20+ creative ways to use paint around your home
A recent poll found that many of us have been undertaking previously overlooked DIY tasks in our homes and more money has been spent in the last 5 months on our home decor, given that we spend so much time indoors.
If you want to get your home ready for winter and you're looking for a creative way to add colour in your room, then have a look at these examples of how to transform your home with just paint.
1. Scallop effect around the door frame
French Interior Designer Pierre Yovanovich gave us yellow scallop effect door frames and since then the interiors enthusiasts have been going crazy for the trend.
We love the fluid, free-hand effect but if you are all about proportions then you will need more than a steady hand and a plate to mark your circles with a pencil first. Check how At Home with Ashley painted her scalloped door.
2. Scallop effect close to the ceiling
If your home is blessed with high ceilings, you will want to try this. Why stop around the door frame when you can create the scallop effect all around your home as Studio 2LG have so cleverly done during lockdown ?
3. Paint the wall and door in the same colour
Not one for the faint hearted ! We recommend you use a visualizer app (Dulux have a reliable app that is free to use) before trying this paint trick in your home.
The results when you do end up painting your door and walls in the same colour ? Sophistication, minimalism and making your room feel a lot bigger.
4. Paint the inside of the door arch/ frame in a bold colour
We can think of nothing better than a neon coloured painted inside of a door frame or arch. This clever way to enforce separation of rooms works where there is no door altogether and can make the space feel very contemporary.
5. Paint the ceiling of a long corridor in a different colour
Somehow this blue door looks mighty sinister in its dark colour, but fear not. This paint trick just draws the eye to end of the corridor and creates interest while the rest of the crisp white doors let the light in.
6. Paint part of the corridor in a different colour
if you want to add a splash of colour and you want more than your door to be highlighted, you can paint part of the corridor in a bold hue while leaving the rest of it in a contrasting colour or plain white.
7. Colour block around the room
Colour blocking can have a tremendous effect in your room, but must be used sparingly to avoid overwhelming you and your home guests.
If the house is already over-furnished, you may only want to use colour blocking to create flow between rooms. It can also serve as an alternative to adding lots of art on your walls.
8. Use paint to connect spaces
You can also create flow by painting the inside of a door frame in a colour used in the next room.
9. Paint stripes on the ceiling
This paint effect will require strong hands and patience. We recommend you get a professional in. Lots of decorators paint will also be needed (always get the best or paint will bleed through it).
10. Paint arches
Painted arches is fast becoming another trend. A steady hand is also needed for this rather simple paint trick.
To define your arch, tie a long piece of string around a pencil and define where the middle of the diameter of your 'circle' will be.
Nail the string to the centre of the circle and then draw the upper half of it.You will need to paint with a small brush close to the edge before filling in with paint in the inner part of the arch.
11. Paint the inside of an awkward nook in a different color
This could be a walk-in wardrobe, a nook for reading or even a pantry space that you can see through from your kitchen. Whatever the space, if it is small and seems to be serving a different purpose to the rest of the room, then you can define it with some paint !
Project by BO6
12. Separate two adjoining areas in open plan with a painted line
13. Paint half height around a room
Tip: Always use the darker colour to the bottom part of the wall.
Image Credit
14. Paint geometric shapes close to the door
A bold yellow rectangle or arch close to the door is better than an EXIT sign. No one can miss it!
Image credit: BANYAN BRIDGES
15. Paint the ceiling in a different colour
And these are 15+ of the most beautifully painted ceilings we have ever seen.
Image: Source
16. Paint part of a wall and ceiling in a different colour
This trick works in larger rooms where you want to frame a smaller area and 'separate' it from the rest of the space. For example, create a dining space or reading nook corner.
17. Create a lamp light effect
This fun and creative way to add colour in your room works well on its own (painting just the wall) or you can also include furniture which can be fully or part painted for added wow factor.
18. Make your working space a little more fun
Who says that working from home and looking at the wall in front should be boring? Add a splash of colour to make your remote working just a little bit more exciting !
19. Turn your focus on window frames
If you want to draw the eye towards the outdoors, why not highlight the window frames or the recess with a bold, neon like colour?
Read More: USING YELLOW THE SMART WAY
Image: Frenchy Fancy
20. Paint the inside of a closet
Painting the inside of a closet can seem like a fun thing to do, but remember that you will still need to be able to find things. The darker colour you paint the closet, the harder it will be to find things in there!
Source: Casa Vogue (LEFT) | 2LG Studio, Perry Rise House (RIGHT)
21. Paint stripes on the floor too
If your floors are solid wood and you're looking to repaint them, then this creative effect can help you divide spaces and add character too.
Image: Stripe painted in Hellebore by Little Greene
22. Go for an ombre effect
This super simple paint technique is perfect for beginners. This HOW TO from Crown Paints will help you achieve the dip dye effect on your walls.
Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014 and the luxury interior design blog All The Pretty Homes in 2024. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.
