies-inspired styling, just take a look at \nPalette 03: 70s retro paint colours\n.

Purple paint colours\n\nAnother colour that can be difficult to get to grips with where and how to use. Our \npurple paint colours sample box\n features mid-lilacs in the form of \nPurple 01\n. With grown-up grey undertones, this guy works in almost any bedroom and is in no way reminiscent of a bridesmaid's dress. We promise. On the other end of the colour scale, try \nPurple 03\n for a truly regal finish. Wondering how to style purple pastels in your home? Take a peek at our \nNeo Deco pastel paint colours palette\n.

Yellow paint colours\n\nSunshine in a paint tin (or \nyellow paint sample box\n) yellow promises to shine a little light into any room. From soft, creamy \nYellow 01\n to retro \nYellow 02\n, from front doors to dark north-facing rooms, used correctly, yellow can be a great way to brighten up a space. If you’re unsure how to style yellow in your home, our \nNeo Deco pastel paint colour sample box\n will help you out.

We hope this breakdown of our paint sample boxes helps you decide which colour direction you're going to go. We've created this selection of simple-to-use sample boxes to help make decorating easier. But, if you're more set on a style than a colour, then why not take a look at some of our styled sample boxes? From \nJapandi style\n to \nretro paint colours\n, we know there's a style to suit you out there.\n\nSamples are an essential piece of the puzzle when \ncreating a mood board\n, so grab yours today and check out our helpful tips and tricks on \nhow to use samples at home\n along the way.

Why wait for the sun to come out tomorrow when you can have it beaming every day of the week with a lick of  yellow paint? With two sunny-side-up shades in the Lick palette – one custard cream and the other more golden  syrup in vibe – there’s method in making sure you’re picking the right one to suit your room. So rather than  tossing the coin and hoping for the best, here’s how to get shade savvy… \nLet’s talk undertones \nIf you noticed our description of our \nwarm Yellow 02 paint\n with its reddish undertones and are wondering what the heck are we  talking about, let’s break it down.  \nColours are made up of a very precise recipe, and one of the main ingredients is the undertone – the  underlying colour that’s mixed in and that helps to define its character. A warm base, for example, will tip a yellow into warm territory whereas a grey base will add softness, for sure, but it’ll also transform a yellow into a  cool cat.  \nPay attention to them, because they’re key to establishing the whole tone of your room and your colour’s  temperature. Want things cosy? Look for those reds. Want something classic and country? Creamy, yellow  undertones become your bestie. Rather play it cool and contemporary? Blues and greys, come on down. \nDrop a tint. Throw some shade\nSo you’ve got your undertone sorted, now you’ll want to pay attention to how much tint and shade your colour’s working – tint being how much light white is stirred through and shade being the dark side and black pigment to deepen things.\n\nYellow 01\n is fresh as a daisy with lots of tint in the mix, whereas \nYellow 02\n has, without doubt, a dollop of black poured in so give it hidden depths.\nColour compatibility and room direction\nTemperature, tint and shade are your first few pieces of the puzzle, but the next part can be a bit of a stumbling block for many – not for much longer though. The question of which direction does your room face has a lot to do with which colours complement it most.\nIf you don’t want to get bogged down in the detail, why not book a colour consultation with any of our specialists – Tash, Sam and Vanessa? They’ll take you by the hand and guide you to the yellow that best suits your space. Or if you were part of the orienteering club at school, whip out your old friend the compass and discover which yellow will salute to your room’s direction with great honour.\nNorth-facing rooms: warm, sun-boosting yellows\nCool blue light is what you’ll be dealing with in a northerly room, meaning to stop them feeling as cold as ice, you’ll want a room-cheering, warm yellow like \nYellow 02\n. \nYellow 01\n would still look very lovely, but it’ll highlight its tint, making it seem like a paler, whiter yellow than it really is.

East-facing rooms: easygoing creamy yellows\nA warm morning glow and cool evening light, that’s the story of an east-facing room. \nYellow 01\n is just perfect in settings such as this because its paler tendency (because of the aforementioned level of tint) and its creaminess giving you characteristics that work with both sides of the story.

