Forget Your Living Room Walls — My Mom’s Underrated Paint Trick Is So Much Better

In 2009, my mom embarked on a full remodel of our home on Cape Cod. When the renovation was finally complete, she brought in a designer friend to help decorate — and there, my love of interior design was born. I loved watching them work, mixing and matching tiles, swatches, and paint chips; sourcing the furniture; and styling the shelves with sentimental treasures and vintage gems. It was such a wonderful experience to get to watch my mom bring her dream home to life.

Now, 17 years later (and with some actual design experience under my belt), I find myself noticing the little things about my childhood home. I have a newfound appreciation for some of the design details and choices I never paid attention to before. On a recent visit, I actually spotted something working well in my mom’s living room that Apartment Therapy reported on just a few months ago: the Peekaboo Paint Theory! 

I recommend you check out the original article for more color (ha!) on this trend. But in short, the Peekaboo Paint Theory refers to a design trick where you paint overlooked, unexpected areas of your home with a fun pop of color. Painting these hidden spots is also a great opportunity to experiment with using bolder colors in small doses. 

It’s easy to see why designers love this trick. The Peekaboo Paint method is a quick and inexpensive way to make your space feel extra-special. From the inside of cabinets and the backs of closets to the edges of a door, there are so many different ways to try the trend. 

For many designers, the Peekaboo Paint Theory isn’t even a “trend” so much as a timeless trick in their tool belt. My mom’s designer friend used it 17 years ago, painting the back wall of our built-in bookshelves a pale yellow (the same color as the walls of the adjacent dining room). It’s a subtle detail, but it’s impactful. Against the white of the trim and woodwork, this warm, sunny shade adds just enough contrast and depth to make the built-ins — and everything in them — pop. 

Not only does this design move make the space feel cohesive, layered, and curated, the pop of color also highlights all the fun, precious trinkets displayed there. My mom loved this little detail then and still does now: With the back of the shelves painted, the “memories of times with my family stand out,” she says. “From old antiques from the attic to fun shopping experiences on the Cape … I never tire of the display.”  

As a fellow collector of funky pieces and sentimental trinkets (a trait I clearly inherited from my parents), I can’t wait to try the theory out in my own space. Maybe the back of my IKEA BILLY Bookcases could use a pop of paint?