Online search for paint deals was up a whopping 700% this month, as people realise they finally have time to makeover their homes. Despite that, it seems unlikely we will see shortages of paint – everyone from Farrow & Ball to Dulux is well stocked. However, being able to pick paint up, or get it delivered is not so straightforward. So, where can you buy paint?
Although DIY shops have been designated as 'essential' – meaning they are allowed to remain open – B&Q and Homebase have shut their stores, and the former will not be reopening during the current Covid situation.
B&Q, Wickes, Homebase and others are still operating online, of course, but with varying degrees of effectiveness. There are delivery delays and intermittent website issues to contend with, and all three shops stopped selling paint entirely. However the good news is that they all now have paint for home delivery – but not click and collect, as paint is not deemed to be 'essential'.
That would leave Wilko as potentially your best option for where to buy paint. Wilko's stores are open and they are promising that 'standard delivery is still available'. Unfortunately that is not the case with paint, which is currently available in-store only. Damn.
The paint situation is rather 'fluid' at the moment, ho ho, so apologies in advance if the retailers below have sold out or stopped selling paint since we last checked. A week ago, you pretty much could not buy paint online from any of the big stores so overall the situation is now much improved.
Where to buy paint in the UK
- Shop for paint at Wickes – 'next-day delivery' available!
- Shop for paint at B&Q (DIY.com) – Dulux is available, Farrow & Ball is not
- Shop for paint at Argos – stock varies by area
- Shop for paint at Homebase – Farrow & Ball is available, but Dulux and the like seemingly not
Shop for Farrow & Ball paint at Homebase - Shop for paint at Amazon
- Home paint specialist Dowsing & Reynolds is still delivering
Where to buy paint in the USA
We're not going to sugar coat it: being stuck at home is a pain in the ass. However, it's important to make the most of it, whether that's by working out at home, trying a spot of yoga or finally getting around to fixing your home's paintwork.
Painting walls can be extremely relaxing, at least until you come to do the edging, and the results will be a pleasure for many years to come. Especially if what you are replacing is grubby emulsion that's not been touched up since 2007, or an ill-advised colour experiment triggered by watching home makeover shows.
More stay-at-home essentials
Best paint deals
Underlining that paint is not in short supply, not only is it still widely on sale, it's even going cheap…