Discover tips and original ideas to paint the walls of your home

You know your home has become outdated when, upon entering or walking through its hallways, it no longer gives you the energy it used to. That, or it simply needs a renovation because your style is now very different from what it was a few years ago. Whatever the reason, it needs a change, and one of the easiest ways to achieve that is by painting your home’s walls yourself.

With this in mind, today we bring you 8 original ideas for painting your walls. In them, you will find inspiration to choose the new style that defines you. Because the renovation of your home feels even better when it carries your own stamp.

8 ways to paint walls in an original way and make your home pure trend

Are you someone who prefers classic styles, or do you need each corner to have its own personality? Do you like soft tones, or do you want a change that stands out at first glance? In either case, here you’ll find the answer to the style that defines you.

Tin of Smartcover Indoor, Smartcret’s odourless paint for walls and ceilings.

Smartcover Indoor · paint for walls and ceilings

Water-based, solvent-free and ready to use. Matt finish and high covering power, in 20 colours. 4.5 L tin.

$63 · free shipping

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Keep reading and discover how to make your walls stop being boring and become pure trend.

1. Painting walls with stripes

If we want to change the appearance of the walls and give a new design to the room, a good solution is painting the walls with stripes. Decorating a wall with vertical stripes is perfect for giving height to ceilings and achieving an elegant design. It is an excellent resource for visually expanding a space.

And from vertical stripes, we move on to horizontal ones, which help to widen the space. But be careful—in small rooms, they have their risks. The most advisable thing is to use them on just one wall. Depending on the thickness of the stripes, the room will appear more or less spacious.

It is important to note that, in many cases, striped walls can become tiring. It is advisable to use this decorative resource in spaces where we do not spend much time or in common areas, such as hallways.

Bedroom with a wall decorated with blue and white vertical striped wallpaper.

2. Wallpaper, a retro idea for painting walls

Among ideas for painting walls, we cannot forget a classic among classics: wallpaper. It is an easy job that can be done without problems in bedrooms or the living room. It is an excellent resource, and in just one morning, the job will be done.

And if you don’t want to paint? Wallpaper is the classic alternative: a renovation without debris that doesn’t go unnoticed either. Wallpapering the bedroom or living room walls allows for a durable and cosy finish. In this type of decoration, imagination is our best ally.

But if we still need more reasons to choose wallpaper, here are more ideas. It is an ideal choice for personalising the rooms of the little ones at home. Its multiple patterns are an unmatched ally in developing imagination and providing warmth. Wallpaper adds a very personal and timeless touch that can last in a room for years.

In children's rooms, animal or star patterns are ideal. In these spaces, personal tastes take on special importance, so it is necessary to carefully choose the wall decoration.

Children’s bedroom decorated with colourful patterned wallpaper and white furniture.

3. Painting walls with an ombre style

If we want to create an atmosphere with personality, the ombre style is another idea for painting walls. With this decorative technique, we can achieve very original results to completely transform any room. Before starting, we must be clear about which tones we want, although with a well-executed ombre effect, any shade can add style.

It is advisable to ensure there is little contrast between the background colour and the most intense colour, as this makes the technique easier to apply. It is simpler to transition from white to a pastel tone than, for example, from dark blue to white. If you’re unsure about the starting shade, here’s which white interior paint to choose. Similar colours are ideal for achieving a serene ambiance, while opposite colours create a stronger contrast.

Similar tones, such as red and orange, are the best allies for achieving a calm environment. With red and green, the ombre effect will be more pronounced.

Wall with a warm-toned gradient effect in a natural-style living room with fibre furniture.

4. Painting one wall a different colour to make it stand out

This is a new decorative trend for highlighting one wall over the others. This visual effect is achieved by painting it a different colour than the rest of the walls. With this idea for painting original walls, the usual approach is to opt for a more intense colour than the adjacent walls. However, when choosing a colour, consider the tones present in the rest of the room.

The key is for the accent wall to have a decorative purpose and to complement the rest of the colours. Adding colour to one wall in contrast with the others brings a strong decorative force to any part of the home. Any room is suitable for this technique. For example, in the living room, you could paint the wall behind the sofa or the TV.

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Wall painted in deep green in an attic office with desk and black chair.

5. Painting walls with a watercolour effect

If you’re looking for original and colourful finishes, consider the idea of painting walls with a watercolour effect. It is a great option for modernising your personal space. This technique allows for multiple different effects, and it is advisable to first create a composition on a panel before applying it to the wall.

The watercolour effect is a very creative technique that results in unique spaces. It is a paint technique that opens up a wide range of possibilities. The best advice is to use it in a specific area rather than on all the walls in the house.

Bedroom with a light blue watercolour-effect wall.

6. Decorative rollers for textured finishes

You can always turn to decorative rollers to paint walls and give your home a personal touch. It is an old and simple technique that has come back into fashion in recent years. With these rollers, any wall can be easily, affordably, and elegantly renovated. In no time, you can achieve a custom-made decoration.

