I often suggest using colour in the décor in small doses to begin with. Painting a focal wall is an easy way to add colour without committing yourself to adding colour to the entire room. Focal walls also allow you to use a richer colour than you might if you were painting the entire room because the painted surface is small and will not be overwhelming. Painting a focal wall is a quick and affordable way to give a room new life without a lot of commitment in time or money. If you've tried this technique and were not pleased with the outcome, you may have missed a few steps in the process that will ensure a great look. Follow along to see how it's done.
Invest in good quality paint in a scrumptious colour that you've been waiting to try but were leery to use. Bright red? Royal blue? Why not?
As you can see from today's photo (courtesy of Dulux Paints) painting a focal wall can change the look and feel of an entire room. You can see how this translates in the dining room pictured. The Tropic Night blue wall colour is carried onto the table linens, which helps the two spaces relate visually. The expanse of bright blue wall is broken up with a collage of pebble-shaped mirrors and framed by white baseboards. The baseboard colour is repeated in the chair slipcovers, which along with the table runner, also break up the large blue tablecloth. You need contrast to make a strong colour work and to help balance the effect.
Bringing in another colour
A complimentary colour, in hues of yellow, is added to create an exciting palette. This includes the gold drapes in the dining room. The pink roses on the table also offer a splash of colour.
Even though the remaining walls are white, you can see how painting a focal colour changes things dramatically. If you're in the same boat and have white walls, look for that special spot where colour can be added to provide instant drama.
Small rooms
Many people think that a small room, like a bathroom, can't handle strong colour. This is not necessarily the case. I suppose at one end of the spectrum a bathroom painted in black might be too much, but a rich colour added to the focal wall (usually where the vanity is) can actually open up the space and give it personality. Add in some new towels and a few accessories in a coordinating colour and your little bathroom will look grand. For very dark colours, balance the look. The majority of bathrooms contain white sinks, tubs and toilets so right there the strong wall colour will be broken up with a light colour. If that's not the case in your home, think carefully about the colour you choose. If your vanity has an espresso finish, for example, you might not want to paint the wall behind it dark brown as that would be too dark overall.
Just a bit of paint can really transform a room. Take the plunge and choose a focal wall on which to add a rich colour for the New Year. Take your colour inspiration from a painting, a fabric pattern or a magazine photo of a fantastic room and take a leap of faith. Maybe it's time for a change.
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