Designing With Contrasting Paint Tools

If you have been painting interior rooms for a while you may want to mix things up and get creative by adding design elements. There are a number of ways to go about this, from painting one wall in an accent color, to smudging to adding geometric shapes. You can even paint old furniture in bold colors to match an opposing accent wall, thereby tying design elements together. Without a doubt, by using “color as a design tool’, vibrant shades can actually serve as paint tools to enliven a room. Whichever idea you select from the options suggested below, you will need to prepare properly with appropriate paint supplies, including color samples from the store, and other paint accessories before you begin.

Contemporary Idea #1: Contrasting Walls

Couple resting in partially painted roomMore and more homeowners are using color as design paint tools that effectively add drama and intrigue to a bedroom, living room or study. By painting 3 (or some prefer 2) walls with a relatively neutral color, you can ‘go bold’ with a strong, deep shade that makes the room come alive. For some, that bold color might be deep chartreuse. For others, it may be a rich maroon or royal purple.

To help select what color is right for you, we recommend a trip to the paint store to obtain guidance. If you decide to paint a contrasting well, we further suggest you take some paint samples home and brush color swatches on the walls to further assist you in your ultimate decision.

Contemporary Idea #2: The Stripe, Circle Or Block

If an entire wall in a contrasting color is not your style, you may choose to add geometric shapes in certain areas to add design elements to a room. Some people may like bold vertical stripes to create an illusion of raising a ceiling, for example, while others may paint horizontal stripes on all 4 walls, creating a faux wainscoting effect. Stripes can be either wide or narrow or you could even paint a stripe series, using alternating colors for effect.

Another option for using color as a design tool is to paint blocks or circles on one wall, or opposing walls. These can be particularly fun when painted in children’s bedrooms or playrooms. You can either settle on one shape painted in bold color accents on a muted background or use several geometric shapes in alternating colors.

Contemporary Idea #3: Colorful Furniture As Accents

Yet another color idea designed to enliven a room is to paint old furniture such as a chest of drawers or old desk in an accent shade. This can be done in combination with an accent wall in the same shade as the furniture. Some individuals paint only the furniture and no accent wall, which will serve as the major design element set against muted walls. Whichever style you choose to accent a room, as an intermediate painter you will be developing a talent using color to create a lively, energized home environment.