Paint is one of the most versatile tools in interior design – capable of transforming not just the look, but the feel of the space. With a bit of imagination, paint ideas can bring charm, energy, and unexpected detail into every corner of your home.
From creative paint finishes to playful patterns and emerging paint trends, there's a growing excitement around how we use paint and color to express personality and style.
In this collection, you'll discover thirty inspiring paint ideas that go beyond the usual, perfect if you're looking to add something distinctive to your decorating plans. Whether you're redesigning a whole room or just looking for fresh detail, consider this your starting point for inspired transformation
Paint ideas – 21 creative ways to decorate with paint
These paint tricks offer clever ways to refresh your space, whether it's an entire room, a single wall, or even a favorite piece of furniture.
1. Add definition with a painted door frame
Give your doorway a distinctive twist by painting a decorative border around the frame. Painting a border around your doorframe might sound subtle, but it can create a striking visual effect that feels custom and curated.
If you're searching for the chicest interior door colors, try extending the painted line a few inches beyond the frame to mimic the look of a built-in surround, or experiment with shaped edging – scallops, arches, or stepped lines for a playful, graphic finish. Or, like in the home of Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball brand ambassador, you could create the impression of architectural features.
This idea works beautifully in transitional spaces like hallways or entryways, where a little detail can make a big statement.
2. Enhance texture by painting paneled walls
Who says paneled walls have to be traditional? Panelling already brings structure and depth to a room, but with the right paint and clever wall panelling ideas, it can become a standout feature. For a timeless look, choose deep, saturated colors like navy, forest green, or charcoal. Want something more playful? Try painting the panels and the surrounding wall in different pastel colors or decorate with jewel tones.
Whether you stick to a curated palette or go full rainbow, if you're looking for colorful room ideas, this is one to try. The structured layout of the panelling keeps things feeling intentional, even when you go wild with your palette. It's a brilliant way to add energy and personality to spaces like hallways, children's rooms, or any area that could use a creative lift.
3. Add a pop of personality with painted frames
Transform your wall art without replacing a single piece – just paint the frames! Whether you're working with a gallery wall or a few standout pieces, painting the frames in bold hues or a cohesive color scheme can completely refresh your space.
Decorate with primary colors for a playful look, soft pastels for a dreamy vibe, or matte black for modern minimalism. For an eclectic twist, paint each frame a different color that still ties into your room’s palette. It’s an easy, affordable way to make old art feel new and your walls more curated.
4. Uplift plain walls with playful motifs
If you want to take your paint ideas a step further and embrace a more playful approach, consider painting motifs freehandedly for a personalized look, working especially well in kids' rooms.
'For a softening of graphic lines and a playful touch, introduce freehand painted motifs such as relaxed scalloped edging and simple silhouettes inspired by nature, pulling out the colors of your existing scheme,' says Helen Shaw, Marketing Director and color specialist at Benjamin Moore.
Alternatively, you could paint motifs onto furniture rather than walls for a smaller-scale approach.
5. Match walls and joinery
'Walls and joinery painted in a uniform tone can enhance shelf wealth, effortlessly outlining the silhouettes of treasured pieces and subtly illuminating artwork,' adds Helen Shaw.
If you have a room with built-in shelving, consider matching them to the color of the walls for a cohesive look. As Helen explains, this can allow the shelf displays to stand out, without competing paint colors. This will also help achieve an on-trend look where spaces are color-drenched in a singular hue throughout.
6. Create atmosphere with an ombré wall
An ombré wall brings a soft, atmospheric shift in tone that feels both modern and artistic. Whether you choose a gentle fade from pale to deep within a single hue, or blend two unexpected colors for a more dynamic gradient, this paint trick adds movement and mood to a space.
'A waterfall-effect ombré wall in a cascading ocean palette is the perfect weekend project,' adds paint expert Annie Sloan. 'Start with your lightest color at the base of the wall, then mix a little of your second color into your first color to darken it. Apply the darker color above your first color, then use a clean brush to lightly feather the paint while it's still wet, blending each color into the next.'
