A glittering feature wall used to mean buying expensive, ready-made glitter paint in a limited range of colours. There's an easier way: a glitter paint additive that you mix straight into your own paint, clear varnish or even grout. You keep the exact colour you love and simply add as much sparkle as you want.
Here's everything you need to know to do it well.
What is a glitter paint additive?
A glitter paint additive is a fine decorative glitter – often supplied as a gel – that blends into water-based (emulsion) paint. Instead of being limited to a handful of pre-made glitter paint shades, you add the glitter to any colour you already have, controlling exactly how subtle or dramatic the shimmer is.
Primacol Glitter Paint Additive comes in four finishes – gold, silver, rainbow and holographic – in a 150 ml jar.
How to add glitter to wall paint, step by step
- Choose a water-based paint. The additive is designed for interior water-based (emulsion) paints. Smoother, higher-quality paints show the glitter most clearly.
- Pour the glitter gel into the paint. Add it directly to the can or to a smaller batch if you're testing.
- Stir thoroughly – but gently. Mix by hand or with a low-speed mixer. Avoid high-speed mixers, which can damage the glitter and reduce the sparkle.
- Adjust to taste. The more glitter you add, the stronger the shine. Add a little, stir, check, and add more until you're happy.
- Apply within 24 hours. Once glitter is mixed into the paint, use it within a day for the best result. Apply with a brush or roller as you normally would.
How much glitter should I add?
There's no single fixed ratio – it's about the look you want. For a subtle, catch-it-in-the-light shimmer, start with a small amount. For full-on glam, add more. The simplest approach is to mix a test batch, paint a small patch, let it dry, and decide from there.
Can you mix glitter into grout?
Yes – and it's a popular trick. Stirring a little glitter additive into tile grout gives a delicate sparkle to grout lines in bathrooms, kitchens and tiled feature walls. It's a small detail that makes tiling feel custom and luxurious.
Can you add glitter to varnish?
Absolutely. Mixing the glitter gel into a clear varnish creates a glossy, sparkling topcoat you can apply over an already-painted wall or piece of furniture. It's a great way to add shimmer without changing the base colour underneath.
Tips for the best glitter finish
- Test first. Paint quality affects how visible the sparkle is – always try a test patch before committing to a whole wall.
- Light matters. Glitter finishes come alive in natural and directional light. Consider how the wall is lit before choosing your colour and intensity.
- Don't over-mix. Gentle stirring keeps the glitter particles intact and reflective.
- Work in good time. Mix only what you'll use within 24 hours.
Ready to add some sparkle?
Primacol Glitter Paint Additive is available in gold, silver, rainbow and holographic. Mix it into your favourite paint, varnish or grout and turn a plain surface into a shimmering feature.
