Transforming Spaces: The Power Of Art And Color

Painting is a quick, budget-friendly way to liven up a room and give it a new look. It can brighten small spaces and add warmth to large rooms. Before painting, it is important to prepare the walls by inspecting them for imperfections and repairing any cracks or small holes. When it comes to choosing a colour, it is a good idea to test different shades in the room to see how they look in different lighting conditions. If you want to make a bold statement, consider painting an accent wall or highlighting mouldings in a contrasting shade. For a more subtle update, opt for neutral colours or a monochromatic palette.

Characteristics of livening up a room with a painting

Use bold accent walls

Painting is a quick and budget-friendly way to give a room a new look. If you want to liven up your room with a bold accent wall, there are a few things to consider.

First, decide which wall will be your accent wall. Typically, an accent wall is an interior wall that has no windows or doors, but there are exceptions to this rule. For example, you could use an accent wall to frame a window with an amazing view or French doors. You could also consider the shape of the room. If you have an oblong room, painting the farthest short wall with an accent shade will make the wall appear closer, lending visual correction to the room's shape.

Next, choose a colour. If your room has darker walls, a lighter accent wall will stand out. If your walls are light and airy, a deeper, bolder colour will create a striking contrast. You can also use analogous colours—colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel—for a bold look. For example, a rich purple accent wall with a crisp white wall. If you want to keep your room neutral, a cinnamon brown accent wall can be just as dramatic as a bright red or blue.

Finally, prepare your wall. Remove all furniture and fixtures, and inspect the wall for any imperfections. Fill and repair any holes and cover imperfections with a putty knife and lightweight spackling compound. Allow the compound to dry, and then remove any excess with the putty knife. Once the wall is prepared, you can start painting!

Paint the ceiling

Painting the ceiling is a great way to liven up a room. It can add a touch of warmth and brighten up the space. Here are some tips to help you paint your ceiling:

Preparation:

Before you start painting, it's essential to prepare the room and the ceiling. Remove all furniture from the room, if possible, to avoid any paint spatter or damage. If removing all the furniture is not feasible, cover the remaining pieces with drop cloths or blankets. It is also important to protect windows, doors, and trim with drop cloths or painter's tape.

Next, prep the ceiling by removing any dust, grime, or cobwebs. Paint adheres poorly to a dusty surface. Check the ceiling for any cracks or holes, and repair them with spackle or caulk. Removing ceiling fixtures, such as lights, will make the job easier. Remember to turn off the power to these fixtures at the breaker or fuse box before removing them.

Painting:

When selecting paint, choose a variety formulated explicitly for ceilings. Use a paintbrush to "cut the corners" or paint the edges where the ceiling meets the wall. This technique ensures that the paint covers areas the roller might miss and helps conceal any brush marks.

After cutting in the edges, it's time to roll. Use a paint roller and work in grid-like sections of 3 to 5 square feet each. This helps keep the edges wet and allows you to monitor your progress for an even coat. For smooth ceilings, use a low-nap roller, and for textured ceilings, opt for a roller with a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch nap.

Regularly load the roller with paint from the tray and roll slowly. Begin rolling when the paint cut line is still wet, starting in a corner and working in overlapping rows. Avoid rolling directly over your head, and slightly vary the direction of your rolling to prevent overlap marks.

Additional Tips:

• If you're painting a smooth ceiling, consider sanding it first with drywall sanding paper to create a smooth surface.
• If your ceiling has stains, prime it with a coat of latex paint primer.
• For a textured ceiling, you can use a roller without sanding.
• If you're painting the entire room, start with the ceiling, and you may not need to tape off the walls.
• Allow the paint to dry completely before returning the room to everyday use.

Painting a ceiling can be a challenging task, but with the right tools, preparation, and techniques, you can achieve a professional finish that transforms your space.

Liven up neutral walls with colourful soft furnishings

Neutral walls are a great base for colourful soft furnishings. A neutral colour scheme can create a laid-back, liveable atmosphere, but it can also run the risk of looking too plain or boring. The key to livening up neutral walls is to add pops of colour, interesting shapes, and textures.

One way to do this is by choosing an accent colour. For example, in a grey and white living room, add some complementary green or botanical elements, or a pop of fresh green for spring and burnt orange for autumn. Blush pink also works effortlessly in a neutral living room. You can also use colour to create a specific style, such as using blue and white to create a coastal sense, or blue with weightier brown furnishings for a nautical theme.

Another way to liven up neutral walls is to add patterns and textures. For example, a grey sofa is incredibly versatile and can be paired with cosy cushions, soft rugs, and complementary throws. Dark photo frames, wire lampshades, wood furniture, plush throws, ceramics, and foliage can also be added to a white and grey living room.

If you want to keep your colour scheme very neutral, you can still add interest by mixing cool neutrals, like silvery blues and greys, with warmer browns and tans. You can also create a neutral wall by adding white or grey to the paint. For example, charcoal walls can be paired with sleek chrome sconces, zinc-top tables, and wood furnishings with silvery driftwood finishes.

Add a statement rug

Adding a statement rug is a great way to liven up a room without committing to a full repaint. Rugs can provide a room with texture, pattern, or colour—and sometimes all three in one. Interior designer and founder of Juliettes Interiors, Juliette Thomas, agrees that soft furnishings such as rugs are an easy way to add colour and instantly change the look and feel of a space.

Statement rugs can introduce a block colour or a multitude of hues all at once. For example, a multicoloured area rug can add a bunch of colours at the same time. Alternatively, a rug can be used to introduce a single block colour, which can be a great alternative to painting the walls.

When choosing a rug, consider the current trends. According to Reena Sotropa, founder of Reena Sotropa In House Design, rug trends are moving towards earth tones with the addition of bold textures. Tightly woven low-pile rugs are great for layering, and tone-on-tone patterns created via texture or differing pile heights can provide a clean and simple base. There is also a shift towards the 70s aesthetic, with texture dovetails and the popularity of tribal Moroccan rug styles.

Statement rugs can also be used to anchor the layout of a room. They can be a great way to add a pop of colour to a room with plain white walls. For example, if you have a neutral-coloured sofa, a colourful rug can help to bring the room to life.

Play with lighting and lampshades

Lighting and lampshades can have a significant impact on the atmosphere of a room. When it comes to lighting, consider the following:

• The temperature of your lights can drastically change the feel of a room. Warmer lighting tends to create a more inviting and relaxing atmosphere, while cooler lighting can make a space feel more modern and sleek.
• Different types of lighting fixtures, such as floor lamps, table lamps, or pendant lights, can add interest and style to a room.
• The placement of lighting is also important. Consider using accent lighting to highlight a particular feature, such as a painting, or create a cosy reading nook with a floor lamp and a comfortable chair.

As for lampshades, don't settle for plain and boring shades. Instead, opt for colourful or patterned lampshades that can project their hues around the room and add a fun and unique touch to your space. You can also play with the shape and size of the lampshade to create a statement piece.

Additionally, combining lighting and lampshades with other decorative elements can enhance the overall effect. For example, pairing a table lamp with a colourful lampshade and a coordinating throw pillow or rug can create a cohesive and stylish look.

Frequently asked questions