Colorful Wall Decor: The Golden Rules
Do you want to add color to your walls, but you don't have a specific decorating idea in mind? Are you unsure how to harmoniously mix colors?
Rest assured! In our guide, you'll find all the information you need to create the best colorful wall decor. To do this, you'll learn how to choose the right colors for your room, select the best color combinations, know how to apply paint, and what decorative elements to add.
Reading this guide will allow you to:
- Select suitable colors for the room
- Choosing the ideal color combinations for the walls
- Use the right painting techniques and decorate the walls properly
I) Rules for choosing wall colors
By following our recommendations, you won't need to call in an expert to find the perfect colors for your wall decor. Here's how to proceed.
1) Find inspiration
A home's decor often reflects the personality of its resident. For example, it's not uncommon for extroverts to opt for bold decor with bright colors. In contrast, introverts tend to favor more subdued colors and minimalist decor .
The good news is that both types of decor are equally valid. It all depends essentially on your personality, your character, and your tastes. Your decor allows you to express yourself, often without even realizing it.
Take a look through your belongings, especially those you plan to keep in the room you intend to decorate, and choose the items that inspire you most. To begin, you could, for example, look for common colors in a few decorative objects or simply choose the colors you like.
2) Define the atmosphere you want to create in the room
Don't worry about the room's current style. Your goal is to imagine what it will look like once you've finished redecorating. Do you want a space for relaxation and tranquility, or a warm and inviting place? Adapt your decor to the atmosphere you want to create.
3) Mark the dominant colors of your furniture and decorative elements
Don't hesitate to take notes about the flooring, wallpaper , artwork, etc. This will help you avoid making serious mistakes. Indeed, it's possible to choose a color that might clash with essential decorative elements, such as furniture or rugs.
4) Always start with the boldest colors
When painting a colored wall, an even distribution of colors is generally not the best idea, as this approach significantly limits your options. Instead, opt for a ratio of:
- 60% for the dominant color
- 30% for the second color
- 10% for the third color
When it comes to furniture and decorative elements, the color distribution should follow an inverse relationship, with the third color becoming dominant. Alternatively, if you prefer to limit yourself to just two colors, the ratio becomes 50-50. That said, in this case, it's always best for the second color to be neutral, to avoid oversaturation .
5) Test the colors before making a final choice
Even if you have a strong intuition, it will be difficult to imagine how a particular paint will look when applied to your wall. This is mainly due to the fact that a multitude of factors come into play, including lighting , which is one of the most important.
For this reason, the testing phase remains essential. Moreover, it allows you to select your best options and limit your choices to a reasonable number of alternatives, making the experience feasible. Note that you should choose colors with slightly lighter shades , since paints always darken over time.
Choose a color and use it to paint a small piece of foam before sticking it to the wall. Don't hesitate to hang them on more than one wall to see how the color reacts to light.
6) Let your imagination run wild
Even if you like certain colors that aren't very popular, feel free to use them. After all, the goal of your decorating is to create a space that suits you . Besides, you always have the option of changing the wall color at any time.
If, like us, you are a passionate advocate for nature, you should know that there are paints that respect the environment. These contain few biocides and natural pigments .
II) The rules for creating a good color mix
Finding the right colors to combine for your accent wall can seem difficult. Many people don't even see the point. Yet, simply by using a two-color combination , you can give your decor a particularly charming artistic touch. It's a fascinating exercise, because with each combination, your wall takes on a new identity.
The colors you use in your combinations don't necessarily have to belong to the same family. This means you have more options, which is definitely good to know. You also have the option of drawing your guests' attention to a particular wall to highlight some of your decorative items.
You can do this by using colors that contrast with each other or by choosing more subdued colors, with monochromatic combinations .
If you have wood-paneled walls, or if you're using only two colors on a single wall, it's highly recommended to reserve the lower portion for the darker color. Besides being stylish, this approach is also practical, as it allows you to conceal any marks or stains that might appear on the walls.
In fact, if you have children, this style will probably be the one for you. Furthermore, using the lightest color on the upper part of the wall makes the room appear much more spacious than it actually is. So, consider using this technique to your advantage.
While horizontal wall division is the most common, vertical division is certainly a viable alternative. This option is ideal if you prefer a more modern style. Furthermore, it works exceptionally well with high walls . So, if you find your ceiling is quite high, you know what to do.
Having several colors on your bedroom walls is a stylish way to highlight certain decorative elements. The idea is to contrast the colors of the objects with those of the walls, playing on the effect of contrast . You simply need to ensure that the decorative elements are well-placed and that they catch the eye as soon as someone enters the room. So, take your time and choose the right shades of color .
Don't neglect painting the ceiling of the room. Many professionals consider it the fifth wall. It's a great place for an accent color. Also, keep in mind that you can create the illusion of a higher ceiling by using a lighter color, and vice versa. You can even use this technique to conceal certain architectural flaws in your home.