West-facing rooms: yellows that relate to the time of day\nEast- and west-facing spots have the most changeable light, so you’re best bet is to go for a colour that relates to both sides of the coin. Or, think about at what point of the day you’ll be using it most and play to its strengths that way. For example, if you’re painting your kitchen yellow and you spend most of your time there in the evening when the light is warm and sunny, you might want to neutralise it with a cooler yellow like \nYellow 01\n.\nSouth-facing rooms: all yellows welcome\nStrong and clear natural light is what south-facing rooms benefit from and are considered the top of the pack. Why? Because they’re said to suit colours light and dark and with any undertone going on. Just bear in mind that if you pick our warmer \nYellow 02\n, it’s going to feel even more golden in a southerly room – but that sounds like a pretty glorious thing if you ask us.

Did you hear? We’ve just launched our \ncollab with Livingetc\n — the \nLick x Living Etc palette: Neo Deco pastels paint collection\n. With 7 playful colours to choose from, it’s the perfect palette to set your home up for summer, \nMiami Art Deco style\n. Once you’ve had a good ol’ browse through the paint colours, you’ll soon be wondering which ones you should select for your space, which rooms to use them in, and how creative you can get with this palette.\n\nThe good news? Multiple colours from this collection can be used in one room for that much-loved spring and summer vibe. All the colours in this palette are yellow based and have been carefully designed and developed to work harmoniously together.\n\nJust feast your eyes below...

Equally, the colours don’t \nneed\n to be used side by side to make an impact. This collection is designed to decorate your whole house - use them across different rooms and they’ll all compliment each other. For instance, you could use the blues and creamy white on the walls and the deep burgundy as a highlight detail around a door frame in the living room, leading into a dusty pink dining room. Other great combinations include pairing the white, yellow and green mint blue, the white and burgundy, or the pink & white.\n\nDon’t be afraid to get super creative with this palette — the amount of fun colour combinations here are endless. Discover how to style the Miami Neo Deco pastel paint colours in the different rooms of your home, with recommendations from our Lead Colour Specialist, Tash.\nHow to style mint green paint in your home\n\nAlthough it’s called \nBlue 09\n because of its strong blue undertones, this paint colour is actually a soft mint green (our take on \nduck egg blue paint)\n. From bathrooms to hallways, you can use it in multiple rooms to bring those calming outdoor vibes in and create the \nultimate spring colours palette\n in your home.

How to style baby sky blue paint in your home\nGet permanent blue skies in your home office by painting your study with the perfect \nsky blue paint: Blue 08\n. This soothing colour will evoke a feeling of calm as you deal with your workday. Hey, anything to reduce the stress of those back-to-back Zoom meetings. 

How to style warm sunset yellow paint in your home\n\nCraving some sun? Inject some warmth into your home with a few coats of \nYellow 03\n. This warm sunset yellow would work well in hallways or add a playful touch to a guest bedroom, potentially on the ceiling if you’re not \nquite\n ready to add that much yellow to your walls. It’s also a great accent colour to use on tired-looking furniture pieces that could do with a bit of a make-over.

How to style dusky powder blue paint in your home\n\nAdd a burst of the powdery, \ndusky powder Blue 10 paint\n for a pop of colour in your bedroom or bathroom. This shade would also look great on ceilings, giving you that bright blue Miami sky throughout the year.

How to style dusty blush pink paint in your home\n\nWant to create the ultimate cocooning spot? Paint your bedroom walls with the earthy blush \nPink 05\n and snooze in style. It would also work really well in a living room, giving you the perfect backdrop to lounge. Or add a burst of this comforting colour in your dining room, painting the ceiling pink and pairing with creamy white walls.

How to style dark velvety purple paint in your home\n\nThe most ‘dramatic’ colour in this palette, \ndark Purple 03 paint\n is a rich burgundy purple with deep blue undertones. It may be a little too rich to paint all over the four walls of a room, but Tash recommends using it as an accent colour in your bedroom or hallway to add a bit of depth and drama. It would also look great on your kitchen cabinets, especially if you contrast it with creamy white walls.

