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Pep Up Your Space With These Fun Paint Effects
From crackle and shimmer to glow in the dark, it's time to get creative!
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If you thought that choosing the colour for your walls was the biggest decision you’d make when it comes to paint, then think again! There are so many fabulous paint finishes on the market now that can help you create an entirely different look for your home, inside and out – plus, many of them have some invaluable features, such as creating a surface for you to write on, store things on and even light up spaces with a glow-at-night finish.
Whether it’s a modern ombre design, a chalkboard for your family to doodle on, or a crackled look for an antique finish, you’re spoilt for choice – and deciding which paint finish to pick just adds to the fun. The best part is that with little cost you can achieve big results. Read on to see the looks we’re loving and how they can help to totally transform your space…
Whether it’s a modern ombre design, a chalkboard for your family to doodle on, or a crackled look for an antique finish, you’re spoilt for choice – and deciding which paint finish to pick just adds to the fun. The best part is that with little cost you can achieve big results. Read on to see the looks we’re loving and how they can help to totally transform your space…
FX Metallics and FX Paint Effects Medium, all Resene.
1. Work in a Washed Effect
Natural walls are big news at the moment, especially with the trend for our interiors to be a little more rustic and ‘perfectly imperfect’. Before you rush out to buy concrete panels or get your walls replastered, however, have a look at this easy paint effect that offers you that ‘unfinished’ appearance, without all the hassle – or the cost!
Using a special-effect product, apply the paint in strips of horizontal colour over a base coat, then brush over it with a large wet paint or wallpaper brush. You could also carry the washed effect on to timber floors to complete the look.
Prep tip: It’s best to work on a sample area first, as the end result depends not only on the colour chosen, but also on your technique – so it’s wise to make sure you’re happy with the style of your brushstrokes before applying to the walls.
1. Work in a Washed Effect
Natural walls are big news at the moment, especially with the trend for our interiors to be a little more rustic and ‘perfectly imperfect’. Before you rush out to buy concrete panels or get your walls replastered, however, have a look at this easy paint effect that offers you that ‘unfinished’ appearance, without all the hassle – or the cost!
Using a special-effect product, apply the paint in strips of horizontal colour over a base coat, then brush over it with a large wet paint or wallpaper brush. You could also carry the washed effect on to timber floors to complete the look.
Prep tip: It’s best to work on a sample area first, as the end result depends not only on the colour chosen, but also on your technique – so it’s wise to make sure you’re happy with the style of your brushstrokes before applying to the walls.
FX Faux Rust Effect, Resene.
2. Create an Aged Look
Whether you’re a fan of vintage interiors or simply want to make a part of your home look a little more lived-in, adding a rustic effect to your walls or furniture will add character and help to produce an aged, weathered look.
It’s a quick and easy way to recreate the look of weathering on surfaces such as furniture or walls. Start by applying two coats of Resene FX Faux Rust Effect Basecoat, followed by two coats of Resene FX Faux Rust Effect Activator to set off the ageing effect. The more activator you apply, the more impressive the rust effect!
Prep tip: Make sure you use the paint effect on an area that won’t be touched or disturbed, as it will continue to develop as the coating ages, for an even more authentic finish.
2. Create an Aged Look
Whether you’re a fan of vintage interiors or simply want to make a part of your home look a little more lived-in, adding a rustic effect to your walls or furniture will add character and help to produce an aged, weathered look.
It’s a quick and easy way to recreate the look of weathering on surfaces such as furniture or walls. Start by applying two coats of Resene FX Faux Rust Effect Basecoat, followed by two coats of Resene FX Faux Rust Effect Activator to set off the ageing effect. The more activator you apply, the more impressive the rust effect!
Prep tip: Make sure you use the paint effect on an area that won’t be touched or disturbed, as it will continue to develop as the coating ages, for an even more authentic finish.
Wall: Atlas and Zinzan; fireplace mantel: Avenger; floor: Colorwood Greywash, all Resene.
3. Choose a Crackle Finish
Painting tired old furniture and accessories to make them look old might sound crazy, but it’s an easy way to give them a beautifully antiqued finish.
It’s easier than you think, too. Simply apply a crackle-effect paint finish, along with an acrylic topcoat, to achieve the desired effect. Once applied, the crackle finish will shrink, causing the top coat to crack and reveal the base coat colour underneath. Quick, easy and totally fuss-free!
Prep tip: A thick coat of your crackle-effect paint finish will result in fewer larger, deeper cracks, while a thin coat will give smaller, shallower cracks – there’s no right or wrong, it’s down to personal preference.
3. Choose a Crackle Finish
Painting tired old furniture and accessories to make them look old might sound crazy, but it’s an easy way to give them a beautifully antiqued finish.
It’s easier than you think, too. Simply apply a crackle-effect paint finish, along with an acrylic topcoat, to achieve the desired effect. Once applied, the crackle finish will shrink, causing the top coat to crack and reveal the base coat colour underneath. Quick, easy and totally fuss-free!
