Home renovation is a good and interesting business, but expensive and troublesome. To reduce costs, there are various recommendations, secrets and even tricks that will help you save not only money, but also nerve cells. One of the most budget-friendly, simple and at the same time creative ways is wall painting. We are not talking about simple painting in a single color, but about creating interesting compositions using geometric shapes, interesting patterns and other details.
ReRooms will tell you about the 20 most interesting ways to paint walls that will help transform your interior. We will show that painting walls can be completely different from what you are accustomed to perceive.
Stripes
Stripes not only decorate the room, making the atmosphere more dynamic, but also help hide architectural flaws. To create the same interior as in the photo, you will need masking tape and paint of your favorite shade.
A little theory:
1. Horizontal stripes will help visually expand the space, but at the same time slightly lower the ceiling.
2. Vertical stripes raise the ceiling and visually make the space higher than it actually is.
The stripes can be of different shades, different widths - as your imagination dictates. When choosing a pattern, proceed from the characteristics of the room.
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Chevron (zigzags)
Chevron in the interior is a truly bold solution for creative people. Decorate one wall with this pattern and paint the others a neutral color to prevent your apartment from turning into the Mad Hatter's home. Chevron is best used in the living room.
The geometry of this pattern simultaneously feels great energy and playfulness, harmony and ease. To achieve this effect, use the chevron zonally and in moderation, carefully selecting the colors and width of the pattern.
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Herringbone
Another cool pattern that is somewhat similar to a chevron. But he is not so dynamic and catchy. The obvious advantage of this type of decor is its brevity and ease of perception. A striking geometric design can add expressiveness to any room without it ever becoming dull or outdated. This pattern is suitable for any style, as it finds a place in both vintage, minimalist and industrial spaces.
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In the kitchen
Here it is not recommended to place painting elements near the stove, because the emanating heat can ruin the artwork. Various still lifes, tree branches with fruits, for example, olive, apple, grape, lemon, are suitable for the kitchen. The room can also be decorated with Scandinavian patterns or ethnic ornaments.
Cobweb
Don't be afraid, we are not talking about real cobwebs or scary spiders that evoke the gloomy atmosphere of ancient castles. With our pattern it's the other way around. If you choose bright mother-of-pearl colors, the interior of the room will acquire a mischievous and original atmosphere.
How to make such a pattern? Choose a base color (it can be anything, either bright or pastel), paint the wall with it, then chaotically place strips of masking tape and cover the wall with a different color. By removing the tape, you will get an original and creative wall that will delight your eyes!
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Geometric figures
Today this is one of the most popular and favorite ways to decorate walls. Geometric shapes are universal, so they can fit into any interior, regardless of style. Spectacular squares, triangles and rectangles will take pride of place in the design of the room. The undeniable advantages of this method of wall decoration are simplicity, elegance, dynamics and rhythm. If you want to create a modern atmosphere, geometric shapes are perfect for this, becoming either a laconic background or a bright accent.
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Urban architecture
Cityscape is a spectacular and stylish solution for decorating an apartment. In addition to views of endlessly tall skyscrapers and concrete jungles, you can depict a cozy European street, embankment or cafe. The design of an apartment in the Scandinavian style will sparkle in a new way thanks to the monochrome image of the city - only the contours and outlines of houses. The loft will also perfectly support the strict urban landscape. Bright painting is suitable for the living room or kitchen. You can draw fairy-tale houses and castles in your child’s room.
Ombre
To create a trendy gradient, use colors that are one shade apart from each other. Shades that fade and blur, smoothly flowing into each other are an unusual solution for wall decoration. We are accustomed to the fact that walls should be painted in one color that lies perfectly on the surface. But don't be like everyone else and experiment with design.
Ombre can be done with either a soft, barely noticeable transition or a pronounced one. To experiment, create an ombre look using waves or stripes, where each segment is a different tone. To give the interior a complete look, use the same pattern in the decorative elements.
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Surface preparation
It is not necessary to level the wall with plaster. For this, it is easier and more convenient to use sheets of drywall. They can be fixed to the surface using a solution or to a frame made of metal profiles. After this, you must first apply a starting layer of putty to the drywall, followed by a finishing layer of putty. Next, the surface is rubbed to a perfectly smooth state and primed. Finally, the background color for the future drawing is applied, after which you can begin painting.
The surface for future artistic decoration should be as flat and smooth as possible.
The effect of an underpainted wall
It is believed that if paint strokes and transitions between colors are visible on the wall, this is a flaw that spoils the entire interior of the room. But this is far from true. This effect, on the contrary, can decorate your room. Do you want an interior that’s not like everyone else’s? Then take note of this method and feel free to implement it in your room. Moreover, repeating this effect on your own will not be difficult. If you want a loft-style room with unusual walls, then this option will suit you one hundred percent.