How to style creamy white paint in your home\n\nFinally, we’ve got the creamy \nWhite 03\n with a warm yellow base. This would work well in a south facing bedroom or a living room where you’re looking to create the illusion of more space. It also pairs well with pretty much every other colour in this palette.

Now, you may actually want to get a closer look at the colours yourself to test them out on your own walls. Easily done, simply \norder some peel-and-stick paint samples\n from the \nLick x Living Etc Neo Deco pastels paint collection\n and work out which colour combinations and shades work best for your space.

Those little marks in your hallway, a few nicks on the staircase, that time the builder propped his ladder up \ndirectly against your wall.\n Life brings with it a few knocks and bumps along the way and few places bear the brunt of this more than your walls. So it stands to reason that we might want to give our walls, masonry, or woodwork a little touch up now and again. How hard can it be, right? The truth is, it isn’t, but there are some factors that you need to consider before you begin your touch up to ensure that you get the perfect result, every time. Find out the dos and don’ts of paint touch-ups so you don’t get caught out.\nWhat is a paint touch up?\nWe’re sure you’re familiar with the idea of touch ups, but just so we’re all on the same page, a paint ‘touch up’ refers to the re-coating of a small area rather than the entire wall or surface, in order to conceal minor scuffs or marks. Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? But there are some problems that can arise.\nWhat problems arise from touching up?\n\nSurface texture\nFirstly, the texture of a bare wall is different to that of a painted wall. So, if in the first instance you were painting onto a bare wall, whereas you’re touching up on a \npainted wall\n, you might notice some slight differences in the surface texture.\nColour difference\nOnce you've painted on a wall it will start \noxidising and curing\n. This will affect how much light is reflected on it as well as the paint finishing. It essentially means the paint has ‘set’ on your walls. Unfortunately, if you paint on a surface that is already cured, \neven\n if you’re using exactly the same paint (from the same tin no less!) the colour may be slightly different.\n\nWhy does it happen?\nDespite your best intentions, in reality, it’s just not feasible to achieve a perfect match when fresh paint is applied to old paint that has been affected by conditions like weathering and wear and tear.\n\nPrevention\nProper preparation is the best form of prevention. Ensure that your walls are \nprepped before painting\n to guarantee the best finishing. This includes making sure that your walls are as smooth as a baby’s bottom before you begin. Always make sure to use the same paint (if possible the same tin) as you did to begin with. And remember, a workman is only as good as his tools, so take care of your gear by \ncleaning and caring for your paintbrush and roller\n.\n\nSolution\nUnfortunately, as with most things worth having, there’s no quick-fix solution when it comes to perfectly painted walls. The \nbest\n solution is to paint the entire area. Fortunately, areas like our skirting boards (which usually bear the brunt of the heaving lifting) can be painted relatively quickly and easily as an entire area. If you’re looking to touch up your walls, this requires a little more work. Lighter colours tend to be a bit more forgiving because when you’re painting with darker colours, more pigment, any difference in colour or texture, will be more obvious. \n\nWe know it’s not the easiest, but the best solution is to paint the entire wall. Don’t shoot the messenger!

Colour differences between paint batches\nWhile we do test each new batch for colour consistency, minute variations between batches are experienced by all paint manufacturers.\n\nWhile they are minute, when applied onto the same wall, the human eye is extremely good at noticing the difference, so it becomes more obvious.\n\nWe check both our samples and every batch of paint with a spectrophotometer, and then by eye, as the human eye is actually far more sensitive to subtle differences based on specific lights.\n\nAs a result, in order to achieve a flawless finish, the most straightforward resolution is, again, to repaint the surface as a whole.\nFor more painting tips and tricks from our experts, find out \nhow to prevent picture framing on a painted wall\n.

