When it comes to redecorating, it pays to think outside the box. Let your mind wander beyond pretty colors and instead think about how you want your space to transform into your dream vision.
There are truly countless potential visual effects that can be achieved using rustic paint cans. With willpower and a free weekend, many painting ideas are within your reach. All you need is the right inspiration. So, to take your painting projects to the next level, we spoke to top interior designers about the most creative uses for paint and how you can use it to completely transform your space.
How 7 designers use paint to upgrade a room
Whether you simply want to add decorative details or change the material or shape of your walls, using paint wisely can have a big impact. We spoke to seven top interior designers about why it’s worth considering more than just a beautiful backdrop.
1. Express your inner artist
(Image credit: Molly Mahon)
As technology permeates our lives, there is a growing desire to incorporate handmade elements into our homes. Creative thinkers can pick up a brush and apply effects to any surface.
Textile designer Molly Mahon, who painted this design around the fireplace in her East Sussex home, says: ‘From painted edges to beautiful details and trompe l’oeil effects, there are lots of creative applications for paint around the house. There is,” he says. “Hand-painted elements bring an authentic, artisanal, human touch to interiors, as do hand-block printed fabrics and wallpapers.”
2.Paint the panel
(Image credit: Keling Designs)
Paint effects were an inexpensive way to add movement to a space without having to hang wallpaper. That has changed now. Decorative painters can create bespoke finishes that can not only transform a room, but also set the tone and texture of a space, says Emma Deterding, founder of Kering Designs.
“They are color wizards and can see and combine different shades within an effect, which is something very distinctive and unique.” The project is from her showroom in West London . She created a wall panel look from a plain wall.
3. Create a linen-style wall
(Image credit: Alexander James)
Paint effects, especially when applied using professional skills, add depth and elegance to a room. This is especially true of faux linen technology. It was popular in the 1980s and early 1990s, when wallpaper began to fall out of favor, and is making a comeback.
Decorative artist Huey Turner was commissioned by interior designer John McCall to paint the walls of this London bedroom in a linen-like finish. He describes this as his signature. “They range from pale and elegant to something a little deeper and textured,” he says.
4. Use accent colors to separate “zones”
(Image credit: Paul Massey)
In many terraced houses, the wall between the two reception rooms on the ground floor is removed to create one large area. It also provides a zoning opportunity to create a subtle line of demarcation between two spaces, as interior designer Susie Foedres demonstrates here.
“We chose a bright yellow paint to emphasize the traditional details, and we love that the effect is very contemporary,” says Susie. “Painting the architrave in a contrasting color (a little green trumpet) and keeping the other walls and shelves in muted tones gives the open-plan space more structure, while adding a variety of elements to break up the space a bit. ‘ indicates the zone.
5. Decorate woodwork with rich colors
(Image credit: Neptune)
Choosing a discreet shade to paint your woodwork creates a sophisticated look that carries through to the next room as an accent. Neptune’s team used Barnum Red on the front door and walls, followed by a contrasting putty-like neutral color called Driftwood on the living room walls. I chose a cream white to prevent the cornice from fading into red.
6. Create a decorative window frame
(Image credit: Christopher Horwood)
The idea of drawing a frame around a window is so simple, it’s a wonder it hasn’t been copied more times.
“Kitchen sinks have a reputation for being the definition of mundane, so we thought why not make this space interesting? If you can’t avoid doing the dishes, at least you can do something beautiful while doing them. “So that you can see it,” said James Arcoulis and Saskia Howard of Howar Design, who painted the surroundings.
7. Use paint to create an interesting look like a plaster statue
(Image credit: James McDonald)
Decorative plasterwork such as coving and cornicing is used to add architectural interest to a space, but paint tricks work just as well, as Kate Guinness demonstrated in this bathroom . She added neat parallel stripes just below the ceiling.
To bring out the details, the decorator placed masking tape on the wall at appropriate intervals so that he could paint in straight lines around the room, then painted in the spaces between the tapes.
Next time you redecorate, take some time to think about how you want your space to change. With some clever techniques, you can get more than just a color refresh with just one coat of paint.
Consider borders, panels, textures, hand-painted decorative details, accents, and zoning effects. It’s cheaper than redesigning the internal structure of a space, but the results can be just as transformative.