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Mountains
We wrote a separate article about mountains in the bedroom. Read it if you want to draw them. Mountains are easy to draw and they are not expensive. The design is simple and will suit any interior. Choose this if you don't like detailed drawings.
Partial painting
Do you need something bright, but you don’t want to completely paint the walls or are you afraid that the interior will turn out to be too catchy and provocative? Don’t give up on rich colors for fear of overloading the interior. Simply choose the wall you would like to paint and begin the creative process. An interesting option is to paint not only one of the walls, but also the ceiling (in whole or in part). If you choose bright accessories or textiles, you will be guaranteed an atmosphere of eternal summer.
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In bathroom
Due to the high humidity in the room, waterproof paints should be used; acrylic paints are quite suitable. A theme related to water would be ideal for painting in the bathroom. For example, landscapes of the seabed, Roman baths, fountains, waterfalls, pearls in large shells, and so on.
Stamps (stencil)
It is not at all necessary to have the skills of an artist: if you want to depict something on the wall or create a complex ornament, use templates. Today it is not difficult to buy a ready-made template made of plastic or durable film. If you don't want to buy anything, you can easily find amazing templates online and print them on thick paper. Don't want to print? It's okay, there is another option: draw some simple pattern on a piece of cardboard. As you can see, the usual process of painting walls can be turned into a fun, creative game.
Don't know what to paint on the wall? It all depends on your preferences and the overall style of the room. As interesting accents, you can draw: - geometric or floral patterns, - drawings, - letters, words or whole text.
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Openwork pattern using a tablecloth
A budget-friendly, quick and effective way to decorate a wall is a homemade stencil made from a rubber kitchen tablecloth, tulle or napkin. There are many advantages to this finish. The tablecloth costs a penny, but can be used repeatedly. The algorithm for applying the pattern can be done even by an amateur finisher.
- The wall surface is primed and, after drying, covered with the first layer of putty.
- A stencil is attached to the wet solution.
- The top of the tablecloth is covered with a second layer of putty and smoothed tightly with a roller.
- The stencil is removed and the pattern is allowed to dry.
- The surface of the wall is lightly sanded with sandpaper, covered with primer and tinted.
To transfer the image with greater accuracy, the top layer of putty is made thicker or mixed with a small amount of PVA glue. It is important to create a smooth transition between the flat surface of the wall and the relief; the edges of the pattern are blurred with a slightly damp sponge.
If relief is not needed, the tablecloth can be used as a stencil for painting.
Paintings
Unlike the previous method, here you can and should draw something yourself. If you love to draw and brushes and paints are your best friends, then feel like Van Gogh or Picasso while painting a masterpiece of fine art on your wall. Well, if you are not friends with them at all, do not despair. Invite a professional artist to do this, who will draw you whatever your heart desires - from the simplest geometric shapes to entire compositions. The main thing is not to overdo it with the chosen motif and organically fit it into the design of the room.
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Watercolor stains
As children, we all loved to draw simple patterns, mixing all the colors of the palette and pouring water on the resulting stains. The young artists in us were screaming. Feel like a child again by transferring children's drawings to the walls of your room. To make the interior seem even brighter and more original, add textiles of the same color as on the walls.
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Drips
Does your soul require change and something bright? A wall covered in colorful streaks from ceiling to floor will help you with this. Thanks to this method, the wall will turn into a real art object that can be seen on the streets of the city. The advantage of this type of decoration is that it is self-sufficient, that is, you do not have to additionally decorate the space, since the colorful drips are magnificent in themselves.
How to achieve this effect? Choose a base color for the background (usually neutral and discreet shades), and a contrasting color for the drips. Feel free to pour paint on the walls so that it flows down freely. To complement such an interior, several decorative items can be decorated in the same style.
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Selection of drawing and plot
We already touched on the topic of paintings and said that it should match the room. Let's take a closer look at the choice of design.
Living room.
- Yes: abstraction with 3D effect, nature, city, portraits, geometry, graffiti.
- No: food, stories.
Kitchen.
- Yes: food, prepared meals, still lifes, kitchen utensils, bar or restaurant photography.
- No: children's drawings, cartoon characters, dark tragic pictures.
Bedroom.
- Yes: landscapes, flowers, abstractions.
- No: scenes of aggression, animals, large portraits, bright acid paintings.
Cabinet.
- Yes: book covers or shelves with them, paintings of classics, maps of countries or the world.
- No: children's fairy tales on a light background, food, flowers, animals, graffiti.
Bathroom.
- Yes: marine theme, landscape, flowers, abstraction.
- No: images of people and animals, still life.
The photo shows an artistic painting with fairy tale characters
Based on the interior style, the following models can be distinguished:
- Modern. Abstract motifs, large flowers, airbrushing, and reproductions of paintings by contemporary artists are suitable.
