Plant-based paint: what is it and why choose it?

When choosing paint for our homes, we tend to focus on colour, finish and durability. But have you ever considered what actually holds that colour together on your walls?

Many conventional paints rely on plastic-based binders derived from petrochemicals. Plant-based paint offers a different approach, using ingredients derived from renewable plant sources instead.

At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, our paints are made using a plant-based binder alongside carefully selected earth and mineral pigments, combining traditional materials with the performance expected of modern architectural paint.

But what exactly is plant-based paint, and what makes it different?

What is plant-based paint?

Plant-based paint is paint formulated using ingredients derived from plants, particularly within the binder that holds the pigment together and helps the paint adhere to a surface.

The binder is one of the most important ingredients in any paint. While many conventional emulsions use acrylic or vinyl polymers, which are forms of plastic, our paint uses a plant-based alternative.

This allows us to create high-quality architectural paint without relying on the conventional plastic binders commonly found in modern emulsion.

It’s important to remember that plant-based doesn’t necessarily mean every ingredient comes from a plant. Our paints also contain carefully selected earth and mineral pigments, alongside other ingredients required for performance and stability.

How is plant-based paint different from conventional paint?

The principal difference lies in the ingredients used to make the paint.

Conventional emulsion paints commonly use petrochemical-derived plastic polymers as binders. These help form the paint film and give it its practical properties.

Our plant-based binder is made using renewable ingredients, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-derived plastics.

The result is a different approach to creating a durable decorative finish, one that considers not only how paint looks on the wall but also the materials from which it is made.

What are the benefits of plant-based paint?

Less reliance on plastic

Paint is used across enormous surface areas in our homes, yet its plastic content is often overlooked.

Choosing paint made with a plant-based binder is one way to reduce reliance on conventional plastic-based materials in decoration.

It also forms part of a wider conversation about the environmental impact of paint and the importance of considering ingredients throughout a product’s lifecycle.

Ingredient transparency

We believe that understanding what goes into paint should be straightforward.

At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, we openly declare our ingredients so customers can make informed decisions about the materials they bring into their homes.

This transparency is an important part of our approach to natural decoration.

Breathable finishes

Our Natural Emulsion is highly breathable, allowing water vapour to pass through the painted surface.

This is particularly valuable in period properties and buildings constructed using traditional materials such as lime plaster, where maintaining breathability is an important consideration.

Breathability depends on the complete paint formulation rather than simply whether a binder is plant-based, so it’s important to choose a finish appropriate to the surface being decorated.

Beautiful natural colour

Our colour palette is created using carefully selected earth and mineral pigments, combined to produce colours with depth and complexity.

From earthy reds and ochres to mineral blues and greens, these pigments have a long history in architectural decoration.

As natural light changes throughout the day, different undertones can become more apparent, bringing variety and character to a painted room.

Is plant-based paint as durable as conventional paint?

Choosing plant-based paint doesn’t mean compromising on performance.

Our paints are formulated for everyday use, offering excellent coverage and durable finishes suitable for different surfaces throughout the home.

Our Natural Emulsion typically provides good coverage in two coats, while our range of finishes allows you to decorate walls, ceilings and woodwork.

As with any paint, choosing the correct finish and preparing the surface properly are essential for achieving the best results.

Is plant-based paint suitable for modern homes?

Absolutely. Although natural materials are often associated with historic buildings, plant-based paint is equally suitable for contemporary interiors.

Whether you’re decorating a newly built home, refreshing a kitchen or renovating a period property, the important considerations remain the same: choosing an appropriate finish, preparing the surface and selecting colours that work with the architecture and natural light.

Our colours are designed to complement both traditional and modern interiors, allowing you to make a more considered choice about the materials used throughout your home.

Is plant-based paint more sustainable?

Using renewable plant-derived ingredients rather than conventional petrochemical binders can reduce reliance on fossil-based raw materials.

However, sustainability involves more than the origin of a single ingredient.

The environmental impact of paint also depends on manufacturing, packaging, transport, coverage, durability and what happens to materials at the end of their useful life.

At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, we’re committed to examining these wider considerations, being transparent about our ingredients and continually working to reduce our environmental impact.

Discover Edward Bulmer Natural Paint

Our belief is simple: paint should be made with as much consideration for its ingredients as for its colour and performance.

Explore our natural paint colours, learn more about what goes into our paint, or order A5 colour swatches and sample pots to discover our palette in your own home.

If you’d like advice on choosing the right colours, our Colour Consultants are also available to help.