5 easy paint fixes to update your home in a weekend

A coat of paint is a quick and easy way to update any room, and these expert tips will give you the confidence to inject some fresh colour into your life

Published: Monday, 15 April 2024 at 11:17 AM

Cupboard in Honfleur and Old White, walls in Knightsbridge Green, Annie Sloan – –

1. Work with what you own

Save money and the environment by giving the things you own a new look, rather than buying more. Annie Sloan CBE is an enthusiastic proponent of the concept: ‘There’s definitely a trend towards thrifting, with sustainability at its core,’ she says.

Annie Sloan hallway — Console in Paprika Red, cupboard in Coolabah Green, walls in Piranesi Pink, Annie Sloan – –

‘Rather than buying something new, I urge people to “shop their homes”; paint something you already have, and it will feel new.’

The benefits are more than simply aesthetic: ‘The process of painting itself is meditative, gives a huge boost of confidence and satisfaction, and your finished work will bring you joy long after the brushes are washed up,’ says Annie. ‘I think this reflects a mood for slow-living, self-care and doing things yourself – for the fun of it!’

Annie Sloan sun room — Walls in Arles, table in Burgundy, chairs in Old Violet, Barcelona Orange & Florence, Annie Sloan – –

2. Colour-drench your walls (and ceiling)

Colour drenching has been a big trend, and experts are predicting an evolved version to fill our rooms with colour, eschewing white for ceilings, coving and picture rails to add interest.

‘Try Portland as a warm, stony equivalent to white,’ suggests Milla Elder of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. ‘Match with Hespan, or for more drama add some Nicaragua or Rose.’

Painted celing — Add instant impact by painting ceilings in a shade that tones with the wallpaper or wall paint, like thisbathroom in Federal Green Eco Emulsion, from Francesca’s Paints – –

Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene, believes the importance of ceiling colour can’t be overstated. ‘Often the largest expanse of colour you’ll see in a room, a ceiling can transform how a space will feel.’

‘Painting it is a great way to finish the look and create instant impact. Try using tonal colours that coordinate with wallpapers or wall colours to achieve a cohesive “colour drenched” look.’

Little Greene Giallo — Bathe rooms in a sunshine glow with the use of yellow hues across all four walls, Giallo by Little Greene – –

3. Add checks and stripes

Whether you decide to paint a small focal point or daub an entire wall, checks, stripes and other patterns add unique character and interest. ‘Dress up your fireplace by painting it using checks,’ suggests Patrick Folkes, founder of Graphenstone UK.

Checked fireplace — Striking painted checks in Graphenstone’s Periwinkle and Indian Terracotta – –

Periwinkle and Indian Terracotta make for a dramatic combination. ‘We also love stripes, and this trend will endure,’ he predicts. ‘You can add a small accent or go large, for example, on the stairs for a welcoming look.’

Edward Bulmer stripes — Stripes in Naples Yellow and Whiting, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. Furniture styled by Toby Lorford – –

Fashion stylist and consultant Sarah Corbett-Winder is a keen fan of the trend and her guest bedroom, painted using Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, provided a perfect canvas for experimentation.

‘Stripes are a big theme in our house… we painted the walls and ceiling first in Paris Grey, and then artist Lucy Mahon added hand-painted Aquatic stripes.’

Stripy ceiling by F&B — Stripes in Farrow &Ball’s Incarnadineagainst BreakfastRoom Green walls – –

4. Highlight architectural details

Using paint in unexpected ways, such as bold colours on interior window frames, is set to become even more popular,’ predicts Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands.

‘Paint acts as a unique design characteristic that can be easily changed.’ This means that one can be more experimental with colour, placement and finish.

F&B Shallot and Romesco — Pair bold shades, like Farrow & Ball’s Shallot and Romesco, to makea feature of an alcove – –

Ruth Mottershead of Little Greene agrees that people are gravitating towards a bolder approach. ‘Colour is a wonderful way to highlight or incorporate architectural details into your design scheme, and woodwork, skirting, dado and picture rails and furniture are all fantastic hosts for colour.’

Bright red door — Woodwork inMylands’ FTT-009Bright Red popsagainst KensingtonRose walls – –

5. Make-over functional spaces

‘The rooms people are focusing on are changing,’ says Ruth Mottershead at Little Greene. ‘Decorative schemes were often the reserve of living rooms, dining spaces and bedrooms, but the layered decoration approach is now being taken into kitchens, utility rooms, pantries and bathrooms.’

Bold kitchen colours — Graphenstone’s Chateaux, Bengal and Serpentine add bold contrast to a kitchen – –

What were once considered more functional spaces are being given creative, colourful and layered design schemes.’

The beauty of a utility, pantry or downstairs loo is that these rooms tend to be small, so if you have a free weekend, devote it to giving one of these rooms an easy facelift with bright colours or painted details.