- Classical. A painting on the wall in the form of a landscape, plant details, reproductions of classical paintings, and ornaments is ideal.
- Oriental. Ornaments and arabesques, images of dragons, hieroglyphs, reproductions of paintings in the Guohua style will best reflect the directions.
- Provence. The main decorative element is flowers. Roses, lavender, tulips.
- Art Deco. A geometric pattern, a repeating pattern or an image simulating the texture of marble is ideal.
- Mezzanine. If a brick or concrete image looks boring, add graffiti.
- Eco. The best texture would be wood, bamboo forest or a beautiful field.
Like clockwork
Another way for those who like to draw for the soul and lift their spirits. Use your walls as an artistic canvas and use big, bold strokes to fill a monochromatic space. Feel like an artist who works in impressionist technique! It’s impossible to do something wrong because there are no strict rules. So choose your favorite colors and go ahead.
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Color splashes
This option is suitable not only for walls, but also for the ceiling - the composition will look much more colorful and original. Take more paint onto the brush and splash it in different directions. Then the renovation will not be so boring, but will become a real holiday (and help you relax). This effect will not only transform the interior of the room, but will also mask the architectural imperfections of the surfaces.
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"Sgraffito" technique
A labor-intensive, skill-requiring, but incredibly beautiful way of decorating walls is “sgraffito.” At the preparatory stage, the surface to be decorated is putty in a couple of layers. The color of the bottom layer should be different from the top. After drying, the top layer is scraped off with a sharp tool according to a pre-selected pattern, obtaining an original pattern.
To create a multi-colored “sgraffito” you should use several layers of putty and scratch them to different depths.
More materials will be required for such finishing than usual. The first layer of putty should be about 8 mm, each subsequent layer should be at least 5 mm.
Along the curve
Painting walls in several colors is not an easy task because it requires care and precision. We are used to the fact that the line between colors should be perfectly even, like a ruler. Or is it still not quite even?
Forget about boring rules and give free rein to your imagination. This method will give the interior freshness and originality. To make the design even more classy, each zone of the same color can be decorated with various accessories (for example, paintings or photographs framed to match the color of the walls).
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Colorful waves
Do you like to relax by the sea and splash in the azure waves? Then transfer your love directly to the walls of your room. Such waves can be painted both in similar colors and in contrasting ones. This option will look especially cool in a children's room or living room. Under the brightest wave color, choose an accent of the same color, such as textiles.
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In the nursery
For younger children, you can depict fairy-tale landscapes with funny and favorite characters. When decorating your baby's room, you need to use warm colors that will be pleasing to the baby's visual perception. Teenagers will enjoy fashionable anime, colorful comics, sports or music themes. Before choosing a drawing, it will be useful to consult with your child, who will tell you about his preferences, fantasies, and may give an interesting idea for future decorative painting in the nursery.
Inscriptions
Love inspirational quotes that energize you to do great things? Great! Many people hang up such phrases, designed as posters, or simply look at them on their phone screens. It's time to take it to the next level. Using a stencil, write your favorite phrase on the wall - and it will always be in your sight, as if to say: get out of bed, great things are ahead of us!
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Color blocks
Using this method, Lego constructors will appear on your walls. Or imagine that you are playing Tetris and the game seems to come to life and move into your room. Miracles and that's it. Experiment with colors, shapes and sizes of blocks, because there are tons of options for combining them. These can be either bright rectangular blocks that are separated from each other by a frame along the contour, or delicate light shades that will create a gradient. Imagine!
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Using a roller
Decorative rollers for painting walls can be purchased at any hardware store. They are easy to use, durable, functional, and often come with several attachments. The mark left by such a roller can imitate the pattern of an animal skin, a floral pattern, be geometric or abstract.
You can make a decorative roller with your own hands by wrapping the surface of a regular attachment with thick threads, a piece of fabric or mesh. Knitted fabric, pieces of foam or leather, and plastic bags are used. The effect of bursting soap bubbles remains after a foam roller with holes, similar to a fur coat - from a fleecy one.
Polka dots
Do you want something light and mischievous? Then peas are perfect for you. You can use both large and small circles, on the entire wall or just emphasizing some part of it, multi-colored or plain. Combine several of the options listed above - and your room will turn into one of the installations of the famous avant-garde Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. This print can be used in any room and in any style - no restrictions.
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In the bedroom
In this room it is important to create a calm environment conducive to relaxation. Therefore, for an artistic composition it is recommended to choose soft pastel shades. The drawing itself can depict a light cloudy sky, delicate branches of sakura, lilac, butterflies or birds of paradise. Some daredevils decorate their bedrooms with racy nude images. The main thing is to stick to soft and warm colors.
