Decorating
Why You Should Paint Your Walls More Than One Colour
Using multiple colours on one wall can define zones, highlight features or just add that special something to a room
Choosing a paint colour is one of the most enjoyable parts of the decorating process, but it can also be one of the hardest. Which shade to choose from among the dozens of test patches on the wall? If you’re torn, why not consider using more than one? There are lots of reasons multi-coloured walls work. They can make the room more interesting, differentiate zones, change the proportions of a space or simply look beautiful. Take your inspiration from this collection of multi-coloured painting ideas to create your own masterpiece.
Colour outside the lines
You’d normally expect a wall of two colours to be separated by a dado or picture rail. In this room, not adhering to those boundaries has created an interesting effect. By painting the ceiling the same colour as the upper part of the wall – and painting over and below the picture rail – the designer has given the already high room even greater depth. Artwork and wall hangings that cross the divide break up the lines nicely.
You’d normally expect a wall of two colours to be separated by a dado or picture rail. In this room, not adhering to those boundaries has created an interesting effect. By painting the ceiling the same colour as the upper part of the wall – and painting over and below the picture rail – the designer has given the already high room even greater depth. Artwork and wall hangings that cross the divide break up the lines nicely.
Go for an ombre effect
One of the most beautiful things about paint is that you can mix it to the exact shade you desire. This also means you can create a graduated, ombre effect on your walls for something truly special. This darker ceiling creates a cosy effect, but you could reverse the colours and go light at the top for an airier feel. If this paint effect seems too tricky, you can always cheat with ombre wallpaper.
One of the most beautiful things about paint is that you can mix it to the exact shade you desire. This also means you can create a graduated, ombre effect on your walls for something truly special. This darker ceiling creates a cosy effect, but you could reverse the colours and go light at the top for an airier feel. If this paint effect seems too tricky, you can always cheat with ombre wallpaper.
Bring personality to a hallway
We tend to walk through transitional spaces such as hallways and stairwells without paying much attention to them. Turn these areas into features by using multiple colours on the walls. You can go for bright shades, as with this landing, or opt for a variety of neutrals for something a little less bold.
Take your hallway from drab to fab
We tend to walk through transitional spaces such as hallways and stairwells without paying much attention to them. Turn these areas into features by using multiple colours on the walls. You can go for bright shades, as with this landing, or opt for a variety of neutrals for something a little less bold.
Take your hallway from drab to fab
Zone a space
Painting a recessed area a different colour than the rest of the room is a great way to indicate that the spot has a distinct purpose. In this room, the dark blue designates a sleep space, but you could use the same idea to zone off a desk or dining area in a kitchen.
Painting a recessed area a different colour than the rest of the room is a great way to indicate that the spot has a distinct purpose. In this room, the dark blue designates a sleep space, but you could use the same idea to zone off a desk or dining area in a kitchen.
Set a scene
In this cheerful-looking room, the darker and lighter turquoise shades suggest the sea and the sky. The setting sun in the painting brings the look together perfectly.
TIP: If you’re planning to install a bookcase, align a shelf precisely with a paint line, as seen here, for a crisp finish.
In this cheerful-looking room, the darker and lighter turquoise shades suggest the sea and the sky. The setting sun in the painting brings the look together perfectly.
TIP: If you’re planning to install a bookcase, align a shelf precisely with a paint line, as seen here, for a crisp finish.
Draw attention to sculptural shapes
The irregular shape of this staircase stands out because of its colour. If you have a curved wall or unusually shaped structure, turn it into a feature by painting it one or more different colours. This makes a room more interesting and is also useful for zoning areas.
Dramatic shapes and standout patterns
The irregular shape of this staircase stands out because of its colour. If you have a curved wall or unusually shaped structure, turn it into a feature by painting it one or more different colours. This makes a room more interesting and is also useful for zoning areas.
Dramatic shapes and standout patterns
Mix up proportions
Here, the designers have used colour to change the visual proportions of the room and cleverly zone the desk area under the shutters. They’ve also used two colours on the chimney surround to give the illusion of a fireplace – perfect for a minimalist look.
Here, the designers have used colour to change the visual proportions of the room and cleverly zone the desk area under the shutters. They’ve also used two colours on the chimney surround to give the illusion of a fireplace – perfect for a minimalist look.
Make a tall room more intimate
Accentuate cornicing and draw down a high ceiling slightly with a two-tone wall. Paint the ceiling and walls down to the picture rail in white and the walls below in a darker hue. Here, having a white floor balances the room nicely; you could achieve a similar effect with a large, light-coloured rug.
Accentuate cornicing and draw down a high ceiling slightly with a two-tone wall. Paint the ceiling and walls down to the picture rail in white and the walls below in a darker hue. Here, having a white floor balances the room nicely; you could achieve a similar effect with a large, light-coloured rug.
Work subtle shades of the same colour
This light grey chimney surround works with different shades of the same colour in the rest of the room to add subtle interest and highlight the architecture.
TELL US
Have you painted your walls in multiple colours? If not, would you? Share your thoughts, tips and photos in the Comments.
MORE
The Case for a Colour-Coded Home
How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
How to Stop Procrastinating on Paint Colours
This light grey chimney surround works with different shades of the same colour in the rest of the room to add subtle interest and highlight the architecture.
TELL US
Have you painted your walls in multiple colours? If not, would you? Share your thoughts, tips and photos in the Comments.
MORE
The Case for a Colour-Coded Home
How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
How to Stop Procrastinating on Paint Colours
The designers of this kids’ bedroom have added to the nautical flavour with a flag-style wall. The effect is fairly easy to achieve – using just four colours and easy-to-mask-off triangles – but the effect is striking and fun.
10 kids’ bedroom themes that go the distance