This Under-$100 DIY Project Can Transform a Room
With a little skill and not much money, you can bring color and character to any space by painting part of a wall
tidgboutique
July 5, 2017
Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design concierge boutique-style firm crafting timeless interiors.
Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design... More
It’s a rule that’s rarely stated but often implied: When you paint a wall, you should paint the whole thing, top to bottom. But this rule begs to be broken. Painting a “half” wall (which can actually be more or less than half, or any amount you choose) can revitalize the look of an entire space, and often with as little as 1 to 2 pints of paint. That makes this easily an under-$100 makeover that you can achieve in a single day. If you’ve been scared to pick up a paintbrush, here are some ideas that may change your mind.
When painting a half wall, you can paint to halfway up the wall or to any height you wish. Stopping the paint a bit above the eye line will let the color stand out more, while stopping it below will leave more of the white or neutral hue to create a more open and airy effect.
In this example, the room is painted about halfway up. If you want to use a vibrant color all over, this gives a good balance of a rich hue below and a neutral visual break above. If you want to see more or less color in your result, simply go higher or lower. Remember, though, that if you want to add more color later, it’s fairly easy to retape and add a bit more of the accent hue. It’s certainly easier than trying to subtract if you’ve gone too far.
Here’s a bolder example. In this young girl’s bedroom, the paint ends a few feet below the ceiling line. It brings lots of princess-ready pink, but the ceiling feels just a little higher due to the band of white at the top, so the eye gets a bit of a visual break.
Straight across. A fun, contemporary way to paint a half wall is to ignore architectural features altogether and paint straight across the wall. Painting right over this door and trim plays with the traditional forms and gives them a modern edge, especially when done in a matte finish.
Dynamic diagonals. For whatever reason, our brains perceive diagonal lines as being more dynamic and energetic than horizontal and vertical lines. This makes diagonal lines feel more fun and playful.
If you want your paint effect to feel extra youthful and fresh, try painting from corner to corner in a room or using the accent hue in an even smaller dose to dress just one partial corner. You can also use this effect on multiple walls to add small splashes of several colors to an eclectic scheme.
Tall spaces and staircases. In very high spaces, especially stairwells, a half wall helps ground the area without filling it floor to ceiling with an overwhelming amount of color. This dark wall follows the lines of the staircase, defining the area while still allowing the high ceiling to seem far away.
Notice how the lower edge of the gray diagonal area aligns to an element of the window (the bottom of the middle panes) for a little extra architectural crispness.
Notice how the lower edge of the gray diagonal area aligns to an element of the window (the bottom of the middle panes) for a little extra architectural crispness.
Faux headboard. Don’t have a headboard? Let a rectangle of paint define the bed. Match it to a side table, and top it with a shelf to enhance the effect. Even without anything else colorful in the room, the space will feel lively enough to inspire you in the morning.
Blackboard. Chalkboard paint has more uses than you’d think. Sometimes the only way to keep children from writing on the walls is to give in and let them write on the chalkboard walls. A chalkboard-paint half wall creates a space for a little artistic exploration in a way that still fits a grown-up look.
Continuous lines. This fun but sophisticated bathroom uses a block of charcoal-gray paint to continue the lines of the tile across the room. This gives the room a cohesive look that feels high end while saving money (compared with continuing the tile around the whole space).
Faux backsplash. This bathroom creates a similar look to the previous space but without any tile on the walls at all. Painting the walls to just a few inches above a vanity or a laundry sink creates the effect of a backsplash but without the tilework. Be sure to use a washable finish in a quality paint that will endure a few splashes.
Painted baseboards. Notice how the baseboards in this room are the same brilliant emerald as the walls. Painting baseboards in a color instead of leaving them white or wood makes a more modern and seamless statement. If you prefer a more classic look, leave the baseboards untouched.
Open shelves. In the same home as the previous photo, the emerald color continues into the kitchen area to add interest behind open shelving without taking the drama all the way to the top. Greens and blues are natural hues that are popular but not trendy — you won’t burn out on them as soon as you would a hot hue like orange.
Bold hue. One of the biggest upsides to doing a partial wall treatment is that you can choose a vivid hue, or several together, without much commitment.
If you decide to change the color palette later, you won’t have to paint over too large of an area, so there’s little risk in trying a fun shade like a mysterious purple or an outrageous orange.
