If you’re looking for dramatic decorating ideas, a vivid and playful feature wall could be just what you need to make your room stand out from the crowd.
Add drama with a paint effect

5 fun feature wall ideas you’ll be proud to show off

If your walls are ready for a refresh, why not go all out and try a paint effect with serious wow factor?

“I’d like to get out of my comfort zone and try something a bit different when I repaint the living room. Any ideas for a feature wall that will stand out from the crowd?”

Painting with glorious colour is a quick and easy way to breathe new life into tired walls.

But if you’re looking to add drama to your decorating scheme, a vivid and playful feature wall could be just what you need to make your room stand out from the crowd.

If you do decide to make a statement in your home, it’s a good idea to limit yourself to a single feature wall per room. And paint the surrounding walls in a more restrained palette to ensure your chosen wall commands everyone’s full attention the moment they enter the room.

Otherwise, anything goes! Consider it a great opportunity to tap into and explore your creative side. But if you’re not sure where to start, here are a few ideas to help get you started:

These graphic diamonds enhance the sense of order – albeit playful - in this living room, although it’s a decorating ideas that’s not for the faint-hearted!
Go for a graphic paint effect

1. Go graphic

There is something immensely pleasing about repetition and pattern. These graphic diamonds enhance the sense of order – albeit playful - in this living room, although they’re not for the faint-hearted!

If you’re bold enough to try them, keep them bright and energised with an intense shade such as orange. A muted shade will dilute the effect. After all, you’re not trying to be subtle!

Which paints?

C7.49.50 – 28YR 29/561
F2.40.60 - 20YY 35/456
SN.01.85 – 59BB 81/022

For a contemporary decorating idea with an edgy vibe, you can’t go wrong with a monochrome grid.
Paint a grid on your feature wall

2. Off grid

For a contemporary look with an edgy vibe, you can’t go wrong with a monochrome grid.

Crisp, thick lines work best for this look, although keep the squares large and big enough to fit your hand inside.

For a softer look, add a few well-placed painted circles to your grid to add a touch of whimsy.

Which paints?

DN.00.11 – 00NN 05/000
SN.01.85 – 59BB 81/022
C8.10.70 – 50YR 53/160

Here, multiple hand-painted grids have been painted in complementary colours for a playful look that evokes controlled chaos.
A multi-coloured feature wall

3. Go with the flow

If the rigidity of the grid feels a little too harsh for your decorating scheme, why not go for a more relaxed and colourful version?

Here, multiple hand-painted grids have been painted in complementary colours for a playful look that evokes controlled chaos.

Which paints?

Q4.24.63 – 30BG 44/248
G0.68.75 – 60YY 62/755
C7.49.50 – 28YR 29/561

Circles are a captivating decorating idea, but too many will overpower the effect, so less is definitely more when it come to this appealing look.
Feature wall with colourful spots

4. On the dot

Our eyes are naturally drawn to circles although it’s unusual to find them painted on walls.

For a harmonious feature wall, channel your inner Damien Hirst and paint large circles at the top of the wall in retro or sorbet shades.

Circles are captivating, but too many will overpower the effect, so less is definitely more when it come to this appealing look.

Which paints?

G0.68.75 – 60YY 62/755
C8.10.70 – 50YR 53/160
AN.02.81 – 70RR 73/025

If you’re a fan of stripes but yearn for something a little bit different, turn them on their head, literally.
Feature wall with blurred lines

5. Blurred edges

If you’re a fan of stripes but yearn for something a little bit different, why not turn them on their head, literally?

Horizontal stripes is the perfect way to update this classic look, while blurring the edges lends it a fun, edgy vibe that’s reminiscent of graffiti art.

Which paints?

G2.58.80 – 54YY 69/747
Q7.15.76 – 50BG 72/170
V0.20.60 – 90BB 36/188

Top tip

Do you have lots of half-empty paint tins stored away at the back of a cupboard? Dig them out and assess what colours you have, and see if you can use them to help create the paint effects described above.

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