Design Features
Wall painting in the interior varies both in appearance and in materials. But these walls have something in common:
- A custom-made picture on the wall is not a cheap pleasure, but it will remain in the apartment for a long time – so you need to choose the image very carefully.
- With the help of visual tricks, you can visually change the geometry of the room – make it higher, wider or more spacious.
- The value of artistic wall painting is in its uniqueness, so you should not overdo it with the number of interior paintings and their sizes. Designers recommend decorating a maximum of one side or part of it.
- The wall decoration should be appropriate — cartoon and fairy tale characters in the nursery, still lifes in the kitchen, landscapes in the living room.
Modern types and techniques
Today, there are several options for painting walls – various materials, tools and techniques are used for them.
Airbrushing
The main tool of the artist is the airbrush. With the help of an airbrush, a professional can quickly and easily create real masterpieces that amaze with their realism.
When using this method, it is easy to get a smooth surface and smooth color transitions without smudges and streaks. With a spray gun, you can paint any motif: from stylish abstractions and panoramas to portraits in the smallest detail.
The only drawback of modern wall painting in the interior is the high cost.
Fresco
The first mentions of wall painting on wet plaster appeared in the 15th century, but it remains popular to this day day.
One of the main advantages of ready-made frescoes is wear resistance, because if samples from the 16th-18th centuries have been preserved to this day, then in an apartment such an artistic image will definitely survive more than one renovation.
Today, when painting walls in the interior using this technique, they copy both the painting that is popular today and create an imitation of ancient images. The second is especially popular in classic interiors – thanks to the patination, it seems as if the painting was created several dozen or even hundreds of years ago.
Painting with fluorescent paints
Paints that glow in the dark open up opportunities for imagination. Their peculiarity is that during the daytime the image looks like a simple painting of the walls with the most ordinary paints, and in the dark or ultraviolet radiation the picture begins to glow. When choosing this option for painting the walls in an apartment, be prepared for the transformation of the room in the dark.
An unusual idea for painting walls is to apply an image with a special invisible fluorescent paint. Then during the day the picture will not be visible at all, and in the evening it will “turn on”. One of the popular applications of invisible paints is a starry sky on the ceiling.
The photo shows an image created with fluorescent paints
Painting with acrylic paints
The most versatile material for painting walls in the interior is acrylic paints. They have deservedly gained popularity among both professional artists and ordinary people. The paints are odorless, easy to apply, dry quickly, do not fade in the sun even without a protective varnish and are suitable for all types of surfaces.
Acrylic is suitable for all rooms in the interior – it is environmentally friendly (which is especially good for a child’s room), waterproof (after drying, a protective film is formed – this will allow you to use the paint in the bathroom and kitchen).
Thanks to the wide range of tinting options, such wall painting in the interior can look completely different: from pastel landscapes reminiscent of frescoes to acid graffiti.
Volumetric painting
Such interesting wall painting is used when it is necessary to expand or change the space. There are two options under volumetric painting:
- 3D drawing. A kind of illusion of the continuation of the room. For these purposes, a landscape, a window with a beautiful view, a terrace, a bridge over a river are often depicted – see the original example in the photo below.
- Relief decor. The image is applied in several layers and seems to come out of the wall, this adds volume to the entire room. Landscapes and animals in this technique seem absolutely realistic.
Any of the technologies requires certain skills in execution, so do not try to do everything yourself – use the help of a professional. This is where the main disadvantage of volumetric painting comes from – the high price.
The photo shows a 3D wall painting walls
Using stencils
If you plan to paint the walls in the interior yourself, but you do not have the skills – use a stencil. Most often, they are made in the form of various patterns and ornaments, repeating which you can easily paint the entire wall.
All you need for successful artistic painting is the stencil itself, paints (often can be purchased in a set), a brush or roller and your accuracy. Just apply the template to the prepared surface of the wall, go over it with paint, transfer it to another place – and so on until the end.
The advantage of this method is not only in its simplicity, but also in the final cost. In addition, with its help you will leave your mark on the walls.
The photo shows an example of applying an image using a stencil
What does wall painting look like in rooms?
The type of wall painting in the interior primarily depends on the functionality of the room in which you are going to use the technique. Let’s consider the rules and ideas for each space.
