Colour lookbook: Feature wall ideas that will refresh any room

From pretty to powerful, feature walls are one of the most impactful decorating decisions you can make – and one of the most fun. Keep scrolling for our round-up of inspiring new paint colours and clever ways to use feature walls in your home.

Creating a colourful feature wall will inject style, warmth and personality into your room and with Simply Refresh’s one-coat formula, it’s quicker and easier than ever to transform your space. Our colour experts have curated a gorgeous palette of shades that are perfect for making a statement. Plus, as you’re not committing to a whole room of colour, you might be tempted to try something different: a hue that’s dark and dramatic or crisp and bright.

Make the most of your room’s best features

Don’t know where to start? Take your cue from the architectural details in your room – generally, the spot that your eye is drawn to as soon as you walk through the door. A fireplace is a traditional focal point and you can ensure it gets top billing in a living room by painting the chimney breast in a deep, eye-catching colour such as Cannon Ball, above. Otherwise, the alcoves on either side of the chimney breast make the perfect canvas for a contrast colour – darker shades like Ink Well and Decadent Damson add depth to the room and create a rich backdrop for shelves or artwork. You can see more about how to get creative with a feature wall here.

Display your favourite items

A painted feature wall is also a brilliant way to hero a meaningful piece of art or a special collection that you cherish. Indigo Shade, a deep lustrous shade, will set the scene for an heirloom clock, a decorative mirror or a souvenir from a trip abroad, or you can create a show-stopping gallery wall by hanging black and white photographs or painted canvases against a vibrant background. Or if you’ve got green fingers like the homeowner above, bring a little of the outdoors in with a lush colour such as Teal Tension or Proud Peacock – the perfect backdrop for trailing plants, Boston ferns and succulents. Read more about our favourite green shades here.

Create a mood

We know that surrounding yourself with certain colours can help you tap into your happy, energised or thoughtful side, so painting a feature wall or a section of a room will bring mood-enhancing colour to your space without embarking on a total makeover. Choose from our lively one-coat colours such as Melon Sorbet and Teal Velvet for sociable living rooms or deep and rich shades like Urban Obsession and Indigo Shade for quieter, more reflective places. In this cosy bedroom, the soft, cocooning effect of Acai Berry stretches above the headboard and along the ceiling, enveloping the bed and its occupant in a haze of pretty, muted colour. For more bedroom paint inspiration, check out our painted headboard tutorial.

Add cosiness or structure to a large room

Creating a feature wall can also bring a warm and welcoming vibe to a large space. Painting a wall can help you carve out a desk space or a dining nook in an open-plan room or designate a space where you can relax. A splash of Everglade Forest, above, anchors this big, airy room and invites you to linger – especially when it’s paired with a squashy sofa in prime position. Another easy paint trick? If your room is missing period features, rolling your colour three-quarters of the way up the wall – stopping short of the ceiling – will give the impression of a picture rail. Read more about how paint can help to create a multi-purpose space here.