Suffering From White-Wall Syndrome? How to Add Colour Confidently
White walls are great... until they stop being inspiring. Five paint colour experts share how to transition to colour
If your plain white walls are getting you down, perhaps it’s time to dip your toes into the world of colour. Does the thought of it sound terrifying? Fear not; we spoke to five colour and design experts to find out how to go about it.
Colour as a decorating tool
As well as lifting the mood of a room, colour can also detract from less-than-perfect features or highlight ones you love, says Bec Farrow, interior design consultant at Elska Interiors. “When you paint the wall around a window in a dark tone, for example, the wall appears to recede and the view becomes a focal point.
Looking to liven up your home with colour but need a little help? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
As well as lifting the mood of a room, colour can also detract from less-than-perfect features or highlight ones you love, says Bec Farrow, interior design consultant at Elska Interiors. “When you paint the wall around a window in a dark tone, for example, the wall appears to recede and the view becomes a focal point.
Looking to liven up your home with colour but need a little help? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
“Contemporary furniture can be paired with historical architecture when the building is painted in a modern colour palette, and vice versa. Open-plan spaces can be given depth by using different colours in the different zones, and you can soften the line between inside and out by running the same colour through both areas,” says Farrow.
“Colour is without a doubt one of the most useful tools in your design kit.”
“Colour is without a doubt one of the most useful tools in your design kit.”
Boosting your colour confidence
“Here’s the thing with paint – if you get a colour wrong, you can always paint over it,” says Fleming. “Ideally, you won’t have to, but knowing this can give you the confidence to experiment with new things, which can sometimes lead to unexpected and happy surprises.
“The key to getting colour right is to test it with swatches and larger patches on your walls first.
“Be sure to look at these samples at different times of day and with the lights on and off, as the colours and tones will change in different light conditions,” he says.
“Here’s the thing with paint – if you get a colour wrong, you can always paint over it,” says Fleming. “Ideally, you won’t have to, but knowing this can give you the confidence to experiment with new things, which can sometimes lead to unexpected and happy surprises.
“The key to getting colour right is to test it with swatches and larger patches on your walls first.
“Be sure to look at these samples at different times of day and with the lights on and off, as the colours and tones will change in different light conditions,” he says.
A little goes a long way
Fear not, you don’t need to use colour on every wall to make an impact, says Alexandra Ferguson, creative director at Alexandra Marie Interiors. “Small amounts of colour can inject warmth, personality and energy into a space and are sometimes all you need to refresh a scheme without having to go to the trouble or expense of a full decorative overhaul.”
Fear not, you don’t need to use colour on every wall to make an impact, says Alexandra Ferguson, creative director at Alexandra Marie Interiors. “Small amounts of colour can inject warmth, personality and energy into a space and are sometimes all you need to refresh a scheme without having to go to the trouble or expense of a full decorative overhaul.”
Start small
If diving into the world of colour feels daunting, begin with baby steps, says Farrow. “Try soft, muted colours such as Dulux Clay Pipe (a gentle buff), Dulux Herb Planter (a green-grey) or Dulux Zenith Heights Quarter (a soft blue). They will give you the satisfaction of colour, but are a gentle transition from a neutral.
“The back wall of a study nook, a child’s reading area, a bathroom or powder room are all fantastic places to start adding colour with paint or wallpaper without going gung-ho. If you’re keen to try the permanency of tiles, add them to a bathroom niche or laundry splashback. They’re tiny spaces so the investment is small and the installation time fleeting,” says Farrow.
If diving into the world of colour feels daunting, begin with baby steps, says Farrow. “Try soft, muted colours such as Dulux Clay Pipe (a gentle buff), Dulux Herb Planter (a green-grey) or Dulux Zenith Heights Quarter (a soft blue). They will give you the satisfaction of colour, but are a gentle transition from a neutral.
