Paint techniques for a feature wall

A well-designed, well-chosen feature wall could be what your interior is asking for, but the trick is getting it just right, so which paint techniques will suit your creative flair?

Get it right and a feature wall can turn a room from ho-hum into something special. Get it wrong, and you could wind up regretting you ever spotted that colour chart.

So what's the secret behind a feature wall that knows how to perform? There are a few things to remember.

Less is more with a feature wall

"Otherwise, it's not a feature," says Anthony Quigley from Architecture Matters. "If you choose to colour, say, three out of four of five walls in a room, then it becomes part of the general room, rather than the feature."

Similarly, it's wise to choose a small wall rather than a large one – that way it will remain a striking feature rather than the dominant theme in your room.

"In terms of choosing which wall to use as a feature, apart from choosing a relatively small wall, I'd also suggest picking one that's going to grab people's attention when they first walk into a space. You want it to be a feature, so there's no point choosing a wall that's tucked away behind a door or hidden by another architectural feature."

Choosing a prime colour for the wall

"You should be looking for a colour that not only highlights your furniture and complements your decorating style, but it should also say something about your personality. It's your house and a feature wall should reflect that."

Lastly, don't think feature walls should necessarily rely on a solid lick of paint to get their kick – consider other finishes like stripes, wallpaper, cladding and even render to do the job.

"Texture – be it a textured paint or a rendered finish – can also make a striking feature wall," says Quigley. "Just remember that the same rules apply whichever finish you choose – less is more."

Contact an interior designer today and find out which paint techniques will bring your feature wall to life: