Decorating Guides
New Ways to Use Paints in Your Home
Discover 5 ways to elevate your home decor with contemporary and innovative applications of paint
A fresh coat of paint is a practical and affordable way to maintain and improve the appearance of a home. Unlike in earlier times, these days paints offer durability and innovative ways of application. You can use them for a variety of treatments and looks for walls, as well as for floors, wooden furniture and metal surfaces. From the quite economical to the rather extravagant, here are some unconventional ways to use paints in your home.
For a sturdy rustic look, go for a rough textured surface. The primary ingredient in the composition of the paint used in this room is sand quartz, which sparkles in the presence of natural and artificial light.
Don’t fancy wall paint? Here are some great alternatives
Don’t fancy wall paint? Here are some great alternatives
2. Spray Duco paint on wood/metallic surfaces
An easy way to lift up a worn-out piece of furniture is to give it a Duco finish, which is widely used as an automotive paint. Duco paints, or nitro-cellulose lacquers, are used for a clear or coloured top coat that is quick-drying with a hard, durable finish. To give your room a glossy, contemporary look, spray-paint the chosen piece of wooden or metallic furniture with the Duco paint of your choice. (It might be a good idea to read up on how to prep the surface, before wielding the spray gun.) This finish imparts a high-end luxurious look when sprayed on to surfaces like MDF (medium-density fibreboard), wood and metal.
Tip: Scratches and abrasions are easily visible with Duco paint, so avoid using it on furniture that has scratches already or is prone to rough use.
Also, Duco is a solvent-based paint, which releases a very strong odour and is not very environmentally-friendly. As a precaution, ensure that the person spraying the paint wears a respiratory mask to avoid inhalation of the solvent during paint application.
An easy way to lift up a worn-out piece of furniture is to give it a Duco finish, which is widely used as an automotive paint. Duco paints, or nitro-cellulose lacquers, are used for a clear or coloured top coat that is quick-drying with a hard, durable finish. To give your room a glossy, contemporary look, spray-paint the chosen piece of wooden or metallic furniture with the Duco paint of your choice. (It might be a good idea to read up on how to prep the surface, before wielding the spray gun.) This finish imparts a high-end luxurious look when sprayed on to surfaces like MDF (medium-density fibreboard), wood and metal.
Tip: Scratches and abrasions are easily visible with Duco paint, so avoid using it on furniture that has scratches already or is prone to rough use.
Also, Duco is a solvent-based paint, which releases a very strong odour and is not very environmentally-friendly. As a precaution, ensure that the person spraying the paint wears a respiratory mask to avoid inhalation of the solvent during paint application.
3. Add glamour with metallic paints
Bring in an element of luxury with metallic paints that mimic the sheen of silk. Such finishes are best suited for areas like niches, bed headboards, an accent wall or even in a mandir. In this image a metallic-finish ceiling exudes opulence when combined with a a crystal chandelier and indirect lighting.
See how to add some luxury to your home
Bring in an element of luxury with metallic paints that mimic the sheen of silk. Such finishes are best suited for areas like niches, bed headboards, an accent wall or even in a mandir. In this image a metallic-finish ceiling exudes opulence when combined with a a crystal chandelier and indirect lighting.
See how to add some luxury to your home
4. Create a wall mural
How about displaying an impressive wall mural in the living room or at the entrance? Decorate a wall indoors, as in this example, where the work of art forms a stunning backdrop and transforms the look of the room. Commission an experienced artist who can do justice to your room … your own Michelangelo for your own Sistine Chapel wall! Getting this done can be time consuming and a bit tough on the pocket but the effect achieved can be worth it.
How about displaying an impressive wall mural in the living room or at the entrance? Decorate a wall indoors, as in this example, where the work of art forms a stunning backdrop and transforms the look of the room. Commission an experienced artist who can do justice to your room … your own Michelangelo for your own Sistine Chapel wall! Getting this done can be time consuming and a bit tough on the pocket but the effect achieved can be worth it.
You can have a mural outdoors, too. Here, the hand-painted mural adds beauty to the terrace wall and brings in a bit of tradition to the contemporary look of the structure.
Tip: Use a protective coating against UV rays on an outdoor mural to prevent it from fading in harsh sunlight.
