Bringing Color Home: How Paint and Wallpaper Can Transform Your Space
For years, homeowners have gravitated toward neutral colors and subtle textures in their homes, and for good reason. Neutrals can bring a gentle sense of calm to a space. But today, we’re seeing a shift. Homeowners are embracing color and pattern in their homes as a way to bring personality, depth, and warmth to the places they love.
Deep, bold, and saturated paint is a popular way to enhance a home’s architecture, highlight focal points, and create a cohesive feel. And don’t discount wallpaper, which is also making a strong comeback! Wallpaper adds a visual interest and character that paint alone can’t always achieve.
With the help of good designers and a thoughtful plan, you can confidently use color and wallpaper to transform your space—in a way that feels intentional, personal, and timeless.
Why Color Matters in a Home
Many of our favorite home remodels have included a notable use of color—and we love it. (Take a look at some of our favorites here and here for inspiration!) Color influences the mood and atmosphere of a space. For example, while warm tones can create a feeling of comfort and intimacy, or even energy, cool tones feel calm and relaxing.
Color reflects personality. Many people today value homes that feel unique and personal to them over ones that play it safe for future resale value. The good news here is that you can have the best of both worlds: paint and wallpaper are changeable, and you have nothing to lose by playing with color now. You can always change it if you decide to sell in the future.
Strategic color placement can enhance the design of your home by
Highlighting gorgeous millwork.
Making built-ins into a focal point.
Framing windows and enhancing the view.
Emphasizing ceiling height.
Creating focal points in a space that doesn’t naturally have one.
The Return of Wallpaper
Today’s wallpaper is not your grandma’s parlor room design. With modern, sophisticated colors and patterns, today’s wallpaper adds texture, dimension, and movement to any space. Popular designs include
Subtle textures
Bold patterns
Botanical prints
Murals
Geometric designs
Today’s wallpaper is more versatile with peel-and-stick options, durable materials, and easier installation and removal.
Wallpaper can create dramatic focal points when used strategically. While it can be used on every wall in a room, designers often use it on one wall as an accent. It’s also popular to use in spaces that are often set apart from the rest of the house.
In powder rooms, because of the small footprint, many people feel freer to experiment. This is a great space to use bold, dramatic colors and patterns that would overwhelm a bigger room.
Wallpaper in dining rooms gives homeowners a chance to add elegance, drama, and character, and it works especially well with pretty millwork or wainscoting.
The foyer or entryway is a great place to use wallpaper because it creates a great first impression. By adding personality to this transitional space, you can define the area and set the tone for the rest of the home.
How to Introduce Color (Without Over-Committing)
Some homeowners love the idea of color in their homes but aren’t ready for large-scale changes. If this is you, don’t worry. There are a lot of ways to dip your toe into the water without being overwhelmed.
Accent Walls
As mentioned above, accent walls are great for wallpaper or bold paint. A single painted or wallpapered wall adds interest without overwhelming the room. It can add personality to a space without a natural focal point—and it’s often great in a bedroom behind the headboard.
Painted Built-Ins and Cabinetry
Try adding a pop of color to your kitchen island or built-ins. Wallpapering the back wall of bookshelves gives a subtle depth to the space. Mudroom cabinetry is a great place to try out color because it’s not usually seen from the rest of the home, so it’s a low-stakes play.
Color Through Millwork
Painting trim in the room or around windows is a great way to add visual interest and a touch of color. Paneled walls, ceiling accents, and even picture frame or box molding can be candidates for color that doesn’t overwhelm.
Layering Color Through Materials
While this article is focusing on paint and wallpaper as ways of bringing color into your home, there are other options as well. Consider layering color in your space through
- Tile
- Textiles
- Furnishings
- Artwork
Designing with Color and Wallpaper: How to Get a Cohesive Look
When you add color to your home, you want it to look layered and intentional—not like you couldn’t decide on a style. Start with a vision for your whole home.
Think about how colors will flow from room to room. It can help to think of six or so hues you like: one dominant color, a few secondary colors, a trim color, and an accent color.
Balance bold and neutral elements, letting one or two features stand out while the others support them.
Consider scale: larger patterns work well in bigger spaces, while smaller patterns can add a subtle texture.
Partner with a designer. A designer will help you choose a palette that complements your specific home’s architecture and materials. This guidance will ensure that your space feels intentional and timeless, not chaotic and trendy.
Color and Patterns Can Bring Your Home to Life
Color and wallpaper in your home are powerful tools to help you create a space you love—one that feels comfortable, welcoming, and personal to you. When used thoughtfully, color and pattern can enhance architectural details, create a focal point in a room that needs one, and add depth and character to every room.
Whether you choose a bold or subtly-patterned wallpaper, a deep, rich color, or a gentle, calming one, you can use paint and wallpaper as design choices that help you reach your goals for your space. Your home can feel timeless and personal, beautiful and confidently you. If you need help designing and thoughtfully planning your home, reach out today. We serve the DC area, Virginia, and Maryland, and we’d love to help you create the home of your dreams.