A FRESH COAT FOR A FRESH START
Simple paint projects to refresh your home for the year ahead.
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January is the time to press reset after the silly season and the hustle and bustle of hosting friends and family. And what better way to embrace the feeling of freshness than updating the place where you begin and end the day - the home. This doesn’t need to be daunting, as not every paint job needs to be a four wall, ceiling and woodwork repaint. Sometimes smaller projects can create the biggest difference to refresh a space, also without costing the world.
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Painted Portals
Hallways benefit from being decorated with a concise palette to create a smart and classic scheme. A strong contrasting colour offers a fantastic opportunity to highlight architectural features such as architraves, doors and cornicing. If you have an off white or lighter shade on the walls, pick out a key focal point in the space and highlight this with a bolder tone. Opt for a deep graphite-green such as Ashwood Moss 1484 from our 2025 Colour Trends Palette for a contemporary twist on the traditional black and white combination.
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Vibrant Vistas
Painting your stairs a bold colour adds sophistication and drama. Creating visual impact where it isn’t expected, this technique will make the staircase a centrepiece rather than a transitional space. A scarlet pop or yellow ray here not only brings warmth to an often-overlooked zone, but gives it a somewhat playful, and character filled feeling. For a more subtle approach, opt for an earthy neutral such as forest green or terracotta and pair with artwork or decorative features in a similar hue to bring the space together with sophisticated elegance. Paint the tops or fronts of each step for an easy take on this look or go all in and drench the stairs for maximum impact.
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Forgotten Faces
It is often forgotten that a room is not always just four walls and a ceiling on which you can paint. Injecting a flash of fluorescence to the underside of an entryway will create a highlight and is guaranteed to boost the room’s mood, as well as framing the vista from one room to another. Alternatively, adding a contrasting cooler accent to a warmer colour-drenched space adds definition, turning challenging architectural elements into eye-catching features, such as a disused doorway into a mirror-backed shelving unit.
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Trendy Texture
Create interest in any room by adding and painting textured wall panelling. Requiring minimal investment, this is a quick and easy way to update any space in your home with a smart, tailored look. Picking the right colour is key; if you prefer a subtle and elegant aesthetic consider a tonal scheme, with the panelling matched to the wall colour then layer with accessories in similar hues. To add more impact, pick a complementary hue to that of the main wall colour, to highlight the design detail. Don’t feel you have to wrap this detail around the entire room, covering one wall, behind a bed or a sofa for instance, will draw the eye and create a focal point.
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Painterly Patterns
Freehand strokes, from waves or stripes to colour boxes, add playful, painterly appeal as well as a deeply personal touch. Stick to simple shapes or designs and draw them lightly in pencil first if you lack the confidence, or use stencils, but be sure to arrange them in a fluid, informal style that isn’t too perfect. This approach gives fresh dimension to a classic repeat, lending a casual, playful feel. Try hand-painting chunky cabana-style bands on the diagonal to elongate a room’s proportions, choosing unexpected areas such as a wall return or skirting. Carry the intention through with one or two striped pieces, whether a decorated stool or cushions.
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Peculiar Places
The kitchen is a room that gets the most wear, yet we tend to only think about making updates as part of a wider remodel, which can be infrequent. Add visual spice to a kitchen filled with neutral countertops and walls by painting elements such as the cooker hood or island with contrasting and exuberant hues. Choose a colour that is seen elsewhere in the room such as in artwork, splashback or worktop specs to keep in line with the look and anchor the scheme, creating a space that is coherent and pleasing to the eye.
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