Wall painting in the kitchen
No matter how durable the paints are, you should avoid surfaces near the sink or stove. Drops of water and grease, as well as temperature changes, will significantly reduce the service life of the finished masterpiece. Most often, the area near the dining table or an apron outside the wet area is chosen in the kitchen.
The photo shows artistic painting of the walls in the dining area
The choice of subject depends on your personal preferences:
- a neutral landscape, panorama or abstraction will correct the geometry of the room;
- a still life, a view of a cafe or restaurant dish will set the right atmosphere.
The photo shows a painting with acrylic paints in the kitchen
Wall painting in the bedroom
No matter what style the bedroom is decorated in, this room is primarily a place to recuperate. Therefore, there should be no aggressive or bright art – only gentle colors, smooth lines, neutral sketches.
The most suitable subjects are flora and fauna, calm landscapes (without waterfalls and elements), 3D panoramas.
If you still prefer more active paintings – place them behind the headboard of the bed and plan the arrangement of furniture so that nothing is reflected in the mirrors. This way you will see the fresco not before going to bed, but only after waking up.
In the photo, plant motives behind the headboard
Wall painting in the living room
The only room in which there are practically no restrictions on the choice of subject is the hall. The main requirement is that the image should match the style and temperament of the entire interior.
In the living room, most often they depict a natural or urban landscape, abstraction, reproduction of a famous painting, portraits of people.
Based on the style, choose as follows:
- flowering gardens and marine landscapes for a classic interior;
- black and white colors in abstraction suit minimalism and hi-tech;
- lavender fields will fit best into Provence.
The photo shows an example of interior wall painting in a studio
In a children’s room
When decorating a children’s room, every adult has the right to become a child again and throw away all boundaries! Most often, the brightest colors and unusual stories are used here. Fairy tale and cartoon characters, magical forests and castles, favorite animals — these are not all the options for a child’s room.
For painting a wall on wallpaper or plaster, use organic acrylic paints — unlike oil paints and any others, they are safe and environmentally friendly.
Examples in the hallway and corridor
Using wall painting in the interior of the hallway will make this boring space much more interesting. Choose only one most noticeable side and place an abstract canvas or a view of a city with streets on it.
Since the painting itself is an accent in the interior, you should not use bright colors in small rooms – a black and white palette or even a single-color drawing is possible.
The photo shows a drawing on the wall in the hallway
Choosing a drawing and subject
We have already touched on the subject of the paintings and said that it should correspond to the room. Let’s take a closer look at the design choice.
Living room.
- Yes: abstraction with a 3D effect, nature, city, portraits, geometry, graffiti.
- No: food, fairy-tale scenes.
Kitchen.
- Yes: food, ready meals, still lifes, kitchen utensils, a photograph of a cafe or restaurant.
- No: children’s drawings, cartoon characters, dark tragic paintings.
Bedroom.
- Yes: landscapes, flowers, abstractions.
- No: scenes of aggression, animals, large portraits, raging elements, bright acid paintings.
Study.
- Yes: book covers or shelves with them, classical paintings, maps of countries or the world.
- No: children’s scenes on a bright background, food, flowers, animals, graffiti.
Bathroom.
- Yes: marine theme, landscape, flowers, abstraction.
- No: large images of people and animals, still life.
The photo shows an artistic painting with fairy tale characters.
Based on the interior style, the following patterns can be distinguished:
- Modern. Abstract motifs, large flowers, airbrushing, reproductions of paintings by contemporary artists are suitable.
- Classic. Wall painting in the form of a landscape, floral details, reproductions of classical canvases, ornaments are ideal.
- Oriental. Ornaments and arabesques, images of dragons, hieroglyphs, reproductions of Guohua paintings will best reflect the trends.
- Provence. The main element of the decor is flowers. Roses, lavender, tulips.
- Art Deco. A geometric pattern, a repeating pattern or an image imitating marble texture will fit perfectly.
- Loft. If the image of brick or concrete masonry seems boring, add graffiti.
- Eco. Wood texture is the best choice, a bamboo forest or a beautiful field also looks amazing.
The photo shows a designer wall painting with birds