“The back wall of a study nook, a child’s reading area, a bathroom or powder room are all fantastic places to start adding colour with paint or wallpaper without going gung-ho. If you’re keen to try the permanency of tiles, add them to a bathroom niche or laundry splashback. They’re tiny spaces so the investment is small and the installation time fleeting,” says Farrow.
“If you want to push yourself and go bigger with colour, consider adding wallpaper to one or more walls in your kids’ bedrooms, painting a wall behind a bed (try a fun shape like an arch or a house) or creating an ombré wall,” says Farrow.
Photography: Armelle Habib; styling: Julia Green at Greenhouse Interiors; walls in Dulux Natural White; accent nook in Dulux Pinkham; coffee tables in Dulux Aquanamel in New Life, Gold Dust Planter and Italian Clay.
“Adding a block of your favourite colour to a bedroom wall, behind the television or the front door are all great places to start your colour journey,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, colour and communications manager at Dulux Australia. “Or add it to a home office, study or an often dim and overlooked spot such as a powder room.”
“Adding a block of your favourite colour to a bedroom wall, behind the television or the front door are all great places to start your colour journey,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, colour and communications manager at Dulux Australia. “Or add it to a home office, study or an often dim and overlooked spot such as a powder room.”
“Neutrals are a great alternative to white as they’re adaptable, will go with most colours, and feel like a safe option if you’re looking to add colour to your walls,” says Lucena-Orr.
“Some of our most-loved neutrals are Dulux Hog Bristle Half, a versatile warm neutral, and Dulux Tranquil Retreat, a soft neutral grey, slightly on the warmer side.
“Other noteworthy neutrals include Dulux Clay Pipe Half, Dulux Basic Coral and Dulux Bongo Drum,” she says.
“Some of our most-loved neutrals are Dulux Hog Bristle Half, a versatile warm neutral, and Dulux Tranquil Retreat, a soft neutral grey, slightly on the warmer side.
“Other noteworthy neutrals include Dulux Clay Pipe Half, Dulux Basic Coral and Dulux Bongo Drum,” she says.
How to choose a colour
“Think about how you use the room, how much time you spend in it and what its main purpose is. This can dictate the direction you go with your colour choices,” says Fleming. “For example, in a TV area that you only use in the evening, navy can create a sense of cosiness.”
Farrow concurs, adding; “If you’re choosing a colour for a bedroom, a soft, quiet hue might be appropriate. Whereas a space like a playroom calls for some fun pops of colour,” she says.
“Also remember, rooms don’t have to all be the same colour – each serves a different purpose and deserves its own personality,” adds Fleming.
“Think about how you use the room, how much time you spend in it and what its main purpose is. This can dictate the direction you go with your colour choices,” says Fleming. “For example, in a TV area that you only use in the evening, navy can create a sense of cosiness.”
Farrow concurs, adding; “If you’re choosing a colour for a bedroom, a soft, quiet hue might be appropriate. Whereas a space like a playroom calls for some fun pops of colour,” she says.
“Also remember, rooms don’t have to all be the same colour – each serves a different purpose and deserves its own personality,” adds Fleming.
And don’t forget the influence lighting has on colour, says Farrow.
Considerations include:
Considerations include:
- If your room is dark and south-facing, adding a dark colour will enhance this, which is fine if you’re looking to create a room filled with drama.
- Consider whether you need to soften the light bounced back into the room or enhance it. Adding light, bright colours will help bounce light back into a space.
- Southern light lacks warmth and tends to make paint colours appear cooler, meaning a grey with cool undertones could appear blue. Conversely, warm undertones can appear more yellow in northern light.
- When picking a colour, take into account colours already in the room, such as the flooring, brickwork, sofa or adjoining kitchen cabinetry. Placing two colours together can reflect colour onto the other surface. For example, a deep red might throw pink onto an adjoining wall or it could amplify a colour in the other material, creating a clash.
