Very few people think of interior painting as fun. That’s one reason why it’s a good idea to hire a professional service to do it for you. When someone else is doing all the hard work, it leaves you free to be creative and find new and unique ways to beautify your home. Get inspired by the six great interior painting ideas below.
Complementary Colors
The technique of using complementary colors is seen every day in clothing, packaging, and furniture design. Of course, it’s also a classic idea for interior painting. You can use colors in the same family, but avoid choosing hues that are too similar. For example, a dark forest green would go well with a very light green, but not a bright Kelly green.
Contrasting Colors
In the same vein, contrasting colors can be used as an attractive scheme. Again, you will want to refrain from using colors that are too similar to each other. Try something like navy blue and bright white, or a deep, golden yellow with a bright sky blue. Naturally, if you want to make a small room appear larger, use the brighter color on the walls and the darker one for trim or accents.
Stencils
Stencils aren’t just for kids’ rooms anymore! While the timeless method of using stencils of building blocks, trains, and castles is fine for a nursery, stencils can also be effectively used throughout your home. Ivy vines are a popular choice for bathrooms or kitchens and flowers are also a perennial favorite. When employing stencils in large rooms like living rooms, dining rooms, and master bedrooms, choose a dark base paint and brighter colors for the stenciling. Good choices are metallic gold stencils on a dark purple or aubergine background or a medium green stencil on a dark blue field.
Chevron Stripes
It may seem odd, but chevrons can be used attractively in larger rooms. There are a few rules to keep in mind, though. First, make sure to use strongly contrasting colors, a dark and a light. Next, make the chevrons rather large, at least a couple of feet in length. If you make the pattern too small it will have a disorienting effect on the eye and be unpleasant to view.
Effects Using Molding
If you have rooms like a dining room or living area with spectacular molding, enhance that molding with painting effects. It will bring out the trim and make the room look brighter. One such technique is to paint the walls with a flat paint, then use the exact same paint, but in a 50 percent gloss, on the trim and molding. This really makes the room pop and gives it an elegant look.
Solid Canvas Squares
See a paint color you absolutely love but don’t think it would look good covering the entire walls of a room? Use decorative canvas squares instead! Simply take an artist’s canvas and paint it solid in your favorite shade. You can then hang these as decorative pieces throughout your home. They’ll bring in some nice color and variety.