Decorating: Get Clever with Colour for Walls with Extra Wow!
Forget the feature wall and try out some of these new, unusual ways to add a splash of statement colour to your walls
Joanna Thornhill
3 June 2014
Colour can do so much more for our walls than simply dress them in a single hue. When used imaginatively, it can totally redefine a space. From strategically placed stripes, to pops of bright where you least expect them, think creatively next time you set about decorating your walls. There is a way to make colour work cleverly in every room of your home, as these striking designs demonstrate.
Create a wraparound design Why stop at the door? Carry on the fun when painting and continue your colour or pattern onto doors and woodwork. This works particularly well for flat, featureless doors and helps to blend them into the background, creating a secret entry effect.
Chalk it up
Chalkboard walls are always popular in today’s busy kitchens. By using chalk in different shades, they allow you to effortlessly add colour, with the blackboard simply acting as a neutral foil. Gather up a stack of rainbow-coloured chalks and rope in the whole family to get creative.
Explore 10 chalkboard ideas
Chalkboard walls are always popular in today’s busy kitchens. By using chalk in different shades, they allow you to effortlessly add colour, with the blackboard simply acting as a neutral foil. Gather up a stack of rainbow-coloured chalks and rope in the whole family to get creative.
Explore 10 chalkboard ideas
Be bold with brights
A vibrant emerald shower enclosure adds impact in an otherwise simple bathroom. By keeping the rest of the room minimally dressed in a calming white, both the green wall and the orange taps can take centre stage.
See 9 ways to be brave with colour
A vibrant emerald shower enclosure adds impact in an otherwise simple bathroom. By keeping the rest of the room minimally dressed in a calming white, both the green wall and the orange taps can take centre stage.
See 9 ways to be brave with colour
Add some ombre
Add interest to a wall of tiles by creating a two-tone ombre effect. It is easy to create with mesh-backed mosaic sheets. Simply cut a few up and play around with the look on the floor before beginning to tile. If you are feeling adventurous, add a third band of colour in the middle.
Add interest to a wall of tiles by creating a two-tone ombre effect. It is easy to create with mesh-backed mosaic sheets. Simply cut a few up and play around with the look on the floor before beginning to tile. If you are feeling adventurous, add a third band of colour in the middle.
Blur the boundaries
As well as using painted stripes to define a space, you can use them to disguise its edges, too. Here, the alcoves and curved walls are united by the perfect lines wrapping them, with a touch of chaotic fun created by the reflections in the mirror.
As well as using painted stripes to define a space, you can use them to disguise its edges, too. Here, the alcoves and curved walls are united by the perfect lines wrapping them, with a touch of chaotic fun created by the reflections in the mirror.
Ditch the white backdrop
This smart, neutral room, whilst subtle in tone, cleverly allows the walls to act as a foil to the furniture, fireplace and shelving. By allowing the white accents to pop out of the space, rather than opting for white walls and coloured fittings, it looks original and striking.
This smart, neutral room, whilst subtle in tone, cleverly allows the walls to act as a foil to the furniture, fireplace and shelving. By allowing the white accents to pop out of the space, rather than opting for white walls and coloured fittings, it looks original and striking.
Match tops and tails
Add colour in unexpected places, such as the ceiling. As well as picking up on the black flooring, table and door in this classic hallway, the black painted ceiling ties the look together visually from head to toe. The dark paintwork also serves to highlight the stunning cornicing.
Add colour in unexpected places, such as the ceiling. As well as picking up on the black flooring, table and door in this classic hallway, the black painted ceiling ties the look together visually from head to toe. The dark paintwork also serves to highlight the stunning cornicing.
Try bright on dark
Designer Abigail Ahern is the queen of dark, sludgy hues, but in her home she stops her almost-black hallway feeling austere with fun, macabre accessories and artworks in bright hues. The dark background allows the bright accents to sing out more dramatically than if they were set against a white wall.
Designer Abigail Ahern is the queen of dark, sludgy hues, but in her home she stops her almost-black hallway feeling austere with fun, macabre accessories and artworks in bright hues. The dark background allows the bright accents to sing out more dramatically than if they were set against a white wall.
Define your space with colour A bold move forward from the feature wall, the use of colour in this daring yet simple scheme works to full effect by highlighting the functional side of this kitchen space. It literally frames it with a feature shade.
TELL US...
How do you use colours on your wall? Share your tips in the Comments below.
TELL US...
How do you use colours on your wall? Share your tips in the Comments below.
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Lovely article, thank you Joanna for the informative and creative piece!