III) Rules to follow for painting and decorating bedroom walls
Decorating and painting a colorful wall go hand in hand. By following the rules we outline here, you'll have no trouble finding the best design for your colorful wall.
1) How to paint the colored walls of a bedroom?
You don't need to be a professional decorator to learn how to paint the colored walls of your home properly. Furthermore, it doesn't require extensive knowledge and doesn't cost much.
A) Have a plan
Before you start painting the walls of the room, you should first have a clear goal in mind. We also suggest always starting with neutral colors . This will greatly help you visualize the final result. While you're at it, consider repainting the ceiling before painting the remaining walls.
B) Prepare the tools
Depending on your goals, whether it's the type of paint you want to use or the condition of the walls, you may need a variety of tools. Of course, some tools are essential in all cases:
- The paint cans
- A sleeve and a paint roller
- Masking tapes
- Sandpaper
- Thinner
- Cleaning cloths
- A paint tray
- Paintbrushes
C) Prepare the room and the walls
When decorating your wall with a splash of color, you must be careful not to damage your furniture or decorative items. If you're confident in your painting skills, you can simply group your furniture and other belongings in the center of the room and cover them for protection. However, if the room is too small, don't hesitate to move them outside the room.
Mask off the edges of the walls, windows, and doors using masking tape. This will allow you to create a fine and precise design. Use the same technique to cover the electrical outlets after removing the light switches. Be sure to adhere the tape firmly to prevent paint from seeping underneath. Once the paint is dry, remove the ends of the tape and admire the result.
D) Mix the colors
Using a simple piece of wood, stir the paint and continue to do so periodically until the process is complete. If you don't, you risk losing the true original color. Furthermore, if you plan to paint a large surface, make sure you have enough paint mixed, as it's difficult to achieve the same color by mixing primary colors a second time.
E) Use the correct painting technique
To paint a colored wall properly, you need to follow a plan. Start by painting the ceiling , then move to the upper part of the walls before working your way down. As mentioned earlier, it's always best to begin by applying a neutral color.
In fact, exceeding the limits set by this color shouldn't be a problem. The colors you apply afterward will be darker and can easily cover any smudges or spills of the neutral color.
You should also paint one wall at a time. As mentioned earlier, it's important to work from top to bottom to achieve a good result. For most of the wall (excluding the edges), you can use a roller and apply the paint in a "W" shape to eliminate any visible lines.
Let the wall dry for a while, then begin the second coat . When painting the edges of the wall, where a little care is needed, use a fine brush and don't forget to use masking tape, if necessary.
F) Ventilate the space for greater efficiency
Having to wait for paint to dry for several hours is certainly annoying. So remember to ventilate the room to speed up the process and save precious time. Don't hesitate to open doors and windows to create a draft.
You can also use fans if the weather is bad and you cannot afford to let outside air into your home.
2) How to decorate the colored walls of a bedroom?
While it does have a few specific requirements, decorating a colored wall is actually quite simple. By adding a few decorative elements, shelves, or a small bookcase , you can make your walls a focal point of your decor. Here, we present some of the most interesting ideas.
A) Turn your colorful wall into a small art gallery
The size of the pictures you can hang will depend on the color scheme you've chosen for your wall. For example, if you have more than two colors on a wall, it's generally best to opt for smaller pictures . Unlike larger pictures, these don't cover most of the wall.
Furthermore, paintings easily add personality to your decor, which is never a bad thing. Along the same lines, hanging photographs is also an interesting alternative. Moreover, unlike paintings, they won't disrupt the flow created by the interplay of colors.
B) Decorate the accent wall in a different way
An accent wall is inherently different from other walls. You can emphasize its distinctive character and showcase your most original decorative elements there. The possibilities are endless.
Also note that this idea is particularly effective when the room in question is relatively small. In this case, a well-decorated accent wall can make all the difference.
C) Showcase your tapestry
Like colorful ethnic decor , tapestries are certainly one of the most effective decorating options. Simply hanging a traditional rug on your colorful wall can add authenticity to your decor. Furthermore, tapestries are extremely easy to move, making them particularly appealing to those who relocate frequently.
D) Install shelves
Shelves aren't just beautiful decorative elements. They're also practical, which is why we recommend them to those with limited space . By combining functionality with visual appeal, you create a perfect solution that's sure to please.
By learning all the rules of decorating colored walls, you will have no trouble expressing yourself through your wall decoration.
Now you know how to find the right colors for every space you want to decorate, and color combinations hold no more secrets for you. So don't hesitate to let your imagination run wild.
If you've decided to add colorful paintings to your walls, we invite you to browse our online store. We offer a wide variety of canvas prints in all styles.
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See you soon.
The Lofty Trend Team.
