TOP ROW:
1. If you have the guts, and the time, to pull off something like this, definitely keep the furniture simple to let the paint job shine. I can imagine this in black and white, or maybe even gold or silver, adding a bit of punch to a small room, like an entry way. From Skona Hem.
2. You may have heard of painting the ceiling, but here, painting the ceiling and a single wall elevates the walls and ceiling into floating panes of color. Hus & Hem via Plenty of Colour.
3. Extending the painted ceiling a few feet below onto the walls makes the bedroom in this modern farmhouse even cozier.
4. Why not paint the door, too? From House to Home.
5. What about painting just the door? In this intriguing room from Design*Sponge, a two-tone door adds an interesting dose of geometry.
BOTTOM ROW:
6. Or you could just paint half the walls — it's eye-catching and it's half the work. Painting the door, too, keeps it from looking haphazard. Deuce Cities Henhouse via Apartment Therapy.
7. A deep crown mold and a bold painted ceiling make for an interesting mix of the classic and the unexpected. Sara Story Design via Apartment Therapy.
8. Another take on the idea of painting half the room — this time, a thin, contrasting horizontal stripe adds a bit of architectural appeal. From Skona Hem.
9. If you're very ambitious, you could try this effect, with two different stripes in varying heights. Laser level (and lots of patience) recommended. From Skona Hem.
10. The floating red square turns this wall into a piece of art; painting the door extends the idea into the next room. Abigail Ahern via Apartment Therapy.
(Images: as credited above)











Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
I love the wall color, but I really want to know where the cartoon bubble lamp can be found!
Agreed. The bubble lamp is very cool.
Noticed in the same shot, the baseboards are missing. Was that by design or is it a work in progress?
Speaking of baseboards - my apartment's baseboards are just quarter rounds. Any ideas about how to give it "oomph" without doing actual carpentry (lease restrictions). Paint? Something adhered? Ideas?
@rktrix - I'd do paint. If you want to create the illusion of baseboards, you can paint a stripe at the base of the wall.
Wow. So many ideas, so few walls. I'm going to drive my wife crazy with ideas when we move later this year! Thanks for an awesome post!
I am stealing the bubble lamp idea - that doesn't look hard to make :) it's a whiteboard with a light behind it.
my living room is brightly colored
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45011248@N00/6799284267/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45011248@N00/6101523763/ this is a HORRIBLE picture because I was still painting but it is the best I have without taking another.
I painted just the doors and the ceiling in my small entry way turquoise. I did the same in my small laundry room but in orange.
I may tackle some other rooms at a later time.
My favorite listed above is the blue and mustard wall that has been divided by that small think black line. Really nice.
But the lighting in all these rooms is so bright and natural...how do these rooms look in lamp light????
@BRETT79: Here's a link for a similar one I saw at Target:
Accent Lamp with Text Bubble Shade
http://www.target.com/p/accent-lamp-w-text-bubble-shade-includes-cfl-bulb/-/A-14014011
TV Accent Lamp
http://www.target.com/p/accent-lamp-includes-cfl-bulb/-/A-14013741
My new favorite paint idea is to paint the edge of a door a bright accent color. I did my son's door in flaming orange and it's great! A little surprise when you open it and easy enough to change when you want to try something new.
I'm slowly painting the insides of my linen closet, cleaning closet, pantry etc. with the same wonderful intense periwinkle color. It's a color I love, but I don't want it on walls of my rooms. I love seeing that jolt of color when I open the closets, though.
I really like the idea of painting the edge of a door. I might try that.
Any ideas about where to find that skinny console table (or something similar) in the first shot? It looks like Room & Board's Slim collection, but it's not. Love/need/must have it.
ENVY. That is what I have when I see a painted ceiling. lots and lots of ENVY.
Stupid popcorn.
Love #2, 6, and 9.
hahaha edd fear, i was thinking the same thing!!
if y'all are loving the colourful walls, check out the small cool kitchen contest; there are some right bright and cheerful entries ;0)
1, 7, 8, and 9 for me. I get a bit nostalgic about that pink and black design, something about those colors reminds me of someone.
per request of the tiny person living in the room, we painted it as a "baseball field". green from the baseboards (though those were left alone) to chair rail height, then light blue the rest of the way up the walls. so we'll have to repaint it at some point down the road if we sell, but why not enjoy the space every day until then :D
I had a dark panelled room to turn into a "pretty pink princess" room for my then-4yo daughter. Painted panelling can be pretty nasty -- but the previous owners put up the panelling over damaged wallboard, so with all the other projects that needed doing, I took the fastest route to a pretty room.
The original idea was to use candy-colored sample paints to pick out the vertical stripes in the panelling. I can't show you how it looks, because my daughter spotted hot pink removable butterfly stickers and asked for a change in plans. If she tires of butterflies, I'm going to float the idea again, because I'd love to have a room like that!
ooooh, i never thought of painting just the bottom of the wall. that would make things easier with our high ceilings!
Love the peach and black. Gave the room a very vintage feel.
@BRETT79 http://www.scandinaviandesigncenter.de/Products/eur1/Lighting/Wall+Lamps/10759/Snakkes+Wandleuchte
Does anyone know where the sideboard in number 9 is from?
@2kidsandus, SERIOUSLY. I'm working on applying parental filters to my computer so I never have to see a painted ceiling again... or at least until I move. Who's idea was this textured nonsense anyways?
What color/brand is the peachy pink in #9? Anyone know?
the pink/red room is my favorite. it's funky as all get out but totally understated at the same time. i love that. not to mention i want to dangle my head off that exceptionally comfortable looking couch.
I LOVE #2. So cheerful, it makes me so happy. I want to paint my room the same color. Any suggestions?
I really love the ceiling on #3 - but my ceilings aren't quite as high as those. Any idea if painting that way will make my room look smaller or larger? Am thinking of a dusty/duksy rose color.
And any tips on how to physically do that painting? Is a laser level (or something similar) the best way to get the straight lines all around the room?
This is simply the best idea I read. With the guts in changing paint, like Streamline Painting Denver, you can surely have a brand new home without spending too much. You can also use this as a way to express your thoughts and ideas in redecorating your home.