Why choose one colour when you can learn how to paint a two-tone wall using this DIY and decorating idea? If you’ve fallen in love with a paint shade but don’t want to cover an entire wall, or simply want to mix things up, then a two-tone wall effect is the perfect solution.
Combinations are endless, but a darker shade on the bottom with a neutral or lighter colour on the upper section will help make your rooms look taller! Here’s how…
Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore
If you’re unsure which colours will work best for your two-tone wall then play around with tester pot combinations on a piece of board or directly on the wall.
Why not opt for two shades of the same colour palette i.e. red and pink? Paint a shelf in one of the shades and position at the divide for a clever floating shelf effect.
You could even mix and match paint finishes to add texture i.e. a matt finish of the upper half with an eggshell sheen on the lower section.
Follow these easy steps to paint your walls two colours…
Decide where you’d like your two colours to meet – whether that be halfway, three-quarters or further up the wall. Take a tape measure and mark this point on the wall using a pencil. Repeat at regular intervals across the wall.
Image credit: COAT Paints
Start by cutting in using a paint brush using the lighter of your two colours only on the half of the wall you want it to cover. Fill in the rest of the half using a roller. Paint slightly over the point where you want the dividing line to be.
If the original colour is quite strong, you may need to take some additional steps on how to paint over dark walls.
Take a length of string longer than the width of your wall. Cover it with chalk by running a piece along its length. Stretch the string across the wall, lining it up with your pencil marks. Secure the ends with masking tape.
Once the string is straight, tap the string against the wall so it leaves a chalk line. Make sure the first paint colour is completely dry. Apply masking tape along this line to create your divide.
Image credit: COAT Paints
As before, use a paint brush to cut in around the edges of the second half of the wall using the darker paint shade. Use a roller to fill in the rest of the wall, then use the paint brush to carefully paint over the edge of the masking tape divide.
Image credit: Dulux
Peel off the masking tape while your paint is still wet to unveil your two-tone wall design. You should have a crisp line between your two colours.
TIP: Paint around windows in a third colour to create a border and frame the view as seen in this clever living room paint idea.
Paint skirting boards in the same colour as the lower section to make the wall look taller or choose a traditional white or cream to create a border.
Image credit: Dulux
Why not try leaving a white border between your two colours? Mark the dividing line in the same way, then apply a white base coat. Once dry, add two rows of masking tape, one above and one below the line. Add more rows for a thicker border.
Paint the upper section in the lighter shade and the lower one in a darker colour as before. Remove the masking tape to reveal your border.
Painting walls in different colours is a great way to make a room appear bigger. Painting a darker colour on the bottom half and a lighter one on top that blends into the ceiling shade can make the room seem taller as there is no abrupt finishing line.
Similarly, painting the skirting boards in the same colour as the lower shade prevents there appearing to be a border between the walls and floors, therefore making them seem longer.
To make a room feel larger, paint the longest walls in a dark shade and the two shortest walls in lighter colours. This will emphasise the room’s length.
As a rule, darker warmer shades visually pull a wall in towards you and lighter colours make the wall seem further away. You can make an off-square room feel more centred by painting two connecting walls in a dark colour and two in a lighter one.
It’s best to stick to one statement feature per room to avoid it becoming too overpowering. A two-tone painted wall will work all around the room if one of the colours is more pared-back than the other. Avoid throwing a bold wallpaper into the mix alongside multiple paint effects, for example.
The post How to paint a two-tone wall – 6 easy steps to create an on-trend feature wall appeared first on Ideal Home.
This three-bedroom home in East London was a typical traditional property with ‘good bones’. But it was still a far cry from the stunning revamped Victorian terrace that it had the potential to be.
Originally, the impractical layout and dark rooms stifled the space and it was prone to overheating. The rooms in this real home were small, too – the main bathroom was on the ground floor, together with a third small bedroom.
The owners, couple Erik Niemi and Rachel Williams, enlisted the help of architect Mike Tuck to help them transform their home. Here, Mike explains how he helped the couple redesign the layout.
