Ideas for Painting House Interior: Expert Tips for a Stunning Makeover

Painting the interior of your house can be an exciting and invigorating experience.

From deciding painting techniques to choosing the right paint colour, you can transform your living space into a harmonious and visually appealing environment. Before exploring more paint ideas, you must consider factors such as room size, natural light, and existing furnishings.

Trending styles include vibrant and bold accents, sophisticated neutral palettes, and striking feature walls. These choices, alongside a perfect hue, can evoke distinct moods, impacts, and visual dynamics within your home.

To make informed decisions and achieve stunning results, learning from the expertise of professional interior designers can prove invaluable.

For stunning results, here are some useful painting ideas to create extraordinary, personalised spaces that enhance well-being and elevate aesthetics.

Choosing Colour Schemes

When planning to paint your house interior, selecting the right colour scheme is essential for creating a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing space. In this section, we will explore three popular schemes: Complementary, Monochromatic, and Analogous colours.

Complementary Colours

Complementary colours help create high contrast. Common examples include blue and orange, red and green, or purple and yellow.

To incorporate complementary colours into your interior design, consider pairing a bold accent wall with neutral furnishings and accessories.

Alternatively, you can use accessories with complementary colours to add pops of colour to a neutral space or empty wall.

Remember to balance the intensity of both colours and avoid using overly bold shades, as this could create an overwhelming effect.

[h3] Monochromatic Colours

Monochromatic colour schemes utilise different shades, tints, and tones of a single colour. This approach creates a cohesive, harmonious look that can make a dining room appear larger, more elegant, and calming.

To create a monochromatic colour scheme, start with the main shade and then build on this by incorporating lighter and darker variations. Adding texture and patterns through textiles and accessories can prevent the room from feeling flat or dull.

Analogous Colours

Analogous colour schemes appear adjacent to one another on the colour wheel, resulting in a harmonious and visually pleasing palette. Examples include blue-green and yellow-green, or red-orange and red-violet.

To achieve an analogous colour palette, choose one bold colour to anchor the room, and use the other adjacent colours as accents in furnishings, textiles, and accessories. Be careful not to have too many competing shades, which can create visual clutter.

For more suggestions on how to use analogous colours in your interior design, refer to Lowe’s colour wheel ideas. To create an aesthetically pleasing and harmonious house interior, you can choose from a variety of colour schemes as per your design preferences.

Choosing Colour Schemes

Sponging

Sponging is a popular technique that adds visual texture and depth to a master bedroom or dressing room by using a sponge to apply paint in random patterns. 

To achieve the desired look, apply a base colour to the walls and let it dry. Then, using a lightly-loaded sponge, dab the second paint colour onto the walls. For a more subtle effect, use a similar colour for the base coat or choose contrasting paint colours for a bold look.

Colour Washing

Colour washing is a decorative painting technique that creates a soft, weathered appearance on walls. 

Begin by applying a base colour to the walls and allowing it to dry. Next, prepare a glaze mixture by combining a top coat colour with a glaze medium. Using a large brush, apply the glaze to the walls in smooth, sweeping strokes. The glaze should partially cover the base colour, allowing some areas to show through. 

Stencilling

Stencilling is a popular decorative painting technique that allows you to add patterns, designs, and even words or phrases to your walls. Choose a stencil design that complements the room’s style and colour scheme. Secure the stencil to the wall using painter’s tape, and then apply paint inside the stencil shapes with a brush, roller, or sponge. Remove the stencil and move on to the next section, keeping the stencil consistently spaced. 

Selecting the Right Paint Finish

When choosing paint finishes for your home’s interior, it is essential to consider the desired look and functionality of each room. Different paint finishes offer various benefits, such as added durability, ease of cleaning, and resistance to marks or scuffs. In this section, we will explore four types of paint finishes: Flat Matte, Eggshell, Satin, and Gloss.

Flat Matte

Flat matte paint has a low sheen and non-reflective finish, making it suitable for hiding minor surface imperfections. It is ideal for low-traffic areas or no-traffic areas like ceilings1. However, flat matte is less durable than other finishes, which means it is not the best choice for rooms with high levels of moisture, dirt, or stains.

• Pros:
  • Hides imperfections well
  • Easy to touch up
• Cons:
  • Less durable
  • Not suitable for high-moisture or high-traffic areas

Eggshell

Eggshell paint has a slightly higher sheen than flat matte, giving a delicate, soft finish that is suitable for walls. This finish offers more durability, making it a suitable choice for living rooms and bedrooms, where there is moderate foot traffic.

• Pros:
  • Durable and easy to clean
  • Hides imperfections reasonably well
• Cons:
  • Not ideal for high-traffic or high-moisture areas

Satin

Satin paint has a smooth, silky finish with a moderate sheen. It is a versatile finish that works well on walls and trim, giving a more elegant and finished appearance. Satin is more durable than eggshell, making it a better choice for high-traffic areas such as hallways, children’s rooms, and kitchens.

• Pros:
  • Good durability and washability
  • Versatile for various surfaces
• Cons:
  • Can reveal imperfections on poorly prepared surfaces

Gloss

Gloss paint offers a high-sheen, reflective finish that is not commonly used for entire walls but is ideal for accent pieces or trim. This finish is the most durable of all paint types, making it perfect for surfaces that are frequently touched or exposed to moisture.

• Pros:
  • Highly durable and easy to clean
  • Provides a polished, sleek appearance
• Cons:
  • Can emphasise surface imperfections
  • Not suitable for full-room application

In conclusion, flat matte and eggshell paint finishes work best for low- to moderate-traffic areas, while satin and gloss finishes offer increased durability for high-traffic spaces or surfaces prone to moisture and long-term wear and tear. 