Tip: For a professional edge line, paint over the applied masking tape with the white (or other base color) four to six hours before painting the final accent color. This will “seal” the line and prevent bleed. Take the tape off immediately after doing the final coat of the accent, before the layers have fully cured, to avoid the tape pulling off paint with it.
Tip: For a professional edge line, paint over the applied masking tape with the white (or other base color) four to six hours before painting the final accent color. This will “seal” the line and prevent bleed. Take the tape off immediately after doing the final coat of the accent, before the layers have fully cured, to avoid the tape pulling off paint with it.
Tone on tone. Prefer a more subdued look? Although a half wall using a bold hue usually creates a lot of contrast, a subtle shade like this pale gray gives a restful tone-on-tone appeal instead — perfect for a serene bedroom.
Artistic framing. A half wall doesn’t have to start at the floor or ceiling at all. Painting a frame around a framed photo or painting makes the piece look larger and more noticeable. Use this technique to take a medium-size piece and visually fill an entire wall by making the painted “frame” more than half the width of the wall itself — roughly 60 percent wider than the art (although let your eye guide you, and don’t worry too much about the math).
Mountain-scape. You may not be an expert painter, but you too can create a modernist mountain-scape like this with just some tape and basic paint supplies. By painting in layers and taping off zigzagging lines, you can give the subtle impression of a mountain vista and mix in different nature-inspired shades for the effect of a dramatic mural without the intricate brushwork.
Artistically brushy. Maybe you want a more painterly look or you just don’t want to bother taping. Simply let the roller end where it will and create a brushy end to the line. This effect works especially well in a stripped-down, minimalist space with lots of clean lines to break up the monotony (without the whole room looking too haphazard).
Brick walls. Debating between painting brick and leaving it untouched? Why not compromise with a bit of both? This kitchen leaves a stripe of unpainted brick to bring in that original character, with about half to three-fifths of the wall painted white to let the room look a little cleaner and bigger. For those who can’t decide, it really gives the best of both worlds.
More
Houzz TV: How to Paint a Wall Like a Pro
11 Ways to Make an Impact With Color in a Room
Why Accent Walls Are Here to Stay
7 Alternatives to the Painted Accent Wall
More
Houzz TV: How to Paint a Wall Like a Pro
11 Ways to Make an Impact With Color in a Room
Why Accent Walls Are Here to Stay
7 Alternatives to the Painted Accent Wall
Nova Design Build specializes in Custom Home Builds, Home Remodeling, Home Additions-Extensions and more. Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Related Stories
Housekeeping
How to Clean Your Windows and Keep Them Streak-Free
Try these tips, tricks and tools to wash your windows so they’re crystal clear
Full Story
Housekeeping
Choose Your Own Spring Cleaning Plan
Instead of trying to do it all, pick one of these six cleaning approaches that’s right for you now
Full Story
Bathroom Workbook
How to Remodel a Bathroom
Create a vision, make a budget, choose your style and materials, hire the right pros and get the project done
Full Story
Monthly Home Checklists
To-Dos: Your April Home Checklist
Kick spring cleaning into high gear, and troubleshoot cooling and irrigation systems for the warmer months ahead
Full Story
Trending Now
The 10 Most Popular Kitchens So Far in 2024
Get inspired by the warm neutral palettes, ample storage and inviting islands in these most-saved new photos on Houzz
Full Story
Kitchen Backsplashes
Where to Start and Stop Your Backsplash
By tidgboutique
Consider these designer tricks to work around cabinets, windows and other features for a finished look in your kitchen
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Follow these start-to-finish steps to achieve a successful kitchen remodel
Full Story
Decluttering
10 Decluttering Projects You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less
Try these ideas to get organized at home one small step at a time
Full Story
Decorating Guides
7 Major Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
By tidgboutique
Gain confidence to start your interior design project with this advice from a professional designer
Full Story
Working With Pros
6 Reasons to Hire a Home Design Professional
Doing a construction project without an architect, a designer or a design-build pro can be a missed opportunity
Full Story
Great article with very well chosen pictures. Well done! Waves or a skyline would be a good alternative to the 'mountains' and similar framing effects would work well with a painted floor. Painting 'rugs' to define seating zones etc might be fun.
Just stumbled upon this article.........and here’s another paint idea: I recently saw a photo of a simple desk with the wall above it painted in the same color, so that it made the desk and paint look like one, larger piece of furniture. The paint was then trimmed with burlap ribbon and brass tacks. I hope I’m explaining that clearly! It looked great and what could it possibly cost? $30-40? A worthwhile project that could be applied to several small pieces of furniture.