If what you’re after is real texture rather than a painted effect, the microcement kit for walls gives a seamless finish with natural veining.

It is an alternative to wallpaper and a great option for adding warmth to the living room decor or a child’s bedroom. The idea of painting walls with a decorative roller allows for a highly personal Nordic style. The combination of paint and decorative rollers adapts to any style.

Decorative roller creating a floral pattern on the wall.

7. Painting walls with dry brushes, a technique full of character

If you're looking for a creative and different way to give personality to your walls, the dry-brush painting technique is ideal. Here, paint is applied with a brush that has almost no paint on it, creating lines and textures that add a rustic, aged, or bohemian style.

This method highlights irregularities and is perfect if you’re looking for a handcrafted finish that emphasises architectural details or gives life to a plain wall. You can also experiment with metallic or contrasting colours to create unique effects that transform any space into one full of character.

Children’s bedroom with a pink wall decorated using the dry brush technique and textured finish.

8. Border 2.0: the easy trick for a WOW effect

There was a time when every respectable home had a sponge or adhesive border. Now, instead of a floral strip, the trick is to paint the wall in two tones and create a horizontal division. It looks modern, enhances the room’s appearance, and is easy to do: choose two colours, mark the line, and paint.

A darker colour at the bottom makes the walls appear taller, and with a blurred line the result is even more original.

Living room with a two-tone painted wall and decorative horizontal border in beige and aqua green tones.

The best paints to bring these original ideas to your walls

And since renewing your home’s walls with paint requires more than just ideas, we’re taking it one step further. What is the best paint for each area of your home? Painting is not just about changing the colour—it’s about giving personality to your space and turning it into a place where you feel good. And for that, the right choice matters.

Not only in terms of the shade you choose but also in quality, finish, and durability. A paint that provides good coverage, applies effortlessly, and lasts over time will make the difference between a temporary change and a lasting renovation.

Plaster or plasterboard walls? Smartcover Indoor paint

Renovating your home’s walls doesn’t have to be complicated. With a water-based, ready-to-use paint, everything is easier. It applies effortlessly to mortar, plasterboard, plaster, or textured walls, delivering an elegant and even matt finish. No bad odours, as it’s low in VOCs, and it dries quickly. Smartcover Indoor interior paint is a great ally.

PAINT WALLS EFFORTLESSLY

Modern living room decorated in white with walls coated with Smartcover Indoor.

Tiled walls? Smartcover Tiles is the solution

Is one of the areas of your home you want to paint covered in tiles? There’s no need to remove them. With a special tile paint, you can refresh kitchens and bathrooms without complications. What matters is that the paint adheres properly, is water-resistant, and withstands daily use.

Smartcover Tiles tile paint has all these qualities and needs no primer.

PAINT YOUR TILES WITHOUT PRIMER

Renovated bathroom with tiles painted using Smartcover Tiles on the walls.

The best colours to achieve original walls

Picking a colour is one of the most exciting moments when deciding to paint your home's walls. The colour should reflect the style you want for your home.

Soft and neutral colours create a relaxing atmosphere, while bold colours help to make a space feel more dynamic and modern. The room’s orientation also plays a role: north-facing rooms suit warm tones; east- or south-facing ones, darker shades.

If you’ve already decided on one of the ideas above, now it’s time to choose a colour.

1. Bold greens: moss and olive

Moss and olive greens connect with nature and create a relaxing atmosphere with personality. They work well with light wood and natural fabrics.

2. Ocean blue: freshness and depth

Elegant and full of character, ocean blue brings calm and depth. It is ideal for accent walls.

3. Terracotta and Mocha Mousse: guaranteed warmth

The combination of terracotta and Mocha Mousse creates warm, enveloping and sophisticated spaces. It is one of the trends of the moment.

If you go for Mocha Mousse, we explain how to bring it to walls and floors in Mocha Mousse with microcement.

4. Combined neutrals: the perfect balance

Mixing several neutrals from the same range avoids a boring wall and adds depth without using bold colours.

Attic studio with a two-tone painted wall and modern décor.

Frequently asked questions about painting original walls

How can I paint a wall in an original way without being a professional?

Start with the techniques that don’t require a steady hand: the accent wall (idea 4) and the border 2.0 (idea 8) only need masking tape and two colours. With a paint with good coverage, they can be done in an afternoon.

Which wall should I paint a different colour?

The one you want to make the star: in the living room, the wall behind the sofa or the TV; in the bedroom, the headboard wall. Avoid walls with lots of doors or windows, because the effect is lost.

Which technique is the easiest to start with?

The accent wall, followed by the border 2.0. If you want texture without complications, the decorative roller. The ombre and watercolour effects require a bit more practice.

After seeing all these ideas, you can now decide how to give your home a fresh look. If you’re going for a specific room, here’s how to paint a room step by step; if it’s the whole house, how to paint walls according to their material; and if your base is going to be white, how to choose the best white interior paint. With Smartcover Indoor for interiors and Smartcover Tiles for tiles, painting is easy, fast and hassle-free. Now all that’s left is to choose the colour.

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