The decorating experts shed light on how to paint a feature wall properly and professionally

Who would’ve thought that painting one wall a different colour would become such a perennial trend? Whether you’re after a distinctive flair in your bedroom or want to create a cosy nook in your country-style kitchen, an accent wall can elevate a pleasant interior scheme to a triumphant one. To help you elevate your own space the experts at splat are going to spill all the secrets on how to paint a feature wall properly and professionally, so when your friends ask you which decorator you went with you can surprise them by revealing it was you!

key considerations for painting a feature wall

While painting a feature wall in your home is a great starting project for a novice DIYer, there are some key considerations to wrap your head around first, starting with what surface it is that you’re giving a brand-new makeover.

Surface

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: you might not be painting a stately home but when you lack the right application, you put the quality and uniformity of the finish on the line. Before you even think about buying your paint, you need to think about what kind of surface you are working with – particularly as this will affect how many coats are required to get a nice even, pigmented colour.

fresh plaster

Adding a dash of colour to fresh plaster? Then you’ll need to seal it first. You can do this with a stabilising primer or a mist coat. For the uninitiated, a mist coat is when you apply a dilution of your topcoat or a 20% dilution of your primer and undercoat.

previously painted wall

If you’re adding paint to paint, there are a few things to keep in mind. 1. If you’re topping up an existing colour or a similar colour, one coat might do. 2. If you’re painting a completely different colour you will need to be more generous with the coatings – two or even three will do the trick.

brickwork

As masonry surfaces are textured, requiring you to really get in there with your brush, you can’t skimp out on paint. Make sure you select a high-quality masonry paint to get the job done and give yourself at least 1 litre of paint per 12m² to cover these coarse, sometimes more porous, surfaces.

wallpaper

If you plan to paint over wallpaper here are a couple of titbits for you. If you go to an interior designer or painting expert, it’s likely that they’ll tell you that the best approach is removing the wallpaper before painting (including the paste residue). However, sometimes removing the wallpaper can damage the plaster underneath if the hanging was poorly pasted on.

Despite this, there are a few circumstances when it is a bad idea and might give you a less even finish. Don’t paint over the wallpaper if it:

• Peeling, sagging or otherwise in bad condition
• Fabric-backed vinyl

Size

Along with the type of surface of your blank canvas, the size of your feature wall will dictate how much paint is required for the project. As a rule of thumb, a 1-litre can of paint will have a wall coverage of 2.5m, so get out your tape measure and get those measurements to work out how many cans it will take. For more out-there projects like a painted arch feature wall, you might need to get more creative.

Placement

The placement of your accent wall is very important. When pondering over where to put the feature wall ask yourself the following questions.

Where do you want the focal point to sit? Do you want to draw attention to a feature of your property such as a chimney breast or antique fireplace? Where does the natural light fall in the room and which direction does it face? Our friends at Farrow and Ball, suggest basing the colour scheme on the type of light available in order to exploit it to the fullest.

Colour

Speaking of colour scheme, your choice of feature wall colours will make the difference between a lacklustre accent and a truly metamorphic feature. You’ll want to consider how your accent wall blends into the overall theme of the room – and don’t forget the ceiling colours!  Each shade and hue has its own merits and effects, but here are just a few suggestions to give you an idea of where to start.

Dark feature walls

A common question is, “Does a dark accent wall make a room look bigger or smaller?” And it’s not without reason, a dark feature wall is a trendy way to trick the eyes into believing a room is larger than its dimensions. Paint the other walls a lighter shade and the dark paint’s ability to recede from the viewer will elongate the space and create an intriguing contrast.

Bright feature walls

Bold, playful and vibrant feature walls are a fun and quirky way to introduce brightness back into a dark room. We especially love the new Carte Blanche collection from F&B and Christopher John Rogers. Romesco no.cb4 would make a delicious choice as would Raw Tomatillo no.cb6.