We have all been getting more and more concerned lately about climate change and humanity’s effect upon the environment. Just like you, we’re constantly finding ourselves on the lookout for ways to lower our impact on the planet and create a better future for our kids. \nIs that always possible? Unfortunately, no. But even with something like painting, there’s always a better option. In this case - an eco paint with no nasties. Here’s where Lick comes into play.

What are the nasties and why are they bad for us and the planet?\n\nLet’s face it - paint is not always a harmless product. There are often ingredients that could cause skin irritation, or worse. Not to mention the strong smell that can easily make us nauseous, especially if we’re decorating a smaller place or have to apply more coats. And that’s before you factor in the environmental impact of solvents.\nLick’s paint is different. Yes, we know how that sounds, so let us tell you more about it.\nFirst of all, it’s super durable and wipe-clean. That means that you won’t have to worry about re-painting your room every few months if your Friday night guests accidentally spill a glass of wine on the wall. 

Our paint has low odour, so it’s perfectly suitable for people who are decorating small spaces or for those who are sensitive to smells. \nLick’s products are also \nlow VOC\n. We took extra care to formulate them this way because we strongly believe that you should limit your exposure to VOCs as much as you can. We’re water-based and have no solvents, so with our range of products we’re not only taking care of you but also the planet. Because if we don’t, who will?\nWe’ve tried to minimise our impact on the environment by cutting down on plastic and using wooden handles instead. That way you can enjoy a sturdy grip and long-lasting paint brushes & rollers that you’ll be able to use again and again.\nAnd, last but not least, Lick is absolutely child- and pet-safe. Now, you’ll still want to keep the paint away from the kids when you’re not around, but you can easily let them decorate the walls in their room with you - imagine how much fun that would be! Thanks to our paint’s \nlow VOC\n, low odour and zero solvents, you won’t have to worry about their exposure to dangerous ingredients: you can simply enjoy some creative time together. And yes, your dog can join in too.

We at Lick are working on improving our products so they’re more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This doesn’t happen overnight, but we’re committed to changing the paint industry as we know it - and becoming better and even more responsible as we move forward. \n\nAre you with us?

If you have a shed in your garden, you’ll know that it’s more than just a spot to stash that never-used treadmill or other abandoned piece of gym equipment (hey, we all have one). A good-looking garden shed can contribute a lot to the overall ‘look’ of your outdoor space. \n\nOne of the main ways you can transform your shed from a simple storage space to an aesthetically pleasing garden attraction? Revive it with a lovely, durable paint colour of your choice.\n\nSo if you fancy sprucing up your shed for a little bit of garden eye candy, keep reading. We break down all the essential tools you need to paint a shed, how to paint a shed and the \nbest shed paint\n out there.\nTools you’ll need to paint a shed\n\nLet’s kick off with what you’ll need: \n\nMild cleaning solution\nA bucket filled with water \nCleaning sponge \nSanding block \nPaint brush \nA tin of weather-resistant \nexterior and masonry paint\n\nWhat is the best paint for sheds?\n\nWhen choosing paint for your shed, durability and wearability should be your priorities. Obviously, you want a fabulous colour that’ll spice up your garden space - but it also needs to stand the test of a fair few British rainy seasons. \n\nOur \nrange of Lick exterior and masonry paints\n is designed to be weatherproof, self-priming and highly durable. Perfect for all those tired-looking garden sheds out there. 

