Up Your Color Game: 7 Reasons to Paint Things the Same Color as the Walls

My friend’s newly purchased apartment includes a short interior staircase and I suggested she paint the stair rails the same color as the (blue) wall behind them. Will she do it? She’s thinking about it. There are many good reasons to try this painting technique; here are seven along with pictures to illustrate the strategy.

1. Small Space Solution: Having a lot of furniture in a small apartment can look and feel cluttered, but a smart way to mitigate this is to paint something the same color as the walls, like these bookshelves. You have all the function and it keeps the room looking more open.

2. Unify a room: Painting the fireplace, trim and walls the same color creates a warm, cozy backdrop for this room and allows the warmth of the orange chairs and rug to stand out.

3. Create the illusion of built-ins: Built-ins lend a sense of permanency to a room, but if you rent or can’t afford to add them, painting shelves the same color as your walls offers a similar effect.

4. Hide unattractive or utilitarian features: Pegboard has a nostalgic quality, but if you’re going for a more modern look, you can disguise it with paint.

5. Add drama: There’s something really chic and modern about this approach to painting. Above, the black accent wall is dramatic enough and the addition of the black dresser definitely ups the design ante.

6. Define a space: Painting both the wall and bench of this nook the same color defines this area as a mini-mudroom.

7. Add texture: In this small apartment, the frames add texture and visual interest but, painted the same color as the wall, don’t overwhelm the small room.