Colour: Why You Should Paint Your Walls in More Than One Hue
From clashing brights to subtle ombre, using multiple colours can define zones, highlight features or just add that special something
Andrea Von
17 October 2015
Formerly editor at thegreenhubonline.com and Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm passionate about sustainability, innovative architecture and clever design.
Formerly editor at thegreenhubonline.com and Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm passionate... More
Choosing paint colours 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 the dozens of patch tests on the wall? So if you’re torn, why not consider using more than one shade? There are lots of reasons multi-coloured walls can be a bonus – they can make the room more interesting, zone different areas, change the proportions of a space or simply look beautiful. Here are 10 multi-coloured ideas to inspire you.
Add to a theme
The designers of this kids’ bedroom have added to the nautical flavour with a flag-style wall. The effect is fairly easy to achieve – with just four colours and easy-to-mask-off triangles – but the effect is striking and fun.
Check out these dream teen spaces for every personality
The designers of this kids’ bedroom have added to the nautical flavour with a flag-style wall. The effect is fairly easy to achieve – with just four colours and easy-to-mask-off triangles – but the effect is striking and fun.
Check out these dream teen spaces for every personality
Colour outside the lines
Normally, you would 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.
Normally, you would 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 colour 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, or reverse the colours and go light at the top for a more airy feel. If this paint effect is 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 colour 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, or reverse the colours and go light at the top for a more airy feel. If this paint effect is too tricky, you can always cheat with ombre wallpaper.
Bring personality to a hallway
We tend to just 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 on this landing, or opt for a variety of neutrals for something a little less bold.
See more of this creative London home
We tend to just 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 on this landing, or opt for a variety of neutrals for something a little less bold.
See more of this creative London home
Zone a space
Painting a recessed area a different colour to the rest of the room is a great way to indicate that a given 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 a dining area in a kitchen.
Painting a recessed area a different colour to the rest of the room is a great way to indicate that a given 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 a 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… how dreamy! The setting sun in the painting brings together the look perfectly.
Tip If you’re planning to install a bookcase, align a shelf precisely with the paint dividing line, as here, for a crisp finish.
In this cheerful-looking room, the darker and lighter turquoise shades suggest the sea and the sky… how dreamy! The setting sun in the painting brings together the look perfectly.
Tip If you’re planning to install a bookcase, align a shelf precisely with the paint dividing line, as 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 unusual-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 different areas.
The irregular shape of this staircase stands out because of its colour. If you have a curved wall or unusual-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 different areas.
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 breast to give the illusion of a fireplace – perfect for a minimalist look.
See why you should add a splash of yellow to your interior
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 breast to give the illusion of a fireplace – perfect for a minimalist look.
See why you should add a splash of yellow to your interior
Cosy up a high room
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, pale-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, pale-coloured rug.
Work subtle shades of the same colour
This light grey chimney breast works with different shades of the same colour in the rest of the room to add subtle interest and highlight the architecture. The paler grey also serves to showcase the dark grey mirror surround.
TELL US…
Have you painted your walls in multiple colours? And if not, have any of these schemes tempted you? Share your thoughts, tips and photos in the Comments below.
This light grey chimney breast works with different shades of the same colour in the rest of the room to add subtle interest and highlight the architecture. The paler grey also serves to showcase the dark grey mirror surround.
TELL US…
Have you painted your walls in multiple colours? And if not, have any of these schemes tempted you? Share your thoughts, tips and photos in the Comments below.
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use one of the painting companies websites and there you can play with colors and visualize any space you want painted; red brick and orange it's quite ok, but when you open the door to go into the house it's like you stepped into another world of turquoise sea.... try to find something complementary between the two not outside of the spectrum: between orange and turquoise I would try a yellow (think the spectrum is like Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Purple Indigo) so your Turquoise is made of Green and Blue. Conclusion: between Orange and Turquoise is only Yellow. I would try a yellow something like the sand... good luck!