The best interior paint for most walls is an acrylic (PVA) wall paint: entry-level Classic Acrylic PVA for general rooms, and premium washable UltraLux for high-traffic and wet areas. Both go on plastered interior walls and ceilings-adjacent surfaces, cover well, and come in matt or low sheen. This guide explains what interior paint is, how PVA compares to premium acrylic, whether it is washable, and how much you need.
Which type of paint is best for an interior wall?
An acrylic PVA wall paint is best for interior walls, with a premium washable acrylic where walls get touched or cleaned. Acrylic wall paint breathes, holds its colour and covers plastered brick well, which makes it the standard for South African interiors. Classic Acrylic PVA is the everyday choice for bedrooms and lounges; UltraLux is the premium upgrade for passages, kitchens and any wall that needs to wipe clean and last.
What is PVA paint used for?
PVA paint is a water-based acrylic wall paint used on interior and exterior plastered walls and ceilings for a matt or low-sheen decorative finish. It is the general-purpose wall paint most homes use — easy to apply, quick to dry, low in odour and simple to clean up with water. Classic Acrylic PVA covers new and previously painted walls, giving a clean, even finish at the best price for large areas.
What is the difference between acrylic and PVA paint?
In South Africa "PVA" and "acrylic" wall paint largely overlap: PVA is a water-based wall paint, and better PVAs are pure-acrylic for extra durability and colour retention. The practical difference is quality tier, not a different job. A basic PVA covers walls affordably; a pure-acrylic paint like UltraLux binds harder, washes better and holds colour longer under light and cleaning. Rhinoluxe Classic Acrylic PVA is an acrylic PVA — the dependable everyday tier — with UltraLux as the premium acrylic step up.
Is PVA paint washable?
Standard matt PVA is wipeable but not fully scrubbable; for a genuinely washable wall you want a premium acrylic or a low-sheen finish. A gentle wipe lifts light marks from matt PVA, but hard scrubbing can burnish or mark it. In kitchens, passages and children's rooms, UltraLux gives a washable, hard-wearing film that takes regular cleaning, and a low sheen wipes down more easily than a dead matt. For the highest-splash surfaces, High Sheen Enamel is fully washable.
Classic Acrylic PVA or UltraLux: which should you choose?
Choose Classic Acrylic PVA for general rooms on a budget, and UltraLux where durability, washability and long colour life matter. On bedrooms, lounges and low-traffic walls, Classic Acrylic PVA gives a clean finish at the best price. On passages, kitchens, kids' rooms and exterior walls, UltraLux earns its higher price with a washable, UV-stable film that lasts longer between repaints. Many homes use PVA on the bulk of the walls and UltraLux where the wear is.
Matt or low sheen for interior walls?
Matt suits low-traffic walls and ceilings and hides imperfections; low sheen suits walls you need to wipe. A matt finish gives a soft, modern look and disguises minor wall flaws, but it is less scrubbable. A low sheen reflects a little more light, shows the wall more, and cleans more easily — the better pick for kitchens, passages and busy rooms. UltraLux comes in matt or low sheen so you can match the finish to the room. More detail is in the guide to choosing the right finish for every room.
How much interior paint do you need?
About 1 litre of wall paint covers 6 to 8 square metres (m²) per coat, so a 20 litre (L) tin covers roughly 120 to 160 m² per coat. Measure each wall (length × height), subtract doors and windows, and plan for two coats. Rough or unpainted plaster uses more paint than a smooth, previously painted wall, and a strong colour change may need an extra coat. Buying 20 L works out cheaper per litre for a full room or house.
How do you prepare interior walls?
Clean the wall, fill and sand cracks and holes, and prime bare plaster or patchy areas before painting. Wash off dust and grease, scrape any flaking paint, fill and sand repairs flush, and prime new plaster with an alkali-resistant plaster primer so the topcoat does not flash or peel. Good preparation is what makes an interior finish look even and last.
Interior paint colours
Interior paint comes in the full colour range; whites and warm neutrals keep rooms light, and a single feature wall adds depth. View a test patch in both daylight and evening light before committing, since colour shifts with the light and the room's aspect. Our colour guides cover colours for small rooms and how colour affects mood, and a common-pitfalls list in 5 mistakes when choosing interior paint.
Sizes and cost
Classic Acrylic PVA and UltraLux come in 5 litre (L) and 20 L. Compare on covered area over two coats rather than tin price. For current pricing, see the product pages or the full price list.
Where to buy
Shop interior wall paint — Classic Acrylic PVA and UltraLux — with national delivery, or visit our paint shops in Table View, Cape Town and Edenvale, Johannesburg. For colour and trade advice, call +27 84 985 6141. See the full wall paint guide.
