Want to wake up your room? Everyone knows a coat of paint is the easiest way to perk up an interior. Add pattern – from simple colour blocks to intricate stencils – for a pick-me-up that packs a creative and personalized punch.

1. Colour Block

Photography: Behr

This technique (also called colour blocking) involves painting shapes of various sizes in order to highlight an architectural feature like a fireplace or to define an area or particular piece of furniture like a bed. For a simple approach, paint a large square behind an armchair that you want to bring attention to. For the advanced class, try painting several blocks of different colours to structure the space.

How-To Tip: Start by making a to-scale sketch of your design on paper; adjust, as necessary. Next, transfer your design by using masking tape to outline the sections to be painted. A quality roller and a small brush will be your best friends, and the tape will ensure you execute a crisp-lined design.

2. Fade Effect

Photography: Annie Sloan

Easier to achieve than it looks, the gradient paint effect, also called ombre, is a unique way to dress up a wall and imbue a room with a soft and romantic mood. Fade from top to bottom or even left to right for a more modern look. This technique can also be used to add character to wood furniture, such as a dresser or a side chair.

How-To Tip: There are many ways to get this effect. One method is to roll on a basecoat and let it dry; mark three equal sections with a light pencil line; roll on a darker shade in the middle section then, while wet, use a brush to blend the edge into the lighter section; repeat with the darkest colour at the top. Test your method on a plywood panel first.

3. Colour Zones

Photography: Benjamin Moore

Use colour to define zones like sleeping and playing areas in a child’s room. A more micro application of this technique is painting the back of a bookshelf or a display case in a vibrant colour that makes the items on display pop. “It adds a playful touch,” says Martin Tustin-Fuchs, senior director of marketing at Sico. “Pick a colour that is already in the room, whether on the cushions, artwork, rugs or other decor elements, to create a cohesive whole.”

How-To Tip: When painting the back of a bookshelf, save time and get a better result by removing the back panel first (if you can). Lay it flat on the floor and paint it with a roller; let dry and then reinstall. Easy peasy!

4. Two Tone

Photography: Annie Sloan

With or without wainscotting, painting a wall in two tones can be striking. Choose a colour and use a bright tone on the upper half of the wall and a neutralized tone at the bottom, or try a light tone on top and dark on the bottom. The wall can be divided equally or not, depending on the desired effect.

How-To Tip: When using more than one colour in a room, Martin Tustin-Fuchs suggests choosing shades that evoke the mood you want to create. For example, in a space devoted to pleasure and relaxation, you might opt for a bright colour as an accent, but balance it by using a more soothing main shade.

5. Geometric Patterns

Photography: Gap Interiors

Strong geometric patterns can energize a room. Picture classic chevrons on the sides of a kitchen island, graphic stripes in the bathroom or irregular diagonal lines in a playroom.

How-To Tip: “To avoid smudging, especially when making lines or squares, first apply a thin base coat on the masking tape, then let it dry,” advises Sharon Grech, colour and design expert at Benjamin Moore. “This technique seals the area and ensures that the colour band will be neat.” Sharon recommends FrogTape masking tape for flawless results.

6. Stencilled Patterns

Photography: Annie Sloan

Stencil techniques can be used in various ways throughout the home. Imagine imitating ceramic tiles in the bathroom, adding charming animal motifs in the nursery, or creating a soothing large leaf mural in the living room.

How-To Tip: Practice stencilling with paint on a plywood panel before you start on the wall. It’s key to use the same amount of paint, and not too much of it, or it will seep under the stencil and create a blotchy effect. You might want to try a spray gun for an even application. Note that stencilling can make cleaning the walls more difficult.

Easy DIY Paint Projects

• Paint the walls white and the ceiling in colour.
• Modernize a traditional space by painting walls, ceilings and woodwork in the same matte shade.
• Decorate the walls with a picture rail painted in a contrasting colour.
• Paint a hardwood floor.