A fresh coat of paint can instantly transform a space. In addition to being an easy weekend project that most people can do themselves (and on a budget), painting has the most design impact for your dollar. So, why go for boring white walls? And, why just paint your walls when you can add color to other features of your home?
Need some inspiration? Here are seven 2021 paint trends we’re seeing in the top luxury properties on the market.
This vintage residence at 418 N. Harper Avenue in Los Angeles uses a bright red-hued color on the front door to create visual interest. (Hilton & Hyland)
Bold Exterior Doors
Want to increase the curb appeal of your home in just a few hours? Using bold exterior paint is the easiest way to do this, especially on your front door, as seen in this vintage property in the Beverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles. The red door is a stylish and welcoming touch that provides a nice contrast to the greenish/taupe color of the home. Not into red? Black is another great color for an exterior door.
A uniquely painted door is also a smart way for guests and visitors to identify your home in locations where it is hard to find the house number.
The green doors inside this Sierra Towers condominium ad pizzaz to the narrow hallway. (Hilton & Hyland)
Uniquely Painted Interior Doors
You may also want to consider painting interior doors as well. Like exterior doors, this is an easy and cost-effective project. Painted doors can also add pizzaz to narrow spaces such as hallways. The green doors at this Sierra Towers condo in West Hollywood are a perfect example of this. The rich green color shown here beautifully coordinates with the blue-grey hue of the wallpaper.
The arch on its own is striking, but gold leaf paint makes it truly stand out. (Hilton & Hyland)
Painted Arches
Architectural features such as archways can really make a room look interesting. The gold arch in the bathroom at this immaculate Wilshire Corridor condominium is a great example of this. While the arch on its own is quite striking, the gold leaf paint makes it truly special. The pop of color draws the eye and gives the room a clean and modern touch. It takes the design of the bathroom to an entirely different level.
Slightly metallic, grey-hued mouldings lend a luxurious feel to this condominium in Greenwood Village, Colorado. (Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate)
Contrasting Mouldings
Floor moldings are usually painted a slightly different color than the wall in most homes but are mostly a shade of white or off-white. However, mouldings can be painted any color you want. Take the floor mouldings at this mountain-view residence in Greenwood Village, Colorado, for example. The grey, slightly metallic floor moldings give this luxurious home a designer’s touch. Alternatively, these mouldings would look fabulous if painted matte black or black lacquer.
While the owner painted the moldings the same color through the condo, that isn’t necessarily a design rule. You can opt for this look in just one or two rooms, such as the living room and bedrooms. The choice is yours. Just make sure you are using paint specifically formulated for this purpose.
Here’s another tip: If you have both floor and crown mouldings, painting them the same color will look best. You may also want to consider coordinating your mouldings with ceiling beams if you are lucky enough to have that architectural feature in your home.
Rich orange-hued paint warms up the living room inside this residence at The Pierre in Manhattan. (Warburg Realty)
Original Orange Hues
Orange certainly isn’t the first color most people think of, even if they are going for a bold wall, but after seeing how beautiful it looks in the living room inside this Manhattan residence, you might change your mind. This rich color warms up the room yet still remains true to the sophistication of this renowned New York City building.
Light pink paint adds a charmingly feminine touch to one of the bedrooms at this 740 Park Avenue co-op without looking childish. (Warburg Realty)
Paint It Pink
On the other hand, just a few blocks away, the light pink paint in the girl’s room at 740 Park Avenue in Manhattan adds a charmingly feminine touch to the room. Still, this shade is so subtle, that it doesn’t look childlike and might even be a great choice for an adult bedroom. This paint color would also look pretty in a bathroom or powder room.
The light blue paint scheme inside this French apartment provides a charp contrast against the beautiful white wainscoting. (Groupe Mercure)
Go Blue For Bright & Upscale
If you’re looking for a bright yet upscale color for your living room wall, why not choose blue paint? The blue paint in the living room at this 18th-century apartment in a sought-after district in France is as they say, “très chic.” It provides a sharp contrast to the beautiful white chair rail in this stunning European home. This color would also look magnificent in a dining room.