7. Use paint to tap into the unexpected red trend
The unexpected red theory has certainly made its mark on the interior world this year, and we predict this is a trend that will endure for years to come. If you're looking for an effective way to embrace this color trend, which is essentially where a small but bold dose of red is introduced to a room to boost appeal, why not do so with paint ideas?
In this dining area, the inside of the built-in cabinetry is painted in a deep red hue, perfectly offsetting and providing interest and depth to the otherwise neutral color scheme.
8. Color drench for an on-trend look
Looking for bedroom color ideas that are inviting? Warming paint ideas are always welcome in a bedroom. By color drenching with the same shade across all surfaces, including paneling, skirtings, and even doors and window frames, you can make a space look bigger in just a few brush strokes.
It’s also a great technique for bringing together fragmented rooms and can be used as an entire color scheme for a whole floor or house. Any shade can be used, but this dark blue color brings a snug element that suits a bedroom or cozy snug.
9. Make your space pop
Chinoiserie is re-emerging as an influence in fashion and interiors, but it has long been a key aesthetic for de Gournay, an eminent specialist in hand-painted wallcoverings.
This bold interpretation is courtesy of French designer Vincent Darré, who created this stunning dining room color scheme for the private apartment of de Gournay’s Paris showroom. The primary colors of the scene dazzle against a black background and Vincent has emphasized this contrast by painting the window surround in a bold yellow and the skirting in a fresh green. The ceiling was painted black, which will give evening events an extra intensity, a stand-out look for ceiling paint ideas.
10. Paint stripes
Never really out of fashion, decorating with stripes is having a particular moment right now, and it's less about the country ticking look and more about adding personality through playful paint ideas.
We adore the formal yet bold style of this scene, like something out of the Mad Hatter’s tea party. The stripe upon stripe lends the room a real sense of fun – and from who else but the oh-so-talented table-setting creators at Summerill & Bishop.
11. Transform glass with a wash of color
Painting glass panels, like those in internal doors, cabinets or room dividers, is an unexpected way to introduce color and character without overwhelming a space.
Use translucent paints (like this set from Amazon) for a stained-glass effect that catches the light, or go for matt or frosted finishes to create privacy with style. This approach works beautifully in spaces that need separation or softness, and it's a smart way to turn functional glass into a focal point.
12. Add depth with a floating wall
Create a bold statement with this accent wall idea, by framing a painted block of color in the center of your wall, leaving the edges untouched, or painted in a receding, neutral color for a clean, architectural feel and an illusion of a floating design.
If you're pausing there and wondering if accent walls are still on trend, rest assured that there are many more tasteful iterations of the accent wall than the garish '90s throwback of bright floral wallpaper or solid block colors.
If you are considering an accent wall, but want to keep things chic, this technique is perfect for adding a contemporary twist. The border acts like a frame, drawing the eye and bringing architectural interest into the room.
13. Introduce charm with simple shapes on doors
Sometimes, less is truly more. Adding simple shapes or motifs to your doors and woodwork can bring personality and intrigue to your home without overwhelming it.
Think geometric forms, playful dots, or subtle line patterns that add a touch of art without the need for complex designs. Whether it's a row of dots along a doorframe, a geometric pattern on a piece of wood panelling or bold triangles scattered across a wall.
These are simple, unfussy, minimalist designs perfect for a modern interior where delicate lace-like floral patterns are a no-go. Use soft, neutral colors for a subtle touch, or be brave and use bold colors for a dynamic, modern statement.
14. Play with perception using color and shape
One of the most exciting ways to enhance a space is by using paint ideas to alter how we perceive it. Create depth, movement, or dimension with clever use of color. For example, painting one section of a room in a lighter tone while the surrounding areas remain darker can make that part feel larger or closer, playing with the room's proportions.
