If your home features a brick wall, adding a wash of paint serves as an instant update with a fresh, texturized look. We’re partial to a dark blue, like the navy hue pictured here.
12 Unique Ways to Decorate Your Walls With Paint
Madeline Buiano is an associate editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home and pets. She has five years of writing and editing experience in the digital publishing industry.
Updated on November 10, 2022
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From using light hues to brighten up a windowless room to adding a unique geometric design element, paint has the power to transform any area in your home—and it’s much more affordable than a full renovation.
Enhancing your space with dark colored paint or simply using it to cover an existing brick wall offers an instant refresh. If you’re not a fan of a one-coat wall, an ombré effect is an easy way to create depth in any room. Or add elegance to your bedroom with a raw-silk wall, which mimics the look of fabric by using two simple tools and your favorite shade.
No matter your aesthetic, there are a variety of easy and gorgeous paint techniques that will give your walls a completely new look—explore all of our favorites, ahead.
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Paint a Headboard
Opt for a painted headboard in lieu of a real one—it serves as a unique design element in a nursery (why not give a crib a grown-up visual upgrade?) or children’s bedroom. “Don’t play it safe with this idea—explore and embrace it,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “I recommend taking a risk with color while still leaning into natural hues.”
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Use Geometric Shapes
Use geometric patterns, like color blocking squares, arches, and circles to make your space feel more playful. “There are several ways to achieve this depending on the look and size of the design,” says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr. After applying a base coat, use painters tape to mask out the design you wish to create; apply your color of choice and then peel off the masking tape once the paint dries.
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Wall Painting Prep
Before trying one of these DIY paint projects, brush up on your wall-painting technique to ensure you get the best finish. Always clean your walls, lay down drop cloths, and cover baseboards, trim, and the ceiling with painters tape before you begin. Then grab your brushes, rollers, and a few cans of paint.
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Easy Patterned Wall
This freehand wall painting idea is easier than it looks. Start by sketching out a pattern of dashes, dots, and zigzags, or find one online to re-create. Dip a 1-inch angle brush into a small amount of paint and begin applying the pattern, working from an upper corner across and down the wall. A slightly imperfect pattern is the goal, so don’t worry about uneven spacing or varying brushstrokes.
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Painted Arch Ideas
Paint an arch accent wall to create a sense of depth and architectural character. Go with a single arch shape or string a few together for a scalloped design. To achieve a perfectly rounded top, secure a piece of string to the wall and pull it taut as you trace a semi-circular shape with a pencil. Extend the lines straight down the wall and mark off with painters tape. Use a small brush around the edges and fill in the middle with a roller.
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