When outdated or unimpressive finishes in your home have you hankering for an upgrade, you might find yourself looking into redecorating or remodeling.
Although the use of painted or papered accent walls was once a favorite trick for adding a “pop” of color or drama to any space, the current consensus among design moguls is that this look is out of style. The tired trend is even more of a faux pas if you’re trying to achieve a high-end look. For one thing, it can give the impression that your decorating budget didn’t stretch as far as your design goal. For another, it visually chops up your space, which can make rooms appear smaller and your space less cohesive. Continuous color, on the other hand, visually expands and unites your space, adding aesthetic value even to smaller rooms and homes.
While the accent wall trend is out, highlighting your home’s attractive architectural features can be a good alternative. If your home already boasts design elements such as beautiful molding or wainscoting, intricate woodwork, high quality built-in bookcases or cabinetry, a unique alcove space, ceiling medallions, architectural beams, columns, transoms, or even a one-of-a-kind front door, create a repaint strategy that really makes these features stand out. It will add an aesthetic wow-factor while also drawing attention to the details that are already an important part of your home’s real estate value. My Painter’s color consultation experts can help you come up with the perfect scheme of color and materials to make your home’s existing architecture shine.
Many of the stateliest homes boast spaces like elegant studies and formal dining rooms dressed in deep, dark, rich hues. Don’t be afraid to borrow this approach to add a luxurious elegance to similar rooms in your own home. And while using this strategy throughout the entire house can create a claustrophobic cave, choosing just one or two statement rooms for a bold repaint can successfully add to your overall luxury look. A common fear among homeowners is that painting the walls a dark color will make a room feel or appear smaller, but this is not entirely true. How to avoid the risk? First of all, when going deep, be sure to go cool as well. While using heavy saturations of warm colors can indeed make a space feel smaller and more confined by visually “jumping out” at the eye, cool colors have the opposite effect on our visual perception, making the painted surfaces appear to recede. So skip the dark auburns, mustards and crimsons, and opt instead for midnight blues, violet-toned charcoals, or rich peacock teals.
Secondly, use paint in a low-sheen finish such as flat or matte. This will reduce the amount of light your walls reflect, thereby increasing the appearance of depth. Additionally, dark hues with low to no sheen will help blur corners, tricking the eye and creating a look of more spacious continuity. Most flat and matte paints on the market scuff easily and are difficult to clean or touch up. This does not appeal to most homeowners, especially those with kids and pets. However, My Painter offers premium Sherwin-Williams Emerald and Duration product lines, which now come in washable flat and matte finishes. So, you don’t have to sacrifice durability when going for depth.
Finally, for even more depth and richness in these rooms, consider painting the ceiling the same color as the walls—especially if the ceiling has interesting features such as architectural beams, chunky crown molding or attractive light fixtures (if not, consider adding these features as another low-cost upgrade with a high-end look). Choose a high-gloss white for beams and molding to create a glamorous contrast with the darker walls, and replace any outdated light fixtures with a faux crystal chandelier or modern glass pendant lights. Another option recommended by many designers is to keep the ceiling white, but paint crown molding the same bold color as the walls. This visually stretches the walls upward, giving the illusion of higher ceilings, another high-value design element. Repainting with any of these strategies in mind will result a bold, beautiful, statement-making room that looks like a million bucks.
Regardless of the colors you choose for your walls, painting your trim and woodwork in a crisp, high luster white will add a glamorous finishing touch. Upgrade from the standard semigloss trim work, and instead use a high-gloss paint or enamel to accentuate trim and moldings, wainscoting, banisters, doors and window frames. Update your cabinets, shelving and wood furniture with a high-gloss makeover, as well. The best part about this design trick? As long as you’re planning to include the trim in your repaint anyway, going glossy will enhance your high-end look without increasing your budget. In addition, gloss finishes are extremely durable, which means your home’s glamorous new look also translates to a greater protection on your investment.
Are you ready to repaint your home for a luxury look? Call My Painter today to book your free estimate!
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