Prep tip: A thick coat of your crackle-effect paint finish will result in fewer larger, deeper cracks, while a thin coat will give smaller, shallower cracks – there’s no right or wrong, it’s down to personal preference.
Table: randomly base coated in Trouble, Sumptuous, Energise, then painted with FX Crackle Effect and topcoated in Nero, all Resene.
Kidman with Resene FX Pearl Shimmer, all Resene.
4. Shimmer in Style
If you like your interior to be pretty and feminine then you’re not going to be able to resist this pearl shimmer paint effect. Having a delicate glaze on the walls will add a soft shimmer to even the dullest of rooms and it’s a great way of being experimental with paint while keeping the effect subtle and stylish.
This effect looks great used in all different places in your home, from the bedroom to your kitchen, skirting to window frames – and you can even use it outside, too. All you need is a shimmering metallic paint shade and a base coat that is tinted to your selected colour – voila! Shimmer and shine at the touch of a brush.
Style tip: Why not ramp up the feminine feel by adding accessories in iridescent, mirrored or glass finishes for extra sparkle?
4. Shimmer in Style
If you like your interior to be pretty and feminine then you’re not going to be able to resist this pearl shimmer paint effect. Having a delicate glaze on the walls will add a soft shimmer to even the dullest of rooms and it’s a great way of being experimental with paint while keeping the effect subtle and stylish.
This effect looks great used in all different places in your home, from the bedroom to your kitchen, skirting to window frames – and you can even use it outside, too. All you need is a shimmering metallic paint shade and a base coat that is tinted to your selected colour – voila! Shimmer and shine at the touch of a brush.
Style tip: Why not ramp up the feminine feel by adding accessories in iridescent, mirrored or glass finishes for extra sparkle?
FX Blackboard Paint over FX Magnetic Magic with Limerick, Smiles and Dreamer, all Resene.
5. Treat Your Walls Like a Chalkboard
Whether it’s for the kids to doodle on, or for you to write the shopping list, blackboards and chalkboards are great fun. Go for the traditional low-sheen black finish, or choose a coloured design for a brighter look.
If you don’t want to dedicate a whole wall to a blackboard, why not try painting an alcove, some drawer fronts, or even a door? It’s a great way to enable your family to get creative and encourage some sketching and writing – who knows, you might discover a new talent for doodling!
Style tip: Why not paint a chalkboard area on a wall by a drinks trolley to list a few cocktails, or in a hallway so that guests can leave a message before they leave?
5. Treat Your Walls Like a Chalkboard
Whether it’s for the kids to doodle on, or for you to write the shopping list, blackboards and chalkboards are great fun. Go for the traditional low-sheen black finish, or choose a coloured design for a brighter look.
If you don’t want to dedicate a whole wall to a blackboard, why not try painting an alcove, some drawer fronts, or even a door? It’s a great way to enable your family to get creative and encourage some sketching and writing – who knows, you might discover a new talent for doodling!
Style tip: Why not paint a chalkboard area on a wall by a drinks trolley to list a few cocktails, or in a hallway so that guests can leave a message before they leave?
Feature wall in Wham over Magnetic Magic, with Alabaster, all Resene.
7. Make it Magnetic!
Up the fun factor, by giving your walls a magnetic finish. Simply paint on a magnetic paint base coat and then overcoat it with your normal top coat for a magnetic wall.
Use it for children to play games, with letters, words or even noughts-and-crosses. It also gives them the chance to display photos and posters without the need for any pin holes in the walls – and they’ll be able to move them around easily too, without any hassle.
Or, why not use it in a home office, so you can keep important notes or leaflets close to hand where you need to see them? Alternatively, pop magnets onto the back of jars and use it as storage for all your herbs and spices in the kitchen. The options are endless!
Style tip: Make sure the magnets you use to attach any heavy items are high quality, so they stay put and don’t slip down.
7. Make it Magnetic!
Up the fun factor, by giving your walls a magnetic finish. Simply paint on a magnetic paint base coat and then overcoat it with your normal top coat for a magnetic wall.
Use it for children to play games, with letters, words or even noughts-and-crosses. It also gives them the chance to display photos and posters without the need for any pin holes in the walls – and they’ll be able to move them around easily too, without any hassle.
Or, why not use it in a home office, so you can keep important notes or leaflets close to hand where you need to see them? Alternatively, pop magnets onto the back of jars and use it as storage for all your herbs and spices in the kitchen. The options are endless!
Style tip: Make sure the magnets you use to attach any heavy items are high quality, so they stay put and don’t slip down.
SpaceCote Low Sheen, Cosmos, Cornflower and New York Pink, all Resene.
8. Fall in Love With Ombre
We’ve seen ombre effects surging in popularity, with hair colour, nails and interiors too. If you’re not familiar with this effect, it’s where a chosen colour blends into another, graduating from light to dark.
The trick to getting this look right is to paint your wall using Resene FX Paint Effects Medium first, as it makes blending your paint colours much easier. Next, paint your wall in your first chosen colour and leave to dry, before applying a second colour to the bottom of the wall. On a separate tray (or tin), mix the two colours together and apply the mixed paint to the middle section of the wall, where the two colours meet. Carefully blend them together using a brush or roller until you’re happy with how it looks.