Neutral feature walls

Neutral feature walls are a foolproof way to build a timeless scheme. Whether it’s the Scandi look or a countryside reference, shades such as Little Greene’s Slaked lime-mid no.149 make for a classy backdrop.

Cool-toned feature walls

Sage green feature walls are also a popular option, particularly for North-facing rooms. Try out a cool blue like Bluebird no.651 or a grey like Quail no.154, both from Paper & Paint Library to add a bit of pigmented luxury.

Choosing your feature wall paint

So we’re done with the colour inspiration, what about the paint type and finish? Well, first up you should be looking for an interior wall paint that is both water-based and durable, these types of paints do the best job and they’re the healthiest for people and planet too!

In terms of finish, it depends on what you are going for. Do you want a shiny look that will reflect a bit of light? Or are you going for an ultra-pigmented, bold look? The former will require a finish with a higher sheen level such as Little Greene’s Intelligent Eggshell. For the latter, your best bet is checking out F&B’s Dead Flat, which offers the best matt finish around.

The tools you need for painting a feature wall

Now we have the main details covered, let’s get on to the tools required for painting a feature wall. Before you get started make sure you have all of the following:

• Dust sheets, blankets or rags
• Paint brushes and rollers
• A step ladder
• Tape measure
• Painters tape
• Overalls

How to prep your walls for painting

We all know that the key to a seamless finish is found in the prep. Start by cleaning up the area, covering any flooring furniture or other bits and bobs in the way with dust sheets, and make sure to keep pets out of the room!

Next examine the wall for any flaky, areas, bumps or imperfections and think back to our previous tips on surfaces above. Use filler or sealant as required, waiting until it is dry as instructed on the product package before getting on to the painting stages.

Do I need to prime before starting on the feature wall?

If you happen to be painting with a self-priming paint, then great choice! You can skip the primer part. If not, you will need to add a single thin coat that will act as your base layer, using a roller.

How to paint a feature wall properly and professionally in 5 easy steps

1.     Measure your desired area and mark it up

Once your walls are dry, clean and even and the area is prepped, you are going to want to measure where your feature wall is going to go and mark up those edges. Use a pencil to draw a straight line and position your tape along them perfectly level. Repeat with your skirting and ceiling.

2.     Paint over the tape

Next, take your canvas colour or background wall colour and allow it to dry for a couple of hours. This will seal the tape, preventing any of your feature wall colour from seeping through and making for a nice crisp line.

3.     Start cutting in the walls and ceiling

Be careful and keep a steady hand as you cut in around the masked edges of the wall, skirting and ceiling with your paintbrush. The edges will be easier but each side will require a good deal of concentration.

Begin by brushing on a line near the edge but not touching it. Once this is done, go back in with your next line – starting in the very corner for the ceiling or skirting place your brush to meet the edge, and only using the tip slowly glide it along the edge.

This will allow you to pick up the paint you deposited slightly below, creating an even line that doesn’t hit the other surface. If you run out of paint add another line below and continue the process, carefully dragging the paint along that edge. Then you can feather out the edges ready for rolling on the majority of the colour.

Top tip: if it’s looking thicker than anticipated wipe down your brush or pick up a clean one and brush along the area to pick up any excess paint.

4.     Fill in with a roller

Now it’s time to fill in the space and create a colour block. Apply evenly in W and V-shaped strokes with a medium-sized roller in an even, consistent coat. Once dried apply further layers as directed by the paint manufacturer.

5.     Allow to dry, stand back and admire

All that’s left is to allow that final coat to dry and pack your things away. If you have any leftover paint, make sure to dispose of it responsibly or seal up the can properly for future projects, such as upcycling pieces of wooden furniture.

Make a statement

So there you have it – a foolproof method on how to paint a feature wall that you can complete over a weekend! If your fingers are itching to get started, why not browse our rich collection of wall paints to find the shade that screams “you”? And when you’re done, feel free to tag us on social media, we love to see all of your creations.

Hungry for more colourful paint tutorials? Explore the how-to section of our painting and decorating blog.