Where to look for inspiration
No clue where to start when it comes to colour? For ideas, Farrow suggests looking to:
No clue where to start when it comes to colour? For ideas, Farrow suggests looking to:
- Your natural environment: The perfect place to find colours that ground and soothe your soul, whether it’s the turquoise of the ocean or a scribbly gum in your backyard.
- Houzz: When starting a project, I always ask clients to show me images they love on Houzz. You quickly start to see patterns emerging of the colours they love. A quick look at the photos on Houzz will not only give you ideas of where to start when it comes to picking colours, but it will also remove the options you don’t like.
- Art: Painting your wall in one of the minor colours in an artwork can make the piece pop and give a curated, designer feel to a room.
- Favourite fabric: If you have a favourite furniture piece upholstered in a coloured fabric, create a tonal space by picking a wall colour a shade away from it.
- Plants: If you’re a plant lover, look for a colour that makes the green of your plants sing, such as Dulux Falkland.
Trending colours
Nurturing, grounded colours are popular in 2022, says Farrow. “The impact of global events over the past couple of years has seen people reaching for comfort and that’s playing out in interiors as well. While bright white won’t go away, it will take a step back to see warm whites, nature-drawn colours and earthy tones with a little charcoal take centrestage.”
Browse more images of traditional bedrooms on Houzz
Nurturing, grounded colours are popular in 2022, says Farrow. “The impact of global events over the past couple of years has seen people reaching for comfort and that’s playing out in interiors as well. While bright white won’t go away, it will take a step back to see warm whites, nature-drawn colours and earthy tones with a little charcoal take centrestage.”
Browse more images of traditional bedrooms on Houzz
“Greens, from the deep velvety green of Dulux Armada to softly-spoken Dulux White Box, are my pick for 2022,” says Farrow. “Whether your style is traditional, Scandinavian, contemporary or boho, green works a treat.
“A bit lower on the trend radar, and possibly fleeting, are retro colour palettes of playful pastels and warm, muted ’70s colours.
“Regardless of trends, if you’re not planning to sell your home, whatever brings you happiness is where you should be heading,” she says.
“A bit lower on the trend radar, and possibly fleeting, are retro colour palettes of playful pastels and warm, muted ’70s colours.
“Regardless of trends, if you’re not planning to sell your home, whatever brings you happiness is where you should be heading,” she says.
Styling: Jono Fleming. Walls in Benjamin Moore Pale Moon.
“Other colours coming through are deep, earthy browns, which add warmth to a space, and soft buttery yellow, such as Benjamin Moore’s Pale Moon,” says Fleming.
Texture is another big trend, he says. “Lime washes, French washes and Venetian plasters are also having a moment, led by a desire to create homes that feel more organic. They are a beautiful and timeless way to add visual movement to a wall.”
“Other colours coming through are deep, earthy browns, which add warmth to a space, and soft buttery yellow, such as Benjamin Moore’s Pale Moon,” says Fleming.
Texture is another big trend, he says. “Lime washes, French washes and Venetian plasters are also having a moment, led by a desire to create homes that feel more organic. They are a beautiful and timeless way to add visual movement to a wall.”
Your turn
Have you added colour to your walls? Tell us in the Comments below which hue you chose and how it looks. And remember to like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on colourful homes? Don’t miss this story: Love Colour? See the Shortlisted Homes in Dulux’s Colour Awards
Have you added colour to your walls? Tell us in the Comments below which hue you chose and how it looks. And remember to like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on colourful homes? Don’t miss this story: Love Colour? See the Shortlisted Homes in Dulux’s Colour Awards
“White walls may be the safe choice, but they can lack warmth and emotion,” says Jono Fleming, interior designer, stylist and co-host of House of Style podcast. “Paint colour can transform a room and affect your mood, calming you down after a long day or even giving you the energy to get out of bed in the morning.”
Homeowners are often nervous about venturing beyond white walls, says Frances Cosway, design director at White Pebble Interiors. “They worry the colour will date. They’re also unsure how to blend and coordinate coloured walls with other elements in the room.”