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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Courtney Pochin

Decorating pro warns against painting trend that makes your home look much 'smaller'

Decorating your home is a great way to add some personality to your space and to express your creativity.

And there are a number of different ways to put your own stamp on your property - the simplest being to change the paint on the walls.

But according to an expert, there are a number of common painting mistakes that people make when trying to redecorate.

Tash Bradley, a colour psychologist and director of interior design at Lick, has shared her thoughts and tips on the subject, explaining why lacking confidence with your decorating is the biggest blunder of all.

Don't be afraid to paint a whole room in one colour (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Speaking to The Mirror, the interior design pro said: "I normally get clients who say they've tried decorating and it just doesn't work or isn't working and they will have bought a tin of paint and only done one wall.

"The main reason for this is likely that they've lacked confidence.

"Just doing an accent wall takes away what you're trying to do [with the room]. That becomes the focal point and your eye will always be drawn to it and it almost makes the room seem smaller."

Tash personally prefers to have a whole room "wrapped" in one colour, instead of doing an accent wall, but if you're really keen to have one in your home, she advises taking a few further steps.

The expert claims 'bright white' paint isn't our friend in the UK (stock photo) (Getty Images/Westend61)

She continues: "If you are someone who wants to do an accent wall, I would encourage you to take that colour that you've put on the wall onto the woodwork, going around the room so that it feels like the whole room was considered and not just one wall."

The woodwork can really make or break the room, according to Tash, who claims it's often forgotten during decorating and left a bright white colour which "isn't our friend" in the UK, and is better suited to homes in sunny areas like California.

"People often go to the effort of decorating and they've got this beautiful colour on their walls but then they leave bright white woodwork going all the way around the room and on the ceiling and what that does is it basically makes the transition from wall to woodwork really strong.

"Your eyes are always drawn to the lightest part of the room, so say for instance you did a lovely rich blue on your walls, but then you had this white box outline going round, it causes the room to lose all of the design element.

"Whereas if you went for a complimentary white or beige or taupe to go with the blue it will soften the transition and look beautiful."

Don't forget to paint the ceiling too (stock photo) (Andia/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)

She goes on to warn people not to just paint the walls and leave it at that, but to make sure you're also doing the ceiling.

"The other mistake people make is just to do the walls and then they'll look and think 'it looks fine, but it's not amazing'

"And what they need to do is paint the woodwork and their ceilings, either different complementary shades or everything all in one colour.

"That will really transform the space."

This comes after the interior design pro shared some of the best colours to use in your home, and the colours to avoid in your bedroom if you want to create a calming space for sleep.

Do you have a story to share? We want to hear all about it. Email courtney.pochin@mirror.co.uk

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