Accent Painting

Accent painting of an interior space requires decisions about many different aspects of the job that painting an entire room one color does not involve. The common accent in a painted space is the color of the trim and this is relatively easy. You can select a complimentary or contrasting color for the trim accent depending on the look you want and the style of trim. If you want to show off the trim a contrasting color trim paint may be the best choice.

Painting a wall in an accent color involves a lot more thought and planning.

Accent wall colors can make a room or space look very elegant if done correctly. When selecting an accent color you must consider the furniture and floor coverings in the space, the window layout, how much light is in the room, big features in the room such as a fireplace, the height of the room, the shape of the space, any doors or openings in the space and the color of the ceiling.

The type and color of furniture and floor coverings are an important consideration. You will want to choose a color that coordinates and integrates with the entire room. Some colors that might enhance a modern themed room will totally throw off a Victorian style room. Think about the entire room not just the wall you are considering accenting.

The window layout is another consideration that throws a lot of variables into the paint job. Light changes wall colors throughout the day. Consider the shadows in-coming light creates during different times of the day. Consider the room’s artificial lighting. You will want to choose a brighter accent color for a room with less light. If the space is flooded with natural or artificial light you can go with a darker accent color.

A big feature in the room effects how an accent color should be introduced into the space. Big features have different colors and hues that are often overlooked in planning an accent color into a space. Do you want to use the accent color on the wall with the feature or on another wall in the room? Do you want the accent to highlight the feature or to create another point of interest in the room? If the room is small can it handle two points of interest without looking cluttered and confusing?

The height of the space can be a factor because if the wall are very tall an accent color may introduce too end up creating a tent effect. You have seen this effect in hotel lobbies. You can alter the perception of the height of a room by stopping the accent color part way up the wall with a boarder or trim.

The ceiling in most spaces is already an accent color and it reflects light around the space or it absorbs it almost totally and this must be considered in the planning the addition of another accent color. Coordinating the new accent color with the ceiling color is often overlooked.

Now for the hard part! How the room is shaped, is it square or rectangular, curved, or is it just a part of a larger space. A normal shaped space is much easier to introduce an accent color into. If the space to be accented is part of a larger space deciding where to accent is difficult for reasons that are not always obvious. The first hurdle is to decide where to begin and end the accent, especially if you are considering adding an accent color on a long wall with no corner or natural break.

Successful accent painting is all about good design planning and for the best results I recommend working with a skilled and sensitive interior decorator or painting contractor. If you know what you are doing a paint accent color can add a wow factor to the space. If you are not sure what you are doing you can end up with a confusing, busy space that is just not comfortable or attractive.