Color is one of the most defining elements of our homes. Whether your home favors neutrals for a light and airy scheme or embraces rich, warming hues for a cozy space, color has the power to transform how a room feels.
That said, it's not always realistic to reinvent a color scheme. Generally speaking, we want the main colors used in our homes to withstand the test of time while creating an atmosphere that's liveable for the day-to-day. And so, you may be left wondering how you can add interest and excitement to your home through paint colors, without embarking on a whole redecoration.
Thankfully, Farrow & Ball has the answers. The paint brand's in-house color curator Joa Studholme has shared five creative ways to transform the home with paint colors without overhauling an existing color scheme – and it's all about the details. If you're looking for interesting ways to elevate your room colors through paint ideas, read on.
Farrow & Ball Decorative Details – 5 transformative paint ideas
'There’s no doubt color brightens our lives and creates memories in our homes,' says Joa, 'But there are several reasons why we might not always want to decorate a whole room. Luckily, modest amounts of color can make huge statements.'
1. Paint borders around wall decor
Looking for an easy way to add interest to your wall decor ideas? Farrow & Ball recommends getting creative by painting borders directly onto your walls, a good solution if your wall decor doesn't fill the space properly.
'If a mirror or piece of artwork feels too small for your space, simply paint a border around it,' advises Joa. 'If it still looks small, extend that border with a contrasting color and keep going until you feel you have reached the right size.' This approach has been channeled in this cozy living room, but Joa adds that you could create a similar look with gallery wall ideas: 'If you want to hang multiple pictures together, paint the area behind them to highlight your gallery wall.'
Here, the border around the mirror is painted in Farrow & Ball's Berrington Blue and Pantalon, adding a richer look to the room's neutral School House White walls and Smoked Trout fireplace.
2. Add bold color to doors
Doors are often overlooked when deciding on a room's color scheme, but they can indeed provide a welcomed opportunity to energize a room with a splash of bold color. If your room is primarily neutral, for example, painting the door in an uplifting shade transitions the space from predictable to playful.
'Why not add a great big dose of color to an unexpected door?' suggests Joa. 'Nothing warms the heart like a door painted in rich Preference Red, especially if you use Full Gloss. This could be to an ensuite bathroom or even just a cupboard – wherever you use it will give a special welcome.'
Taking cues from the unexpected red theory, Joa's recommended approach of decorating with red won't fail to bring drama to a room. In this colorful bedroom, the door is painted in Picture Gallery Red, contrasting with the Inchyra Blue walls.
Gain more inspiration for your next home decor project with this Farrow & Ball book, filled with useful color and decorating advice.
3. Add interest to architraves
'Architraves are usually considered functional rather than decorative; I say turn that on its head and treat these features to some lively color,' says Joa. 'A classic architrave can be made to look super contemporary with a vivid color like Raw Tomatillo, or if you want to soften the journey from room to room, then use a stencil to paint a scalloped frame around the architrave in Pink Ground.'
Here, a pop of green is added to the dining space, framing the doorway leading into the garden with Green Smoke and Charlotte’s Locks. 'It’s easy to give doors extra impact by adding an oversized, painted frame, taking it over the architrave and even up onto the ceiling,' adds Joa. 'This quirky idea is particularly useful if you want to give particular importance to one door in a room.'
'Don’t worry if you haven’t got an architrave between your rooms, even a simple arch between two spaces can be painted in a punchy color, like Bamboozle, for an extra decorative twist,' Joa continues.
4. Paint joinery with unexpected colors
When decorating with paint, it's worth paying attention to the more hidden elements of a room, especially if you like the dominant colors of a room to remain pared back. Places like cabinetry can create a playful yet subtle look with rich paint colors.
'If you prefer an understated environment, try introducing color or pattern in hidden spaces, which may well not be seen 90% of the time,' suggests Joa. 'Use uplifting colors inside kitchen units and closets to add an element of surprise without affecting the overall style of the room. You’ll feel great every time you open the doors!'
'Traditionally, colors like Stone Blue and Selvedge have often been used in the back of bookcases but why not try a little Charlotte’s Locks for a fiery treat.' In this dining room, the kitchen cabinets are Green Smoke and Eating Room Red, bringing warmth to the light color scheme.
5. Mimic a headboard with paint
In bedrooms, paint colors can be just as experimental. While we typically want these rooms to stick to calming colors to aid in a relaxed feel, using neutral shades in unexpected ways is a failsafe way to add interest.
'An imaginative use of color can result in huge cost savings,' says Joa. 'For example, why not paint a headboard directly onto a wall to define a space and add a charming decorative twist? Choose any shape that takes your fancy and create a simple stencil to help you out. Delicate colors like Pale Powder and Eddy work particularly well on light walls, while Railings or Paean Black may be favored for a more industrial look.'
Which of these creative paint ideas is your favorite? Each of them will add interest to your space without compromising on your existing color scheme. As with any decorating project that involves paint, make sure to sample colors first. Even when used in small amounts, colors can vary hugely depending on the lighting of a room and other factors.