Similarly, contrasting lines or borders can create a sense of heightened perspective or even make a doorway seem like a portal. It's a fun way to make your space feel more dynamic and engaging, almost like stepping into an optical illusion.
This entryway color idea is a great example. 'This bold entryway design creates a striking visual effect, with the vibrant yellow of Golden Square No.131 on the door, transitioning unexpectedly into the cooler, moody blue of Burlington Arcade No.216 in the hallway,' says Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands.
'The contrasting split in color feels as if the front door is a light at the end of a tunnel. It's an imaginative use of paint that turns a simple entryway into a visually interesting space and leaves a lasting impression on guests as they enter and exit.'
15. Paint the floor for instant appeal underfoot
Designer Isabelle Lomas’ client wanted a fun, inviting space for her kids' room paint ideas that would still allow for older guests to use the room, as it was also to be rented out.
‘We kept the walls plain,’ says Isabelle, who used Willow V from Paint & Paper Library. ‘This allowed us to incorporate a chequerboard pattern on the floor – a fun element that is also hardwearing. This was a fun and playful idea that would translate well no matter the furnishings.'
16. Use paint to update old furniture
Painting furniture is a beautiful way to introduce new life and vibrancy into a once-loved antique. Using colored furniture makes it easier to change up an otherwise neutral space.
Sydney-based interior designer Tamsin Johnson developed this consciously sophisticated scheme with a rich green bookcase taking center stage. ‘The green antique French carved oak bookcase with soft yellow highlights anchors the room while the soft mauve linen bedding provides a tranquil element.’
17. Include details through paint
If your space is lacking in architectural interest, you'll be amazed at what paint ideas you can incorporate to add intrigue to an otherwise simple scheme.
Using paint in a room doesn’t have to mean optical overload. ‘This stripe detail adds interest to a bathroom that has few architectural features,’ says interior designer Kate Guinness, who painted neat parallel stripes along this bathroom’s ceiling, a great look for a modern, ceiling trim idea.
18. Use paint to create 'zones'
Gloss paint is back after years in the wilderness. In the main bedroom of this home in Notting Hill, designers Barlow & Barlow created a soothing scheme to turn their clients’ corridor into a dressing room.
As well as being light-reflective and available in a wide choice of colors, gloss is also one of the best paint finishes for high-traffic areas such as dressing rooms, hallways, and landings, as it’s hardwearing and scuff-resistant.
19. Experiment with color on woodwork
It's a classic choice and perfectly natural to reach for a white or off-white color when painting woodwork, especially in entryways, but by choosing a less obvious shade, you can create a far more sophisticated effect – plus you can use this color to connect to adjoining rooms that might use that shade as an accent shade.
Just as you would opt for a contrasting, harmonious, or tonal shade when painting a separate panel on a wall, look to use that color on the woodwork instead.
If painting woodwork on a wallpapered wall, color match your paint to a shade from within the pattern, using that instead for maximum effect.
20. Try a textured paint finish
New directions with paint finishes and decorating techniques mean dated paint effects have been replaced with sophisticated washes, textures, and brushwork. These plaster-effect paints are perfect for kitchen color ideas to add a softness to a room that's often filled with clean lines and sleek materials.
The best earthy paint colors will create a very similar effect, adding a warm, lived in feel to any room.
21. Add a pop of bold color to a picture rail
Want to inject some bold color into your home while maintaining a neutral look? Painting the picture rail in an uplifting shade while the wall colors are more understated is a great way to go.
In this relaxing bedroom, the neutral walls ensure a calming space while the uplifting green picture rail adds a fun and slightly unexpected look, complementing the green decor that features elsewhere throughout the room.
Whether you're looking to add texture to your color scheme through paint finishes or want to champion a bold approach with playful color choices in unexpected places, there are endless paint ideas to suit your space and decorating style.
