What’s the difference between standard painting and decorative painting? We’ll give you a clue – and it’s right there in the name!

Of course, you could argue that all types of painting are decorative, given the way in which you’re looking to produce an attractive result. From homes to offices to commercial premises, we paint for one reason and one reason alone – to make things look good. However, there is still a difference between standard painting and decorative painting, which we will be looking at in a little more detail now.

A Blank Canvas

When it comes to painting walls and ceilings, there are basically two ways you can look at the surfaces to be tackled. You can either look at them as the background assets that frame the rest of the room, or as a blank canvas that can be converted into key room features in their own right. The problem being that more often than not, most people tend to instinctively opt for the first of the two options.

Nevertheless, just because painting walls and ceilings one uniform color is the tried and tested approach doesn’t mean it’s the approach you have to take.

There are some truly amazing things you can do with any interior walls and ceilings. It’s simply a case of having a little inspiration, a dose of creativity and the right tools for the job. Or failing that, you can always call in the experts to tick all three boxes on your behalf.

Timeless Trends

As for the kinds of decorative painting trends that are making an impact in 2016, the vast majority of homeowners and interior designers alike are throwing their weight behind timeless classics. Rather than buying into the kinds of temporary fads that are guaranteed to fade away much faster than the paint job itself, it’s all about the kinds of decorative touches you know are going to look just as outstanding a decade from now as they do today.

For example, strong graphics and geometry are still just as on-trend right now among design circles as they have been pretty much forever. From stripes to swirls to circles and so on – all of these are very much in and not going anywhere soon. Likewise, exactly the same can be said for any approach to decorative painting that creates a retro affect with a decidedly modern twist. You only have to look at the immensely popular bright and bold kitchen paint jobs that hark back to 1950s diners to see this in action.

Another trend that ticks the timeless box from top to bottom is that of decorative painting that focuses on nature as a key influence – to some extent bringing the outdoors indoors. Grass, sky, the ocean, trees, flowers, bamboo and so on – everything from the colors of nature to shapes and designs inspired by nature are proving to be enormously popular.

Examples in Action

Of course, it’s much easier to get a good idea of the possibilities when it comes to decorative painting if you can actually see the results right there in front of you. Experimentation on paper will always help, but it’s not until you see exactly how incredible creative designs can look life-size that you find yourself buying into the idea big time.

So with this in mind, here are just a few examples we’ve pulled together from across the web, documenting and illustrating the possibilities when you get creative with interior painting:

Colorful Waves

First up, while there is definitely a lot you can do with normal stripes, it’s incredible how catchy the results can be when you experiment with waves. One of the best things about decorative waves such as those pictured here is the way in which they can be every bit as random and abstract as you like. You can choose colors that go well together or deliberately select colors that couldn’t have a more striking contrast with one another.

Abstract Stripes

If you do like the idea of experimenting with standard stripes, it’s worth bearing in mind that there is nothing to say that you have to follow any specific standard or set pattern. Instead, think about approaching things from a much more abstract perspective and perhaps transform an otherwise plain wall into a work of art in its own right. As can be seen here, a simple series of golden stripes really do uplift this entire room.

Uneven Tape

Next time you find yourself reaching for the painter’s tape, ask yourself – who exactly said than your lines need to be perfectly straight? As can be seen in this particular image, tearing tape relatively randomly before using it to create a border and divide between the two primary colors results in a strikingly attractive finish.

Large Letters

Another incredibly simple yet effective way of transforming a plain wall into a focus point for the entire room is to decorate it with typography. It can be something that has significance to the room itself, perhaps the owner of the room if it is a bedroom or even something entirely random and abstract. It is an incredibly simple added touch that immediately transforms the aesthetic and ambience of the entire room.

Fake it

Last but not least, if you like the appearance of wood but have neither the means not the intention to introduce the actual material to your room, there’s always the option of getting creative with the paint instead. It’s not a case of faithfully trying to replicate the appearance of real wood, but rather to symbolize the texture and the warmth of wood in something of a tributary manner.