Bold colour combos were on point for this week’s episode of Changing Rooms on Channel 4, with retro shades being given a modern twist. Purple was centre stage in Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s bedroom makeover for besties Dionne and Aliyyaa in Luton. Keen to try the colour for ourselves, we tasked our paint whizz Marianne Shillingford to share a colour scheme for a purple dining room. Watch our snappy video below and read on for more tips.

Think purple is grannyish and outdated? Think again. Thanks to the likes of Netflix hit Bridgerton, purple is most definitely having a resurgence. Whether you call it granny chic, cottagecore or Regencycore, these interchangeable popular trends are all about bringing hints of the past into the decor of today – with a special emphasis on this plummy shade.

For this week’s episode of Changing Rooms on Channel 4, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen used vibrant Teal Velvet with neutral Simply Refresh White Cotton to complement punchy Lilac Orchid for a lounge-diner scheme that is bright and inviting – and with a contemporary nod to past times by using oversized florals and period features (see above). It would look fab in a purple kitchen, too! Taking a steer, we’ve brought elements of the design into a dining room makeover using lilac-grey Violet Storm with elegant green Everglade Forest. 

Just watch the video above to see how easy it is to bring these gorgeous shades together and scroll on for 5 bonus ideas for painting with purple.

Ways with purple

1. Thanks to its mix of calming blue and energetic red, purple both soothes and stimulates us, making it ideal for a bedroom. Partner it with soft, tonal shades such as pinks and creams for a truly serene vibe in your sleep space.

2. Think about the style you are achieving. A traditional scheme is enhanced when darker shades of purple contrast against intricate patterns, whilst soft lavender lends itself best to light, airy schemes with minimal clutter. 

3. In a living room, choose an off-white with a purple undertone for a gentle, meadow-like feel. Behaving as a neutral, you can dress the room with purple accessories in brighter, bolder shades to create more wow-factor. 

4. For an energetic, playful scheme that’s all about colour clashing, go for contrasting shades that are on opposite sides of the colour wheel. Purple Pout is regal and creates impact alongside limey Kiwi Crush, which is contrasting but also muted enough to soften the overall look.

5. Embrace custom paint schemes – you don’t have to coat an entire wall in purple. Play around with shapes and colouring portions of a room by sectioning off with paint. Try a bedroom headboard, canopy over a dining table or a reading corner in a lounge – the creative possibilities are endless!

Marianne’s insider tip: It’s important to balance purple with a complementary shade, be that contrasting or tonal, so that it doesn’t overpower.

Don’t miss the next episode of Changing Rooms on Wednesday at 8pm on Channel 4 – and stream this week's show here.