Style tip: Instead of using this effect on just one wall, why not carry it around onto a second wall, or across a door, too?
8. Fall in Love With Ombre
We’ve seen ombre effects surging in popularity, with hair colour, nails and interiors too. If you’re not familiar with this effect, it’s where a chosen colour blends into another, graduating from light to dark.
The trick to getting this look right is to paint your wall using Resene FX Paint Effects Medium first, as it makes blending your paint colours much easier. Next, paint your wall in your first chosen colour and leave to dry, before applying a second colour to the bottom of the wall. On a separate tray (or tin), mix the two colours together and apply the mixed paint to the middle section of the wall, where the two colours meet. Carefully blend them together using a brush or roller until you’re happy with how it looks.
Style tip: Instead of using this effect on just one wall, why not carry it around onto a second wall, or across a door, too?
Alabaster, Sunshade, Juniper and Blue Lagoon with FX Nightlight, all Resene.
9. Glowing Results
Go for a glow-in-the-dark effect that’s set to shine long after the lights have gone out. Children will love it, whether you paint stars across the ceiling of their bedroom or a design on their walls, but there are also other ways to use it too.
Why not paint pebbles to line your garden pathways, or add the effect to the edge of steps where safety can be an issue? You could also use it to paint furniture for some colourful night-time seating, or a sign that only glows up at night.
Prep tip: Apply two to three coats of glow-in-the-dark paint over a white base coat -– it’s a pale yellow shade during the day but glows luminous at night.
9. Glowing Results
Go for a glow-in-the-dark effect that’s set to shine long after the lights have gone out. Children will love it, whether you paint stars across the ceiling of their bedroom or a design on their walls, but there are also other ways to use it too.
Why not paint pebbles to line your garden pathways, or add the effect to the edge of steps where safety can be an issue? You could also use it to paint furniture for some colourful night-time seating, or a sign that only glows up at night.
Prep tip: Apply two to three coats of glow-in-the-dark paint over a white base coat -– it’s a pale yellow shade during the day but glows luminous at night.
Spotlight with FX Write-on Wall Paint, all Resene.
10. Write-on!
Fancy turning your walls into surfaces where you can use whiteboard markers without damaging the walls? Then you’ll love the write-on wall paint that allows you to do exactly that.
It’s a great option for home offices and playrooms, where you can scribble notes or homework, or in your kitchen for you to add reminders, and you can simply wipe it off using a whiteboard eraser or soft cloth when you no longer need it.
It doesn’t mean you have to have your walls white either – because the write-on wall paint is clear it can be used over your current wall decor, without changing the colour. Genius!
Prep tip: If you have a dark-coloured wall and are worried that whiteboard markers won’t show up, you can use liquid chalk instead.
10. Write-on!
Fancy turning your walls into surfaces where you can use whiteboard markers without damaging the walls? Then you’ll love the write-on wall paint that allows you to do exactly that.
It’s a great option for home offices and playrooms, where you can scribble notes or homework, or in your kitchen for you to add reminders, and you can simply wipe it off using a whiteboard eraser or soft cloth when you no longer need it.
It doesn’t mean you have to have your walls white either – because the write-on wall paint is clear it can be used over your current wall decor, without changing the colour. Genius!
Prep tip: If you have a dark-coloured wall and are worried that whiteboard markers won’t show up, you can use liquid chalk instead.
Spindle, Mischka, Freestyling, Santas Grey, Mamba, Hammerhead, Casper and Ivanhoe, all Resene.
11. Have Fun With a Mural
Whether it’s a mountain range, your favourite beach, or an enchanted garden for the kids, use your imagination and go wild by painting your own unique mural.
Draw out your design on paper first, to make sure you’re happy with it and you’ve had a few practice runs. Then, draw it lightly onto the wall before filling it in with paint.
If you’re not much of an artist, why not go with a pattern rather than a picture, where you can be more symmetrical, or paint some abstract shapes onto the wall instead?
More: For more paint effects and decorating ideas from Resene, click here.
Tell us: Which paint effect would you most like to try? Share with your fellow readers in the Comments section below.
11. Have Fun With a Mural
Whether it’s a mountain range, your favourite beach, or an enchanted garden for the kids, use your imagination and go wild by painting your own unique mural.
Draw out your design on paper first, to make sure you’re happy with it and you’ve had a few practice runs. Then, draw it lightly onto the wall before filling it in with paint.
If you’re not much of an artist, why not go with a pattern rather than a picture, where you can be more symmetrical, or paint some abstract shapes onto the wall instead?
More: For more paint effects and decorating ideas from Resene, click here.
Tell us: Which paint effect would you most like to try? Share with your fellow readers in the Comments section below.
- This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
It’s amazing the difference a coat of paint can make.
Resene has all the quality paint, colour, wallpaper,... Read More
It’s amazing the difference a coat of paint can make.
Resene has all the quality paint, colour, wallpaper,... Read More
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Great article - these paint effects could make renovation more of a joy!