Choosing Eco-Friendly Paints

When selecting eco-friendly paints for your home’s interior, it is essential to consider several factors. One of the primary qualities to look for in eco-friendly paints is the lack of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

When shopping for eco-friendly paints, consider the following aspects:

• Coverage: Check what coverage a brand of paint has, i.e. how many square feet per gallon/square metres per litre. You want to find an efficient option that provides more coverage for less.
• Certification: Keep an eye out for the eco-friendly certifications on paint labels. For example, the Global GreenTag™ certification is an independent verification of a product’s impact on health, the environment, and its ethical supply chain. There is also the GECA Certified ecolabel that provides an independent tick to specifiers and purchasers that your products and services are better for the environment and reduce their impact on human health.

To summarise, when choosing eco-friendly paints for your home interior, prioritise options with low or zero-VOC content, water-based formulas, and certifications from recognised organisations like GECA. By doing so, you can ensure a safe and sustainable painting experience.

Incorporating Accent Walls

Incorporating accent walls in your house interior can significantly enhance its appeal and add a touch of elegance. 

Accent walls are often painted with a darker or contrasting colour compared to the other walls in the room, creating a focal point and adding visual interest.

Here are a few popular ideas to consider when incorporating accent walls in your home interior:

1. Choose a solid wall without windows or doors: A solid wall without windows or doors provides the ideal canvas for an accent wall. Painting this wall in a darker hue adds drama and creates a powerful focal point in the room.
2. Use multiple shades of a single colour: To achieve a subtle effect, paint the accent wall in a colour similar to the other walls, but a few shades darker. This approach helps draw attention to the wall without overwhelming the room with a bold colour.
3. Combine paint with wallpaper or fabric: Create a unique accent wall by applying wallpaper or fabric to one wall while painting the rest. This combination adds texture and depth to the room, making it visually appealing.
4. Incorporate patterns and designs: Use stencils, decals, or freehand painting to create patterns and designs on your accent wall. This technique adds personality and flair to any room in your home.
5. Add a gallery wall or large mirror: To enhance the impact of your accent wall, hang a gallery wall with an assortment of artwork or a large mirror. This addition helps to reflect light, making the room appear more spacious.

Here are some specific colour and material ideas for different rooms:

• Living Room: Paint one side of the room in a single colour, including woodwork, to create a statement.
• Bedroom: Use a darker shade of the room’s primary colour to add depth and relaxation.
• Small Room: Choose a light slate blue and pair it with white accents to open up the small space.

When incorporating accent walls in your house interior, it’s essential to select a suitable wall and choose a complementary colour or material depending on the room type and style. By doing so, you can create a visually exciting and inviting space for you and your guests to enjoy.

Preparation and Application

Priming

Before painting the interior of a house, proper preparation is essential for a long-lasting, professional finish. Start by removing all furniture, fixtures, and decorations from the room. Inspect the walls for cracks, holes, and other imperfections, and repair them with a putty knife and lightweight spackling compound. Once the repairs are complete, it is important to apply a primer to the walls. The primer ensures a uniform appearance and better adhesion of the paint to the surface, resulting in a more durable finish.

Cutting In

Cutting in is an essential step when painting the interior of a house. This technique refers to painting the edges and corners of a room before using a roller to cover larger areas of the wall. To begin cutting in, use a high-quality angled brush and load it with paint. Hold the brush steady and carefully paint a straight line along the edge of the wall, ceiling, trim, or baseboards. This helps create a clean, professional finish and ensures that the paint is applied evenly.

Roller Technique

After cutting in, use a roller to apply paint to the larger areas of the walls. 

Choosing the appropriate roller is crucial for a smooth finish. For example, use a nap of 0.6 cm to 1 cm (¼ to ⅜ inch) for smooth surfaces, and a 1 cm to 1.3 cm (3/8 to ½ inch) nap for lightly textured surfaces. 

Here are the steps for a proper roller technique:

• Fill a paint tray with the chosen paint and dip the roller into it. Remove any excess paint by rolling it over the raised part of the tray.
• Apply paint by making an “M” or “W” shape, then fill in the remaining area with even strokes.
• Keep a wet edge by working in small sections and maintaining a consistent pressure on the roller.
• Allow the first coat to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions before applying a second coat if necessary.

Remember to clean your brushes, rollers, and trays thoroughly after completing the painting job. This will help maintain your tools and ensure they are ready for your next painting project.

Tips for Small Spaces and Dark Rooms

When it comes to painting small spaces and dark rooms, here’s how you can make a significant difference in the overall atmosphere.

• Use dark colours: Contrary to traditional thinking, dark paint can actually create a sense of depth, making the room appear larger and taller than it may be. Strong colours brighten up spaces that lack architectural elements. For instance, yellows, reds, oranges, and reddish purples can enhance intimacy in foyers or alcoves, making walls advance.
• Create a focal wall: This can be accomplished by painting one wall a bold colour, keeping the remaining walls lighter or neutral. Also, adding splashes of colour to the inside of a bookshelf or a windowsill to add excitement and depth. If your house has a foyer or hallway, consider painting it a dark colour and transitioning to lighter shades.

Revamp Your Home Interior With Expert Advice – Contact Hunter Valley Painting Today!

At Hunter Valley Painters, we work with qualified contractors who can help you determine your home’s interior and exterior painting needs.

Regardless of the size of property, our experienced team can provide residential painting services and high-quality workmanship.

If you’re unsure about painting your home interiors, speak to an expert or find more house painting solutions on our website – contact us today!