One summer in Santorini, and suddenly, you’re craving limewashed walls. The texture, the softness, the way light slides across the surface like it belongs there, feels fated — and it’s hard not to want it at home. But where does one actually buy limewash paint?
Despite its seemingly effortless look, limewash can be surprisingly tricky. It’s not always stocked at your go-to paint store, it requires specific tools, and it tends to cost more than your average gallon. It’s no wonder DIY limewash paint hacks have taken off. Still, nothing compares to the real thing — and there’s a reason this mineral-based finish has been trending for centuries.
“It gives your space a feeling that is somewhat intangible but can be felt due to the natural materials and the way the light hits the wall surface — our bodies respond to this in a subliminal way,” says Bronwyn Riedel, founder of Bauwerk Colour. In shades like umber or burnt sienna, “this creates colors with a beautiful depth and nuance… a neutral with a beautiful underlying tone that will work in any home.”
So I did the digging. Below, you can find where to buy limewash paint online, plus the tools you’ll need to get it right. Scroll away to achieve the perfectly imperfect walls of your dreams.
Where to Buy Limewash Paint
DETALE CPH
DETALE CPH’s “Bloom” is a quietly optimistic neutral with soft floral undertones, which reads like plaster, but prettier.
From £50 for 3L
DETALE CPH does high-design color for people who want the look without calling in a crew. The brand made its debut with the renovation of Copenhagen’s Hotel SP34 in 2014, which is to say that it's essentially the kind of art-forward, textural finishes you see on Instagram, in tin form.
Based in Copenhagen with production in Denmark and Sweden, DETALE keeps sustainability central. All of its paints meet ISO9001-certified quality standards, and its limewash line is no exception.
The shade range is small, but tight. The standout is easily KABRIC Bloom — a neutral with floral undertones and a soft matte finish that reads like real limewash, without all of the extra steps.
Bauwerk Colour
Obsessed with color? Bauwerk’s cult-favorite lineup has every nuanced shade you didn’t know you needed.
From £30 for 1L
Bauwerk Colour is arguably the best-known name in limewash — and with what they claim is the world’s largest shade range, it’s easy to see why. There are hundreds of nuanced options to choose from, though their warm neutrals and off-whites remain the most timeless.
Coverage is generous, too: 1L gets you around 6m² for two coats, whether you’re working indoors or out. That, paired with their smooth mineral formula, explains the brand’s cult following — from Australia to Europe to NYC.
It happens to be the go-to for New York–based interior designer Katie Harbison. “While the success of limewash heavily relies on its application, I believe that the quality of the product is equally crucial,” she says. “Bauwerk’s limewash consistently provides a beautiful texture, and when it comes to deeper shades, their products deliver a remarkable richness and depth of color that enhances any space.”
Rust-Oleum
Rust-Oleum’s deep teal brings a hit of Mediterranean clarity.
From £65 for 2.5L
If you search “limewash paint” on Amazon, Rust-Oleum is likely your first hit (although they also sell directly from their website). This is for good reason. With over 50 color options (including unexpected tones like terracotta and green), it’s one of the more accessible entry points into the look.
The paints are water-based, pH neutral, and dry surprisingly fast — touch-dry in an hour, hard-dry in four. And if you’re ordering direct, there’s a dropdown to bundle in undercoats, brushes, and everything else you’ll need to pull off the finish.
Limebase
From £45.48 for 10L
Limewash is all about history — a sentiment Limebase clearly understands. With over 15 years of experience, their paints have been used in both new builds and heritage restorations, offering an impressively authentic finish.
The limewash range includes 53 shades, all made from natural, sustainable materials, and suitable for both interior and exterior use — a rarity in this category. Just note: any color marked with an asterisk is “unstable in its wet state” and should be applied within five days of mixing. You can also opt to receive the pigment as a pouch and mix it when ready.
One thing to keep in mind: Limebase doesn’t do small. You can choose between a 120ml sample or a full 10L tub. Luckily, at this price, committing to coverage isn’t a hard sell.
Keim Paints
Keim hasn’t been around as long as limewash itself, but close. Expect the kind of staying power that only over one hundred years of mastery can deliver.
From £31.38 for 1L
Keim has been in the mineral paint game since 1878. Handcrafted in Shropshire using only 100% natural ingredients, their paints have pretty major longevity: they bind to surfaces, resist UV and rain, and stay vibrant for decades (which is great if you're after external usage).
Its KEIM Colourwash line is designed to deliver a soft, limewash look after just one coat, with five muted, timeless shades (names like “Bear” and “Knit” keep things charming). There’s also a bespoke color service available, should you wish for additional guidance.
Lakeland Paints
From £62.90 for 5L
Lakeland’s ready-to-use limewash range has a not-so-humble brag: 372 premixed colors. Yes, really. From chalky whites to bold tones like magenta and violet, nothing is off-limits, and yet, everything is entirely natural, low-VOC, and super breathable.
The finish is matte, earthy, and delightfully uneven. A bonus is that it's also naturally resistant to fungal, algal, and bacterial growth, so it works just as well on interior walls as it does on tricky outdoor surfaces (including historic masonry and even cellars, according to reviewers).
