Painting light colour over very dark colour - how to?

[ChateauneufDuTwat]

Am sick of my dark blue living room after just over a year and want to go for something much lighter (looking for a dupe for F+B Peignoir maybe).

The room is small and it has ended up feeling dingy and oppressive rather than cool and retro like I had envisioned.

Do I start with a good few coats of white before applying the desired final colour?

Or do I use a primer instead? Bit clueless about painting tbh and usually just keep slapping it on till I achieve the desired effect.

Any tips gratefully received!

[SluttyButty]

When we moved in here last year the walls were a variety of dark or luminous shades, just as well I could see past it when viewing.
My husband did the painting and we have nearly all white walls, he did about three coats of a cheaper store emulsion and then a final coat with a better quality white. You'd never know that the loft room was cerise pink now or the bathroom and downstairs loo along with the kitchen and living room were dark Hospital green

[ChateauneufDuTwat]

Cheers Slutty. Going to crack on with the wilkos white emulsion in the morning then 👍.

I was the opposite. Bought the house last spring, walls were all neutral/pale and I immediately wanted to put my stamp on it by painting the living room dark. I now realise I was a bit too keen .

[ChateauneufDuTwat]

So I'm six, thats SIX coats of Dulux Pure Brilliant White in and it's still not opaque 😩.

DON'T PAINT YOUR BLOODY WALLS DARK, PEOPLE!!!

[Franberry500]

I found that the more expensive paints like Little Greene covered up dark colours much better than ordinary emulsion. Completely covered up a dark chocolate brown with a very light grey in only 2 coats!

[StringandGlitter]

Trade paint has a higher pigment coverage (and also better quality pigment) than retail paint. Something like Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt or even Dulux Trade Duamond Matt would have better coverage than the stuff you buy on the shelves of B&Q. It is also more expensive but you need less of it so it evens out in the end.

(Source: used to work for Dulux. Other paint companies exist).

[Chocolate1984]

Someone told me if you have dark walls you should paint over them in pale grey instead of white,

[ErrantBakedBean]

I've heard good things about the Valspar range that has a built in primer?

[ChateauneufDuTwat]

Thanks all but my paint job is done and dusted and I will categorically NOT be painting any more rooms any kind of dark shades!

Loving the white. The room looks twice as big, it looks fresh and bright and the light is wonderful. It really did appear cavernous before.