Move Over, Painted Arches—This Is the Next Big Paint Trend

Dining Nook

Medina of Grillo Designs uses a muted mustard paint color to carve out a distinct dining area in her home. Here, a faux chair rail frames the nook perfectly, creating a cozy space that’s reminiscent of a café (remember those?). Wall-mounted bookshelves and a white tulip table complete the scene.

Make Waves

Who says color blocks have to include straight lines? In this bedroom, designed by Jade and Anthony of House of Chais, a half-painted wall with a scalloped edge gives the illusion of a wall-to-wall headboard. The bedroom is decked out with a woven statement pendant and a neutral palette. Paired with the statement art above the bed, the scalloped wall grounds the lower half of the room and accentuates the bed frame’s low profile.

Keep It Colorful

Upon entering Instagrammer Paulo D’Agostino Bowe’s home, you won’t find a lot of white space. As you’ll quickly gather from Paulo’s Instagram feed, mr_goldhouse, his home is doused in rich color from ceiling to trim. It’s no surprise that his take on the half-painted wall incorporates two different shades of pink and extends onto the fifth wall. The color pairing is muted, yet cheerful, and by keeping the dining room furniture and accessories neutral, Paulo’s paint selection really shines.

DIY Wainscotting

If you’d like to kick the DIY up a notch, try adding wainscoting or board-and-batten trim. Here, Suzy of Sweet Bungalow did just that in her entryway. The moody green shade lets the grooved storage piece (also a DIY!) shine while adding a contrasting pop of color to an otherwise neutral space. Board-and-batten like Suzy’s would also look stunning painted in a luxe navy or charcoal.

Neutral Ground

While some choose to go for a high-contrast look with their color-blocked walls, neutral shades are worth considering. In her Munich home, Mani of Afro Bohemian Living pairs a light beige paint color with warm white, making for a subtle, yet impactful dining space. We love the way the black-and-white striped bar stools shine against the beige. Mani pulls this off perfectly in her home.

Seeing Stripes

The key to a well-done color-blocked wall is a sharp line. Ana Isaza Carpio of Modern House Vibes took things a step further by adding an additional strip of color—sort of like a racing stripe. Achieving this look is simple: Once you’ve outlined your faux chair rail with painter's tape, simply add a second row an inch or so above the first line. Then, paint directly over the lower piece of tape and up to the top. In Ana’s home, we love how the white stripe between the pink sections mimics the white floating shelves hung above.

Spa Vibes

Because of their small size, bathrooms can be the perfect place to play with color. In this bright and airy bathroom designed by Light and Dwell, soothing sage green pairs well with the marble sink basin and warm wooden vanity. This space also includes beadboard, which is a type of wall paneling that is relatively simple to install. The beadboard’s texture adds another element to the room, creating a delightful layered look.

Go Green

Paint can help accentuate a space’s decor style. Take this New York City bedroom, for example. Influencer Jessie Ruane, a.k.a. Jessie Finds, paired a rich olive green with walnut-toned furniture and midcentury pieces. The result is a modern space that gives a nod to funky ‘70s decor styles. Art is hung in the white space above the green, and the chrome accents add a certain retro flair to the room.

Pattern Play

We’ve seen how paint can accentuate a space. Jackie of Finding Lovely took things up a notch in her son's room by pairing deep green paint (and board-and-batten trim) with a black-and-white patterned wallpaper. The result is a whimsical space that is simultaneously sophisticated and kid-friendly.

Even if you don’t have or plan to add trim to your home, a half-wallpapered, half-painted wall would deliver a similarly fun impact. The combination would look particularly stunning in a small powder room or entryway.

A Little Extra Color

Anyone who enters this home in Lancashire, England will be greeted by a pink door and understated color blocking. Paula of Home By Polly went with gray for the faux chair rail which lines her entryway. To create contrast and add a little something extra, Paula painted a gold stripe about a half-inch above the gray. From afar, the gold looks nearly like three-dimensional trim. We love how whimsical this accent wall looks when paired with the blush-colored door.