The decorative interior wall painting techniques aren’t new. They go back in time since the first civilizations drew on surfaces to give records of various events. Over the centuries, this simple idea was explored and redefined. It was celebrated and implemented in the Renaissance period, became a must in French buildings, and gave room for some of the world’s greatest masterpieces.
Today – more than ever, we need a way to bring pizzazz to the home. And with decorative painting techniques, we do just that. Let us now discover what decorative painting is all about and also, the whys and the hows to bring it to your living room.
Decorative painting (and all the good things that come along)
The decorative painting technique is an easy way to jazz up a room – that’s the short version of what this is.
Decorating painting is a technique that plays with the appearance and often texture of a specific surface. It’s not a solid color but a design, which may be vibrant but also subtle.
Such techniques are mainly used for interior painting. They could be used for exterior painting too if only the paints were resistant to the elements.
The main purpose of using decorative techniques to paint a room is to make a particular surface unique, beautiful, and exuberant. And these are the main advantages of decorative painting.
- First of all, there are several decorative painting techniques and if you add to that the abundance of color choices, the end results are surely unique.
- Since such techniques are actually painting designs, the results are not only dazzling but the room fills with energy too.
- The decorative painting techniques are multiple and based on one’s creativity, they can be infinite. Plus, they can be used on nearly all interior surfaces, from the walls and the ceilings to floors and furniture.
- These paint coatings protect the surface and depending on the design, they can also conceal small blemishes that may happen over time.
The most popular wall painting techniques
- Venetian stucco for a marble effect
- Sponge technique with wide or narrow pores to add depth
- Rust effect that brings brass, bronze, or copper to the room
- Decorative rollers for a repeated pattern of your choice instead of wallpaper installation
- Harlequin or checkerboard styles to add some oomph to the room
- Metallic paints for a brilliant look
- Stripes – horizontal or vertical – for an eye-catching wall
- Polka dots for a cheerful corner in the living room
- Strie with vertical or horizontal lines for a more elegant look with some texture
- Color wash for a patina look
Which walls deserve this extra paint style?
The living room – among all rooms in the home, deserves the extra flair of the decorative painting techniques. That’s the room you spend more time in trying to relax or entertain friends. It’s a room that must fill you with energy but also provide the right atmosphere for relaxation. The decorative painting techniques shouldn’t be tiring and so it’s best to avoid extravagances. But if you like to overdo it, for once, pick one wall and go wild – be super-creative.
How to choose the best painting style for your living room
You can go for a more subtle look – like a color wash or sponge technique, for the rest of the room and just make one wall bold with a metallic paint or vivid color or polka dots. Start by considering the living room’s style and what results you expect.
It’s vital to remember that the results are the sum of the chosen decorative style and the selected colors.
In order to make this home painting project succeed, start by considering your style. And don’t be afraid to try something new, even if your home is classic. Some of the most stunning classical homes in the world have fabulous murals, color-washed walls, and textured ceilings.
Since this is your living room and you need to combine many things – make it serene but also energetic, make it elegant but also cozy, prefer to use neutral colors – anything from off whites and bronze to blacks and dark greens.
And remember, you don’t have to decorate all walls. Sometimes, one wall decorated with a superb decorative technique can do all the talking.