The Power of Paint
When deciding on how to decorate your space, it’s important to consider the impact you want to create. Whether you’d like your room to feel bigger, cosier or even create the illusion that the ceiling is taller - paint is a powerful tool to change perception.
I’ve put together a quick guide that demonstrates how using different paint techniques can change the perception and influence the experience of a space.
Let’s start with the feature wall. It became popular in the early 2000s as a way to experiment with a bold colour and add a statement to a space.
The last decade has seen interesting ways of evolving this technique including different materials such as panelling and murals as well as playing with which wall to choose.
But for the purposes on this article, we’re focussing on paint techniques. So here are few ways to do it, each with different results.
01. Drawing attention to one wall
Painting one wall in a lighter colour can highlight a wall.
It causes the eye to be drawn to it, creating an instant focal point. Perfect for highlighting a piece of art or statement furniture
02. Shortening the room
One of the most common techniques is to paint one wall, adding a pop of colour.
It also creates a visually shorter space which can create a more intimate feel.
This effectively brings the room to a definite end, making that back wall feel closer.
03. Lowering the ceiling
But what about the fifth wall? The ceiling!
Whereas tall ceilings are beautiful, they can often feel large and airy, rather than cosy.
Painting your ceiling in a darker colour, and keeping your walls in a lighter colour, can make the ceiling feel lower and closer. This can instantly create a cosier and more intimate vibe. Perfect for a bedroom!
An effective way to change the perception of a room is to use stripes as an alternative to block colour.
04. Drawing the eye upwards
Painting stripes on a ceiling or painting beams a darker colour draws the eye upwards. Useful if you’re trying to draw attention away from the lower half of the room.
05. Making the room taller
Vertical stripes is effective for rooms with low ceilings as they can help a space feel taller.
Vertical stripes draw the eye upwards, which gives the appearance of elevated ceilings.
06. Widening the room
Horizontal stripes can widen a room, great for a narrow space.
Just like vertical stripes draw the eye upwards, horizontal stripes seem to stretch a room by drawing the eye outwards which can help to expand a space.
There are many other techniques that also play with perception. Some bolder than others.
07. Compacting a room
If you’re trying to create a cosy and intimate space, painting all of the walls and ceiling the same colour can achieve that result. The ‘colour drenching’ technique is perfect for a snug or a bedroom.
This also works for reducing the impact of an oversized room.
08. Expanding a room
Painting a room fully in a light colour can make a room feel more spacious. This technique is more impactful if the ceiling and walls are all in the same colour.
09. Elongating the room
If you’re looking to elongate a short room, painting the ceiling and one wall can make the room feel wider.
Our eyes love to follow contrasting lines and will be drawn to the sharp lines of contrast created by the dark ceiling.
10. Narrowing the room
If your room feels too wide, an easy solution is to paint opposing walls a darker color. Dark colors absorb light, which has the effect of making walls appear closer to you.
This technique is perfect for spaces that run long because it makes the walls feel more proportionate.
11. Stretching the room
If you’re looking to widen a narrow room, painting the ceiling and the bottom half of your walls in a light colour and the top half of the walls a dark color can help to achieve this.
This sandwiching effect of dark and light can make the space appear wider, whilst lengthening the room at the same time.
12. Raising the ceiling
Painting the walls a darker colour, whilst leaving the ceiling light can help to create the perception of taller ceilings and vertically expands the space.
If you want support in making your space work harder for you - don’t hesitate to get in touch for a free 20 minute discovery call.
