Tired of stark white interiors? Here’s how you can use paint to make your space pop…

Have you ever thought about how we spend all this money, time, and energy to coordinate – or create a beautiful contrast between – our kitchen cabinets and tiles, our bedroom wallpaper and headboard, or our bath and vanity? Sure, when it comes to creating a cohesive scheme, mixing and matching fixtures and furnishings the right way can be instrumental. However, there’s another fun, and possibly easier, way to add character to our rooms, without having to splurge. It all comes down to… paint.

Ever since I started working at KBB, I’ve seen renovators and designers using paint as this powerful tool that allows them to become artists in their own right, adding colour, pattern, and personality to a blank canvas, and completely transforming their interiors in the process.

So, I decided to learn more about all the ingenious ways you, too, can use paint in your own home, to give it new life. Keen to find out more?

1. Colour-drenching

One of the easiest ways to add depth to your scheme is colour-drenching. The trend has been going strong for quite some time now, and it’s no wonder why. 

“Colour drenching continues to prove popular as homeowners paint walls, ceilings, and architectural details in the same, or different shades of the same, colour,” says Anna Hill, brand director and colour consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook. “This is becoming the go-to, especially in homes with lots of architectural detail, to help really highlight and accentuate these details in a sophisticated way.”

However, this year’s colour-drenching is all about softer shades, Helen Shaw, director of marketing (international) at Benjamin Moore, notes. “It is all about using quietly colourful hues. This shift from the saturated colour story seen in previous years [think deep blues, greens, or purples] focuses on a more subtle and comforting take on colour – one that has presence without distraction.” 

Helen also advises to subtly match your wall colours to your chosen fabrics in curtains, bedding, and headboards, to ensure the scheme feels tied together. 

2. Colour-blocking

Colour-blocking, meaning using contrasting blocks of solid colours to create interest, is also ideal if you want to define specific areas within your space. “For example, in a kitchen, painting the lower cabinets in a deep, contrasting shade, while keeping upper cabinets light, can add depth and interest without overwhelming the space,” says Stuart Murray, founder of Retrovintage.

“This technique helps zone areas visually, making the room feel more dynamic and tailored without complicated decorating,” he continues.

Don’t be constrained by ‘painting within the lines’, either, suggests Andy Greenall, head of design at Paint & Paper Library: “Rather than letting architectural features guide you, simply zone a space by taking your colour block across a door, panelling, or window frame.”

Clashing colours can indeed work in your favour, especially if a maximalist scheme is what you’re after. “Instead of sticking to a strict colour scheme of one-to-three complementary colours, consider mixing bold hues with intention, then use neutrals to anchor them, and let each colour have its moment to shine,” advises Melissa Denman, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture.

For a playful touch, consider using colour-blocking to make a feature of your skirting boards. “Elongate skirting boards by using the same colour on woodwork and the lower half of the wall. This type of colour blocking creates contrast and adds a focal point in place of architectural features,” says Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene.

3. Panelling and half walls

Regarding your walls, painted panelling is a very practical and low-maintenance option. “It will protect your walls from everyday wear and tear, but will also add architectural detail to elevate your space,” says Ruth. “If you’re looking to add wallpaper to a hallway or high-traffic area, taking panelling half way up the wall is a practical solution which also creates a platform for colour.”

Emma Bestley, co-founder and creative director of YesColours, also suggests opting for a darker colour on the lower half of the walls to create a grounding atmosphere, and a lighter colour on the upper area and ceiling, to add height and create a feeling of space. 

The finish you choose can influence the overall atmosphere of the room, too, says Ruth: “A gloss finish will give a sophisticated high-sheen appearance, whilst an eggshell finish with its low-sheen level will provide a subtle elegance.”

At the same time, painting your panelling in a different colour from the walls and ceiling will help create visual contrast. “By introducing a layered effect that breaks up large expanses of wall, you can really bring a dynamic and tailored look to the space,” says Anna.

“You can really experiment; whether you choose moody, jewel tones, dramatically dark shades, or opt for bright and playful hues,” continues Anna. “By leaving the walls more neutral, you can still keep a sense of balance and avoid the space feeling too dark or cavernous.”

Also, how about introducing a bold accent wall behind your bath to break up a neutral palette? Or painting exposed brickwork for added texture and rustic charm?

4. Painted architectural details

This is where it gets interesting. When it comes to the little things, even the smallest feature can be accentuated with paint. And nothing really is off limits.

