A Complete Guide to Repainting Your Hong Kong Apartment
A fresh coat of paint is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to transform your Hong Kong flat. Whether you are refreshing a tired rental, preparing a flat for sale, or updating your home, repainting dramatically improves both aesthetics and air quality. But in Hong Kong's humid climate and compact living spaces, there are specific considerations that make painting here different from anywhere else.
Choosing the Right Paint Type
Not all paints are equal, and the choice matters even more in Hong Kong where humidity frequently exceeds 80%.
- Emulsion paint (乳膠漆) — The standard choice for interior walls. Water-based, easy to apply, and available in matt, silk, and soft sheen finishes. Matt hides imperfections; silk finishes are more wipeable — ideal for kitchens and children's rooms.
- Anti-mould paint (防霉漆) — A must-consider for HK homes. Brands like Nippon and Dulux offer formulations with built-in fungicides. If your flat faces north or has poor ventilation, anti-mould paint is worth the premium.
- Odourless / low-VOC paint — Volatile Organic Compounds released as paint dries can cause headaches and nausea in small, poorly ventilated HK flats. The Environmental Protection Department encourages low-VOC products. Look for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) certification or Green Label paint.
- Waterproof paint (防水漆) — For bathrooms, kitchens, and exterior walls. Elastomeric waterproof paints bridge hairline cracks and prevent water ingress — useful for older buildings.
Popular Brands in Hong Kong
- Nippon Paint (立邦漆) — Japan's largest paint manufacturer has a massive HK presence. Their Odour-less All-in-One range is popular, combining anti-mould, low-VOC, and stain-resistant properties. Nippon operates colour-mixing centres across Hong Kong.
- Dulux (多樂士) — Equally ubiquitous. Their EasyClean and Weathershield ranges suit HK conditions well. Dulux offers a colour consultation service and an AR app for previewing colours.
Other options include Jotun, Benjamin Moore (at premium outlets), and local brands found at hardware shops on Shanghai Street in Mong Kok and Queen's Road West in Sheung Wan.
Preparation: The Key to a Good Finish
Proper preparation accounts for roughly 60% of a professional paint job. Skipping it is the top reason paint peels or looks uneven.
- Scraping and sanding — Remove loose, flaking old paint and sand smooth with 120-grit sandpaper. Older HK flats may have multiple layers needing stripping.
- Crack and hole repair — Fill with suitable filler (油灰), let dry completely, and sand smooth. Use flexible filler for larger cracks.
- Treating damp and mould — Apply mould-killing solution (1:10 bleach-to-water) before painting. Address the moisture source if possible — painting over damp walls guarantees the problem returns.
- Priming — Apply primer on new plaster, repaired areas, or stained surfaces. Alkali-resistant primer is recommended for concrete walls common in HK buildings.
- Masking — Tape door frames, window frames, switches, and sockets. Cover floors and furniture. In compact HK flats, careful masking is essential.
Cost of Painting a Hong Kong Flat
- Studio / 1-bedroom (200–400 sq ft) — HK$5,000 to HK$12,000
- 2-bedroom (400–600 sq ft) — HK$8,000 to HK$18,000
- 3-bedroom (600–900 sq ft) — HK$12,000 to HK$28,000
Prices typically include two coats of emulsion plus one primer coat. Higher-end paints, extensive repairs, or multi-colour schemes add to the cost. Always confirm what is included in the quote — materials, furniture moving, masking, and cleanup.
DIY vs Professional Painters
Many HK owners opt for professional painters (油漆師傅) for speed, quality, and the difficulty of painting in cramped spaces. A professional team can finish a two-bedroom flat in two to three days. For DIY, ensure good ventilation — open all windows and use fans. Avoid painting on very humid days (above 85% relative humidity) as paint will not cure properly.
VOC Regulations and Indoor Air Quality
The EPD's voluntary IAQ Certification Scheme encourages low-VOC products. While not mandatory for homes, choosing low-VOC or zero-VOC paints is strongly recommended, especially with young children, elderly residents, or anyone with respiratory conditions. After painting, ventilate thoroughly for at least 48 to 72 hours before sleeping in freshly painted rooms.
A well-executed paint job should last five to eight years. Investing in quality paint and proper preparation is always more economical than repainting every two years with cheap materials.