March 10, 2026
Everything you need to know about low-VOC paints
Design experts at Oak by Design outline how choosing low-VOC paints and natural materials in a home can help reduce indoor emissions.
What are VOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds (or VOCs) are materials that have a high vapour pressure at room temperature. They evaporate naturally from commonly occurring sources such as engineered wood furniture, cleaning agents, solvents, thinners and brush cleaners.
Common indoor VOCs found in these include formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene. According to the NHS, indoor air pollutants can irritate the airways or worsen breathing problems, particularly in rooms with limited airflow.³ Children, older people and those with conditions like asthma may notice the effects more quickly.
What is a low-VOC interior strategy?
A low-VOC interior strategy focuses on selecting materials and finishes that emit fewer VOCs into the air. This often means choosing solid or minimally processed materials, as well as certified low-VOC paints, adhesives and finishes.
Which materials can help reduce indoor VOC levels?
Solid timber rather than composite boards
Certain composite wood products that use synthetic resins as bonding agents (such as MDF) will contain levels of formaldehyde.⁵ Solid hardwood, on the other hand, doesn’t use the same levels of chemical adhesives, meaning it is a safer and more sustainable alternative.
Opting for solid Timber alternatives, such as Oak, is an effective way to reduce VOC levels. Pairing it with a low-VOC oil or hardwax lets the wood breathe, maintaining its natural feel without adding additional chemical-heavy coatings.⁶
Mineral and clay-based finishes
Clay and mineral plasters are typically free from high solvent content found in some synthetic coatings, such as Acrylic and Synthetic Resin.
Unlike traditional plaster walls, which must be painted, clay plaster interior walls do not release any VOCs and can absorb odours and airborne chemicals (such as cleaning chemicals).⁷ Clay plaster surfaces are also hygroscopic (breathable), meaning they can absorb high levels of moisture in areas such as bathrooms.⁸
Water-based paints and adhesives
Many traditional solvent-based paints use organic solvents such as white spirits or turpentine, which have a strong odour, take longer to dry, and also emit higher levels of VOCs.⁹
Water-based paints use water as their solvent, meaning they typically contain lower levels of VOCs. They also take less time to dry than solvent-based paints, produce less odour and are safer for indoor use, particularly in spaces with less ventilation.¹⁰
Bamboo
As bamboo is a grass, not a tree, it won’t produce or emit any formaldehyde or harmful VOCs in its raw form. However, most bamboo panels and flooring products are manufactured using adhesives that may introduce formaldehyde, depending on the resin system used.¹¹
Research suggests that using bamboo panels made with low-emission adhesives, such as soy-based resins, can release lower VOC and formaldehyde levels compared to traditional engineered wood products.¹²
Wool and natural fibres
Untreated wool is naturally low in VOC levels, as it doesn’t rely on the same chemical processing as other synthetic materials, such as nylon.
Studies suggest that wool fibres can adsorb VOCs, including formaldehyde, as these are bound within their fibre structure, rather than re-emitting them into the air.¹³ Further studies show that wool carpet can absorb formaldehyde more rapidly and completely than some synthetic fibres, and may continue to react to airborne pollutants for as long as 30 years.¹⁴
Jamie Winspear, Managing Director at Oak by Design, said:
“When people redecorate, they usually think about colour and style, not what’s in the materials they’re using. Certain paints, finishes and materials contain low to high levels of harmful chemicals that, when used in renovation, can release levels of these chemicals into the air, particularly when a room has just been renovated.”
“While most products meet safety standards, we can help reduce emissions in a space by choosing natural materials or paints and finishes that contain very low or none of these harmful chemicals. Simple choices at the start of a project can make a difference to how a space feels day to day, particularly in areas like bedrooms where we spend a considerable amount of our day.”