You can play with fun patterns such as stripes, checkerboard and scalloped edges to create zones within a room, paint a tile-effect splashback in the kitchen, or the backs of shelves and cabinetry interiors. Or you can use different colours for doors and window frames, paint architraves and cornicing to make them pop, or even introduce stencils and drawings for a personal touch.

“Remember when hand-painting, patterns can be scaled accordingly to suit your chosen room,” says Emma Bestley, co-founder and creative director of YesColours. “Stencils or freehand drawings such as whimsical florals, stripes, or subtle patterns can completely transform a wardrobe, for example, or you can try a bold shade around the shoe or coat rack area, or an energising splash of colour in your home office.”

Outline a door frame by painting it in a vibrant colour, suggests Ruth, or use darker bands of primary colours in differing widths to create drama in rooms with high ceilings. 

“Painting the banisters of a staircase is also an easy way to showcase your personality and instantly refresh the space,” suggests Bailey Williams, colour expert at Earthborn. “Opt for a subtle colour that ties in with the rest of your scheme, go for something bright that draws the eye up or for practicality, or choose a darker shade that is great at hiding everyday scruffs and marks.”

Why not create a painted frame effect for more depth, too? “This look is easily created by leaving a white border on the edge of your walls, with your chosen colour sitting as a block in the middle,” says Anna. “It’s a great way to balance darker or bolder colours with the border adding softness, and it can also help to create the illusion of space by making the ceilings feel higher.”

Painting your floorboards is also great for extending the life of your wooden flooring, but it can also make room for extra creativity. “However, it’s important to note that painting floorboards shouldn’t be viewed as a temporary fix or trend-led décor update – you could change a painted floor by re-painting it but it’s very difficult to go back to the original wood grain after painting,” explains Alex Heslop, trend expert at Flooring Superstore.

5. Statement ceilings

Speaking of ceilings, how about turning your attention upwards to give your fifth wall a stylish makeover? “Painted ceilings are a brilliant trick,” says Tash Bradley, director of interior design at Lick. “It can completely change the mood of a room and is especially powerful when paired with warm, complementary whites on the walls to soften the contrast between walls and ceiling.”

Bailey agrees and says, “To introduce a touch of colour without being overly distracting, try painting your ceiling. This offers a unique opportunity to infuse the room with subtle hues that enhance the perception of space while maintaining a harmonious atmosphere.”

6. Painted cabinetry, baths, and furniture

A hand-painted finish is the unsung hero of kitchen design, Sebastian Aronowitz, founder of The London Kitchen Company, tells me. “It adds an extra level of character, especially on natural materials. Homeowners often tell me they don’t want a kitchen that ‘looks plastic’, so I always recommend a hand-painted finish to give a little more human connection to the space,” he explains.

It’s all part of embracing inconsistencies and subtle nuances that will ultimately make your cabinetry feel more authentic and personal to you – especially when wood is involved.

“With a paintbrush, the strokes can follow the natural grain of the wood and allow the paint to get into intricate nooks, creating a beautiful, natural-looking finish,” continues Sebastian. 

He also recommends earthy hues for a sense of calm, pale, pastel shades for a refreshing palette, and bright bold colours for a burst of fun.

But why not paint entire pieces of furniture, too – think fitted wardrobes or antique chests of drawers – to introduce more character and truly make them your own? “When redecorating, sprucing up your wardrobes with a touch of paint is no exception, whether you’re simply covering up a few scuffs or going for a whole new look,” says Emma.

Anouska Tamony, founder and creative director of Anouska Tamony Interiors, suggests working with a talented decorative artist, too, to add intricate detailing to either freestanding or built-in furniture.

Finally, consider giving your bath the paint makeover. “Painted baths create so many options; they can be used to add a pop of colour that is different to the rest of the scheme, or can be in keeping, such as one painted in black in a monochrome designed bathroom,” says Keeley Sutcliffe, design manager at BC Designs. “By painting your bath, it instantly draws your eyes in and makes you really focus in on the bath.”

Kerry Hale, shower expert at Mira Showers, agrees and suggests choosing a bright colour, like green or yellow, for maximum impact. “This will create a fun focal point,” she says. “But leave the bathroom walls neutral. White paint offers a crisp look, or, for something a little different, why not paint the walls grey?”

And make sure you buy the right paint for your tub, which is exterior eggshell paint, as this works well in areas of a lot of water and humidity, advises Keeley.

Whichever way you decide to go about it, paint is bound to transform your interiors. So grab your paintbrush and let your inner Picasso shine! (Or, don’t be afraid to hire a professional painter if paintbrushes and palettes are really not your thing.)

Enjoyed this post? Click here to discover the power of magical patterns and bold colours in interior design

About Post Author