Whether you’re having guests or just want to freshen things up, paint is a simple and economical way to inject a festive feel into your home, according to Martin Tustin-Fuchs, brand manager, Dulux Paints, who offers this advice to get your rooms in the holiday spirit:
Front hall. First impressions are lasting, so wow guests as they arrive with a freshly-painted entranceway. To spice up your holiday decor, paint foyer walls a rich, unexpected shade such as golden yellow, army green or rust red. Applying a pop colour on only one element of the hall – the inside of the front door, a unique architectural feature, or a small bench or chair, for example – will also deliver a striking look.
Living room. Use paint to infuse a traditional feel into a room, or to create an out-of-the-box holiday theme, without changing the furniture. An accent wall or fireplace painted in a festive-yet-enduring colour, such as soft red, creates a dramatic backdrop to moss green decorations and ornaments. If you prefer a more edgy look, paint a feature wall a light sea blue and complement it with vibrant red and rich turquoise decorations for a scheme with a vintage vibe. Either of these livable wall colours is not only trendy for the holidays, but will be enjoyed long after the decorations are put away.
Powder room. It may be a small space, but the powder room is big on traffic during holiday time, making it an ideal room to spruce up for the season. Dark and daring colours create a luxurious and intimate mood in a small powder room. Experiment with rich tones and add sparkling accents such as a crystal light fixture, a metallic mirror frame and glitzy accessories to complete the look.
Dining room. Warm colours such as reds and oranges are good for dining rooms because they are known to encourage social interaction and stimulate appetites. Consider painting an accent wall in one of these shades or go for a dramatic effect by painting all four walls. Changing the walls isn’t the only way to give a dining room a lift with paint, though: Update worn chairs by painting them a vibrant colour or a glamorous snowy white.
Kitchen. Guests tend to gravitate towards the kitchen, so this room is naturally primed for a holiday paint job. With minimal wall space, kitchens are a good place to experiment with accent colours. For a unique seasonal look, try painting the ceiling with wintry silver tones, blue-grey or soft grey.
