Five ways to use different effect paints at home

Adding different textures, layers and elements into our home plays a big part in making the spaces we live in feel both well-rounded and well-designed.

Whether this is something as significant as a concrete feature wall or as minor as a gold decorative item, it all adds value to the overall design of our homes.

But such features are not always easy to come by, through either design or budget limitations, so this is where effect paints can really come to the rescue.

To breakdown the different looks which can be achieved at home, simply with the power of paint, we have some expert advice on distinctive effect paints to consider.

Who knows, you may even get inspired to tackle one (or more) of these ideas for your next DIY project.  

Cool concrete

With its sleek, modern design, concrete is a popular trend within modern homes, and for good reason. It’s often introduced through polished floors and feature walls, along with more minimalistic touches such as decorative items.

“One of my favourite products is the Dulux Design Concrete Effect as it helps you achieve incredible results with value for money,” says Dulux interior product manager  Bonnie Jenkinson.

“The concrete look is incredible if you want to create an industrial modern statement, and this can be done by either painting the walls down a hallway, a standalone feature wall, or even just by upcycling a piece of furniture.

“Using the concrete look works well on so many surfaces and areas and is so much more cost-effective than actually buying the real thing.”

Sophisticated suede

Suede is often associated with a sense of sophistication and  adding elements of this plush, velvety look to your home – either the real thing  or simply the look of it – will surely boost the elegance of your interior.

“The Dulux Design Suede Effect is a classic choice that works across so many ways in the home,” Jenkinson says.

“It works great on feature walls as it helps to bring texture and personality to certain spaces, like a study or a reading nook for example. Suede, when used right and in a modern fashion, can truly look incredible.”

Country-chic chalk

Recognised for its soft, matt finish, you can get a lot of different looks using chalk paint, ranging from a shabby chic finish to a more modern approach.

So this particular effect can provide many fun DIY projects of upcycling and creating distinctive furniture pieces for the home.

“The chalk look is such a beautiful and feminine touch which is incredibly on trend right now,” says Jenkinson.

“And while there are many different ways you can use the Dulux Design Chalk Effect, some of the most common are painting hall and buffet tables, as well as wardrobes. It comes in beautiful colours and can be sanded back to create a French vintage distressed look.”

Gilded gold

It seems that gold will forever be one of the “it” metallics when it comes to interior design, thanks largely to its power of making items look luxurious.

With the power of gold paint, even the most ordinary items can transform into sophisticated accent pieces.

“The Dulux Design Gold Effect is another one of my favourites,” Jenkinson says.

“It’s perfect for upcycling items and bringing new life to something that was otherwise previously dull.

“The end result of this effect is a luxurious finish of shimmering gold, which looks both expensive and tasteful. This is a great way to create a statement piece in a room, like on thick mirror frames for example.”

Contemporary copper

Speaking of metallic-like paints that make something look much more expensive than it really is — the same can be said about the copper look.

While this effect works well as a feature wall, you can also get really creative with copper paint.

“Copper looks fabulous on smaller-scale projects like pot plants, plus it’s both interior and exterior durable, which means you can style your pots once complete, either inside or out,” explains Jenkinson.

“Imagine a boring, stock standard pot plant that has been mass produced. You can easily transform that same pot by using the Dulux Design Copper Effect, and the result will be a more personalised decor item that looks stunning and unique. You really can’t go wrong!”