How to prepare your shed for painting \n\nBefore you start slapping the paint on, there are a few essential prep steps to get your shed surface ready: \n\nClean the shed surface.\n Boring, we know. But an essential step to get that shed surface paint-ready. Use a bucket of water and a mild cleaning solution to sponge down the surface. \nSand down any old paint. \nTo prep your shed for its gorgeous new paint, it’s time to say goodbye to the old. Sand it down to get rid of any old, flaky paint bits. Our \nwall repair kit\n comes with a 120 grit sanding block.\nMake sure the surface is completely dry. \nOne of the mantras of painting - never, ever paint a damp wood surface. \n\nCheck out our blog for all the steps you should take to \npaint wooden furniture\n and other surfaces with Lick. \nHow to paint a shed - the step-by-step process\n\nStep 1 – Apply primer (if needed)\n\nWhile this step isn’t essential if you use Lick paint (all our paints are self-priming), we’d recommend it for previously painted surfaces or drastic colour changes. \n\nStep 3 – Apply your first of coat of Lick paint \n\nTime to actually paint the shed AKA the fun part. Start to apply your first coat of Lick paint colour of choice evenly over the surface of your shed. Feeling like going bold and colourful? Try our \nyellow shed paint\n.\n\nStep 4 – Allow the first coat to dry \n\nYou’ll be pleased to find that this part requires absolutely zero effort on your part. Sit back with a cuppa and wait for that first coat of shed paint to dry. \n\nStep 5 – After at least 4 hours of chill time, apply that second coat \n\nWe’d recommend two full coats to give you that professional paint job finish you’re after. \n\nAnd there you have it, a spruced-up garden shed that’s \na lot\n more exciting to look at than it was a few hours ago. Save the shed decluttering session for another day.\n\nExplore our range of \nexterior and masonry paint colours\n.

With summer almost in sight, now is the right time to start thinking about giving your outdoor spaces a bit of a spruce. One of the easiest ways to transform your garden without a big investment is by reviving your outdoor furniture with fresh paint. How, you ask? Depending on the type of material your garden furniture is made of, you may need to follow a slightly different painting process.\n\nIf your outdoor furniture is made of wood, check out our blog post on \nhow to paint a shed\n, as it’s a similar process for all outdoor wooden items. If your garden furniture is made of metal, you’re in the right place. Learn more about how to paint metal garden furniture and all the prep that goes into it.\nWhat is the best paint for outdoor metal garden furniture? \n\nNot to toot our own horn, but we’ve just launched a range of exterior paint that works beautifully on metal garden furniture. Meet \nLick exterior paint\n, a high-coverage range of paints designed to be used on all kinds of outside surfaces. Our exterior paints have all the pigment-rich vibrancy of our indoor paints, with the added durability and gloss retention needed to brave the outdoor elements.\nTools you’ll need to paint metal garden furniture \n\nStart by gathering your tools: \n\nLick exterior paint\n: explore our range of 13 colours to find the right one for you\nProtective clothing\n\nBiodegradable dust sheet\n or a \ndecorators canvas\n to protect surrounding areas \n\nPaint brush\n\nMetal primer (for ferrous metals)\nHow to prep metal garden furniture before painting \n\nProper prep will decide how flawless your furniture finish will be. Here’s how to prep outdoor furniture made of metal before painting: \nAssess the conditions of any bolts and replace any missing or rusty ones. \nKill any algae on your metal garden furniture with a fungicidal wash. \nRemove any existing paint flakes from the furniture so you have a smooth and even surface to paint on. \nOnce all the above is done, clean and dry the surface before painting. \nIf working with ferrous metals, apply a special metal primer before painting.\nHow to paint metal garden furniture \nFirst, pick a dry day for painting. Although our exterior paint is designed to be weather-resistant, it needs its initial drying time before it can be exposed to rainwater. \nWhen it comes to priming, the process differs a bit depending on the type of metal you’re working with. If it’s ferrous, you’ll need a metal primer. If your garden furniture is made of non-ferrous metals, you can apply our exterior paint directly without priming.\nPainting on galvanised steel? Expose it to outside elements for a couple of months before painting, then apply directly without priming.\nWe recommend applying two coats of exterior paint to your garden furniture, even if you see great coverage in just one. That second coat will add durability and longevity to your paint job.  \nNote, if you’re using Lick exterior paint, you won’t need to use any varnish as it’s designed to be durable and retain gloss.\n

Ready to pick a colour for your metal garden furniture? Explore our new range of exterior and masonry paint, with 13 colours to choose from. And read \nour step-by-step guide on how to paint your house exterior.\n

Everything you need to know about paint. How to apply it, how to prep walls before painting and the best tips & tricks from our expert decorators.

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