Use the online paint calculator to get your quantities right — and prepare to be overwhelmed in the best possible way by the shade range.
Impera Italia
Impera Italia’s palette has all the bespoke sensibilities you’d expect from a Milanese atelier. The greens are especially enviable.
From £22.80 for 1L
For something a little less expected, there’s Impera Italia, a brand specializing in Italian decorative finishes with a flair for the slightly unorthodox. Their Lime Eco line delivers a traditional mineral paint base, but with a twist: it won’t produce a true limewash effect unless diluted properly. The upside is full creative control.
“For a standard application we recommend diluting the first coat around 30% and the second coat around 15%,” the brand advises. “Please bear in mind, the level of dilution will vary depending on the effect you would like to achieve.” This requires a little trial and error, but the payoff is a tailored, heritage-style finish.
There are 19 shades in the range, mostly neutrals, with a few standout pastels like Gorgona and Murano — elegant blues and greens that feel rare in this category.
Limewash Paint Brushes and Tools
Limewash paint isn't applied with a normal paintbrush. Rollers are a no. Instead, you’ll need a few specific tools to get the finish right, from brushes to primers to the occasional undercoat, depending on the surface and effect you’re after.
- Lime Wash Paint Block Brush from Bauwerk Colour — Limewash calls for a specialist brush, not just for coverage, but to create the tonal movement and texture that defines the finish. This one from Bauwerk is designed specifically for lime paint.
- Limewash Effect Undercoat from Rust-Oleum — Limewash requires a special primer when applying to previously painted surfaces, non-porous surfaces, and drywall. You won't need this if you're using limewash on wood, though.
- Colourwash Textured Undercoat by Kein from Celtic Sustainables — Not essential, but highly recommended if you want that truly aged, imperfect look. It builds in natural texture, giving the final limewash a more dimensional, timeworn feel.
FAQs
Are there any cons to limewash paint?
A little limewash — a whisper, if you will — goes a long way.
Not exactly a con — but limewash does require a different technique than standard roller painting. The key word is different, not necessarily harder, according to Bronwyn Riedel, co-founder of Bauwerk Colour. It takes a bit of getting used to, but when applied with the proper brush (never a roller), the process is surprisingly simple — and even creative — as long as you follow the basic rules. “We use the term ‘trust the process,’” Bronwyn adds.
What are the pros of limewash paint?
While limewash isn’t scrub-proof like traditional “wash and wear” paints, it brings something more valuable to the table — sustainability. “It’s better for the planet and the air quality of your home,” says Bronwyn.
“Many standard paints have a toxic mix of chemicals such as biocides, plastics, and heavy metals to make them function as paints that stick to your wall and allow you to scrub them,” she explains. Limewash, on the other hand, is made with natural ingredients and “has natural antibacterial qualities."
How expensive is limewash paint?
If you’re feeling moody, go gray. Layer it up a little extra wherever you want to brood.
Limewash tends to be more expensive than standard paint types. For reference, a liter from the brands mentioned above typically ranges from £25 to £90, and depending on the size of your space, you’ll likely need multiple tins. By comparison, conventional flat paints tend to cost between £20 and £40 per 2.5L tin. With limewash paint, you'll also need to factor in the added cost of a primer, densifier, and masonry brush or sprayer.
"Limewash paint can be more expensive than regular paint because the materials and process to apply it are different compared to other paint finishes," says Lowe's store manager, Gary McCoy. "Limewash is usually applied in thin coats, and it can take multiple coats for full coverage, meaning the amount of paint needed to get the job done is usually more than regular paint."
How to choose a limewash paint color for your home
Once you've decided where to buy limewash paint, you then need to decide on a paint color idea. For interior designer Katie Harbison, that decision is influenced by several factors, including the room's purpose and the amount of natural light it receives. "Additionally, it is essential that the paint harmonizes with any architectural details or existing features within the space," she adds, along with the soft furnishings, like rugs, curtains and pillows.
While rooms with lots of natural light tend to afford you more flexibility, for darker rooms, consider either a softer color that will help reflect light around the room, or embrace the space with a darker shade that will create a cozy, cocooning feeling.
Katie also notes that when choosing to buy limewash paints in any color, it's important to remember that it's a delicate finish. "Limewash is highly susceptible to marks and stains, and unfortunately, it cannot be cleaned without compromising its finish," she says. "Therefore, while its aesthetic appeal is undeniable, its practicality in a busy household is limited."
How should I style around limewash paint?
Limewash usually plays it safe, but Bauwerk’s range makes a strong case for falling in love with color again.
“I think all rooms are great for limewash, but if you’re trying it for the first time, bedrooms and lounge spaces are perfect,” says Bauwerk Colour’s Bronwyn Riedel.
“Limewash is a paint that works with all styles,” Bronwyn adds, “but my favourite is to pair it with both collected pieces and modern elements — and to totally color-drench the space by painting both walls and ceilings.”
In other words: go big. You’re already home.
Now you know everything you need to know about where to buy limewash paint, you might be interested in exploring our edit of the best paint brands.