Image credit: Luca Piffaretti
‘During a collaborative design process,’ recalls Mike, ‘we proposed a bespoke, robust timber framed glass extension idea. This would offer shading to the windows, while allowing ambient light deep into the rooms.’
Image credit: Luca Piffaretti
Now light floods into the ground floor space via the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors. A neat window seat idea sits below the large glazing, looking out onto the garden.
‘Large opening doors to the garden isn’t always the best solution to creating a comfortable and adaptable living space,’ explains Mike. ‘Often, a window seat or fixed glazing next to a set of doors can create more spaces to sit across throughout the colder months.’
Image credit: Luca Piffaretti
‘The new kitchen now runs the width of the building,’ continues Mike, ‘rather than sharing space with the dining room’. The kitchen – an IKEA hack – is made from birch plywood to keep the costs down.
Image credit: Luca Piffaretti
On the ground floor, the pitched roof extension helps diffuse light even further into the room.
Image credit: Luca Piffaretti
‘Meanwhile, the existing ground floor bathroom has been transformed into a loo and a utility room,’ explains Mike. ‘This sits next to the new extension which hosts a spacious dining area.’
Image credit: Luca Piffaretti
The light and bright new loft extension now hosts two bedrooms and a bathroom. Erik and Rachel also had a bespoke concrete sink made for the new first floor bathroom.
Image credit: Luca Piffaretti
‘Each floor is now functional and well-lit,’ say Mike. ‘Each of the floors have been designed so both the roof extension and ground floor addition are seen as a single piece of architecture.’
The brand new loft addition features large window openings offering bright views and practical spaces for hosting friends and family.
Image credit: Luca Piffaretti
The Siberian larch cladding and Douglas Fir timber used to make the loft and ground floor extensions store carbon helping to reduce emissions.
Now, the couple’s revamped Victorian terrace is insulated to above Building Control requirements. Solar control glazing and passive ventilation systems prevent overheating in the summer months, too.
Costing £142,000 in total, the result is a beautiful home that provides the couple with lots more light and living space.
Image credit: Luca Piffaretti
Architect Mike Tuck shares his top tips and ideas on solar control glazing
Original feature by Ifeoluwa Adedeji
The post Explore this stunning revamped Victorian terrace with timber and glass extensions appeared first on Ideal Home.
A DIY lover has transformed an IKEA shelving unit with a fresh lick of paint and some finishing touches. What was once a nondescript piece of furniture is now a stylish statement piece handy storage.
IKEA hacks like this one are a brilliant way to try out some upcycling, and the inspiration online is truly endless.
Image credit: @allie_wilson_home
Allie, who you can follow @allie_wilson_home, bought this IKEA shelving unit on Facebook Marketplace. She painted it a lovely Farrow & Ball green and created a wood effect on the inside with a vinyl wrap.
Allie picked up the vinyl at B&Q. There are lots of budget options like this DC Fix Oak woodgrain effect self-adhesive film from B&Q if you have a similar upcycle in mind.
Allie wrapped the film around the interior of the shelving unit. Last of all, she applied wooden beading to the lower drawer, and swapped out the bottom handle to something more unique.
Image credit: @allie_wilson_home
The specific paint shade she used for this shelving unit IKEA hack is Farrow & Ball Breakfast Room Green. This subtle green hue works well with the natural wood tones, bringing a splash of colour to her living room ideas.
For the front drawer, Allie used wooden dowling which she cut to size and stuck on with wood glue. She stained the dowling with wood wax to give it a richer colour.
She has styled the shelving unit with decorative pieces, like candles, plants and vases, as well as a little drinks station with some fluted glasses. In the lower section, there are square wicker baskets handy for stowing other items away.
Image credit: @allie_wilson_home
It’s a lovely, bespoke piece that’s also a really useful storage idea for small rooms, as it uses vertical space. We think the glass-fronted doors means it feels less imposing, and the faux plant trailing down makes it feel like it’s always been there.
The green unit looks great with the pink candles, and brings some fun and joyful colour to the space. Have you been inspired to try out an IKEA hack?
The post This simple IKEA hack has turned a dull storage unit into a stylish green cabinet appeared first on Ideal Home.
