Looking to give your home a unique look without much effort or expenditure? You should consider painting your home. But wait! Painting doesn’t necessarily mean changing or refreshing the colour of your walls. Did you know that paints can be used for much more than that? That’s right. You can use paints to create visually interesting architectural features that are sure to turn heads with their stunning effect. In this article, we will discover some easy tricks to create unique architectural elements for your home using just paint.
See also: What is marble painting?
Faux wainscoting
Want to achieve a wainscoting-like effect? Just use paint for that. To do this, measure and mark the portion where you would like this effect to appear and mask off the marked section using painter’s tape. In the lower portion, use a colour that contrasts the upper portion. Additionally, consider using a satin or semi-gloss finish to perfect the look imitating wooden panelling.
Source: Pinterest @ruthghg
Faux moulding
Paint can be easily used to simulate the look of crown moulding or chair rails. Mask off the required area using painter’s tape and paint in a contrasting colour imitating the moulding effect. For greater depth and visual appeal, it is recommended to use a shade above or below the colour of the wall.
Source: Pinterest @hgtv
Brick accent wall
You don’t need bricks to create a unique and edgy accent wall for your space. Instead, you can do it using paint. Simply tape off rectangular shapes on the wall in a specific pattern to resemble the shape of bricks. Then paint each rectangle in a different shade of red or brown. Further, ass depth and texture by adding specks of lighter or darker shades using a sponge once the base coat is dry.
Source: Pinterest @hometalk
Faux wood beams
Avoid the hassle and expenses of installing real wood beams to achieve a rustic appeal by using paint to create faux beams instead. Paint thick lines along your ceiling imitating the structure of wooden beams and paint them with various shades of brown for added depth and texture. Also, consider replicating the effect of the wood grain by incorporating the required detailing with a fine brush or sponge.
Stencil patterns
If you fish to flaunt some intricate and artistic patterns on your walls, ceilings or floors, you can consider using stencils. Use some tape to hold the stencil in place and fill it with a colour contrasting the original colour of the surface. From borders and tile patterns to whole accent walls, this technique is suitable for numerous applications.
Source: Pinterest @etsy
Faux tile backsplash
Bored of your plain kitchen and bathroom backsplash? We got you covered! Use paint to transform plain bathroom and kitchen walls into stylish backsplashes without using tiles. Create a grid pattern on the wall using painter’s tape and paint each section using a different colour to achieve the effect of tiles. For enhanced visual appeal, you can use stencil to add some intricate designs to your faux backsplash.
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Source: Pinterest @etsyca
Ombre walls
An ombre or gradient effect is a timeless classic that never goes out of vogue. Achieve this effect by painting your walls with two or more colours and blend them in a way that they appear to be emerging from each other. Start from the top with the lightest colour and move downwards while ultimately transitioning to the darkest one at the bottom. For the perfect gradient effect, blend the colours at the transition points using a large paint brush or sponge.
Geometric accent walls
Incorporating abstract geometric patterns on your walls can give your space an artsy twist. Paint triangles, diamonds and hexagons in different colours and sizes to achieve a contemporary and eye-catching accent wall. Additionally, consider experimenting with the placement of the shapes in a way that enhances visual interest.
Source: Pinterest @shreyadalela
Striped ceilings
A simple way to enhance the visual interest of your ceiling is by painting stripes in alternating colours. Mark off evenly spaced and sized stripes across the ceiling using painter’s tape and then paint each stripe in a different colour. Alongside adding a fun, whimsy element to the space, this technique also helps the room feel more spacious.
Stair risers
Paint unique designs or patterns on each stair riser to transform their plain look into a work of art. Stencils, freehand painting and decals are some techniques that can be used for this purpose. Make sure to opt for an eclectic mix of designs for a whimsical look without compromising the cohesiveness.
Source: Pinterest @thespruceofficial
FAQs
How difficult are these hacks to implement?
While some hacks like faux moulding and stencil patterns require precision, ombre walls and striped ceilings are relatively easier.
What special tools or materials are required for these hacks?
Alongside basic supplies like brushes, rollers, painter’s tape and paint trays, it is advisable to keep stencils and sponges handy.
What surfaces are these hacks suited for?
These hacks can be used on walls, ceilings and floorings after the surface is properly prepared by cleaning, sanding and priming.
Can these hacks be easily undone or modified?
While faux moulding or wood beams might require more effort to undo, stencil patterns and geometric accent walls can be easily painted over.
Will these hacks require multiple coats of paint?
Most hacks ideally require at least two coats of paint. The exact number depends on the quality of the paint and the texture of the surface.
How do I ensure professional looking results?
Ensure proper surface preparation, thorough masking and use of high-quality materials for professional-looking results and clean lines.
Are these paint hacks suitable for exterior space?
While these hacks are best suited for interior spaces, some of them such as faux bricks or faux wood beams can be used in exterior spaces as well using high-quality materials.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