See more of this house
Tip: Use a protective coating against UV rays on an outdoor mural to prevent it from fading in harsh sunlight.
See more of this house
5. Themed designs for kids
Why stop at murals? The walls and ceiling could transform into a wonderful palette to paint your kid’s fantasies. Most paint companies like Asian Paints and Dulux offer readymade themes for children’s rooms. In this room, the theme is ‘space’ and the walls have also been embellished with glowing accessories, wall magnets and suspended planets.
Tip: If you’re planning a DIY project for the children’s room, use artists’ acrylic paints, which are similar to those used on a canvas. To protect the artwork from wear and tear, finish the surface with a final coat of protective varnish.
Why stop at murals? The walls and ceiling could transform into a wonderful palette to paint your kid’s fantasies. Most paint companies like Asian Paints and Dulux offer readymade themes for children’s rooms. In this room, the theme is ‘space’ and the walls have also been embellished with glowing accessories, wall magnets and suspended planets.
Tip: If you’re planning a DIY project for the children’s room, use artists’ acrylic paints, which are similar to those used on a canvas. To protect the artwork from wear and tear, finish the surface with a final coat of protective varnish.
6. Install an epoxy paint flooring
Exposed concrete floors in areas like the balcony, an open terrace, the garage or the basement can sometimes look ugly and grubby. Consider upgrading these surfaces with a coat of epoxy paint. Epoxy coating is directly painted on the floor after elaborate cleaning and surface preparation of the floor. It has very good anti-bacterial and anti-skid properties. Here is an example of hand-painted epoxy flooring. See how beautifully the flooring design transforms into a work of art.
Tip: An epoxy floor is a long-lasting and durable option but may develop cracks over a period of time. To maintain its longevity and sheen, re-finish it with a fresh coating after 5-10 years. A professionally installed and well maintained floor can last for decades. Its routine cleaning should include basic sweeping and mopping. Try to avoid acid cleaners or strong soap-based cleaners as they may de-gloss or fade the colour of the floor.
Exposed concrete floors in areas like the balcony, an open terrace, the garage or the basement can sometimes look ugly and grubby. Consider upgrading these surfaces with a coat of epoxy paint. Epoxy coating is directly painted on the floor after elaborate cleaning and surface preparation of the floor. It has very good anti-bacterial and anti-skid properties. Here is an example of hand-painted epoxy flooring. See how beautifully the flooring design transforms into a work of art.
Tip: An epoxy floor is a long-lasting and durable option but may develop cracks over a period of time. To maintain its longevity and sheen, re-finish it with a fresh coating after 5-10 years. A professionally installed and well maintained floor can last for decades. Its routine cleaning should include basic sweeping and mopping. Try to avoid acid cleaners or strong soap-based cleaners as they may de-gloss or fade the colour of the floor.
Take a look at the incredible oceanic effect created by a 3D epoxy floor with images of life-sized fish swimming in the deep.
This specialised effect is created by a multi-layered application of base coats of various types of epoxy, a special film with the angled image and a top coat of special translucent epoxy paint. These are available in different options, such as plants, animals, corals, and other interesting themes. You need expert professionals to create this amazing flooring.
Read more:
8 Smile-Inducing Paint Palettes
5 Extraordinary Ways to Dress Up Your Walls
Tell us:
What are the innovative ways in which you have used paint in your home? Share in the Comments section below.
This specialised effect is created by a multi-layered application of base coats of various types of epoxy, a special film with the angled image and a top coat of special translucent epoxy paint. These are available in different options, such as plants, animals, corals, and other interesting themes. You need expert professionals to create this amazing flooring.
Read more:
8 Smile-Inducing Paint Palettes
5 Extraordinary Ways to Dress Up Your Walls
Tell us:
What are the innovative ways in which you have used paint in your home? Share in the Comments section below.
To heighten the decor of any room, consider two-tone smooth textured paint. Some special-effects paints, usually as water-based or translucent top coats, can be applied on a base coat to create specific effects on the wall, such as sponging, distressing, stippling, brushing, ragging, graining, trompe l’oeil, and so on. Done successfully, you get an effect of marble, stucco or an antique finish and many others. For an accent wall, choose a shade that provides contrast to the rest of the space.