Give fading walls a designer-style makeover just by using colour

“I think I have a good eye for design but I want to take my decorating schemes to the next level. Do you have any insider advice?”

Nearly a quarter of people think they’ve got great taste when it comes to redecorating their home, according to a Dulux survey. But translating good taste into a fully realised design scheme isn’t always as easy as you may initially think.

British Interior designer Rebecca Davies shares her top tips that will give you the insider knowledge and tools you need to start decorating like a pro.

1. Come up with a concept

A good concept is like a good recipe – stick to it and you’ll find it hard to go wrong. What you’re looking for is an image or set of images that will act as a guide for the rest of your scheme. It could be a picture torn out of an interiors magazine, or perhaps a photograph you’ve taken of your favourite restaurant or a striking hotel.

The key is to make sure your concept images contain the perfect balance of colour, texture and form, which you should then recreate as faithfully as possible in your scheme. The stronger the concept, the stronger the final design.

2. Track down the perfect colours

Seek out paints, fabrics and furniture that echo the shades, shapes and finishes shown in your concept images. Our Dulux website is good place to start, and you can take your concept images with you when you buy the paint to make sure you get the right match.

To find the perfect paint, head to Dulux Studio or Colour Solution Centre where the expert staff will be able to mix up a paint in the exact shade shown in your concept image.

Be sure to get your colour proportions right – you should aim to have the same colour ratios in your scheme as in your concept.

3. Make a moodboard

A moodboard is like a microcosm of your finished room. It gives you the chance to see how all the colours and finishes are going to work together, and to make any last tweaks before you commit to your final scheme.

Moodboard must-haves include paint and fabric samples, photos of key accessories or pieces of furniture, and samples of any wood, tiles or other finishes you might be using.

When it comes to paint, it’s a good idea to try it out on your walls as well as your moodboard, as the shade may vary depending on the lighting in your room.

Still struggling to envisage how it will look in your room? Use the Dulux Visualizer app to get an instant digital impression of how your walls will look once they’re painted. Try now on iOS | Try now on Android

4. Place your orders

Once you’re completely happy with your scheme, it’s time to start shopping. If you’re having items delivered or made specially, check what the lead time will be and order the items with the longest lead time as soon as possible so you’re not waiting around for them once everything else has arrived.

Not sure how much paint to order? Use the Dulux paint calculator to work out the exact amount you need to give your walls the maximum cover with minimum wastage.

5. Get decorating

This is the fun bit, where you get to see all your hard work and planning pay off. Don’t forget those designer-style finishing touches, such as carefully layered lighting and fresh flowers.

Whether you’re hiring a decorator or doing it yourself, make sure your walls are your top decorating priority. After all, your walls form the backdrop to your entire scheme and getting the right paint finish can be all it takes to elevate a scheme from amateur to professional.

Top tip

To keep your scheme on-track, cut out your concept images and stick them up on a wall or noticeboard so you can refer back to them at every stage in the decorating process.