Brighten your home and your mood with a unique feature wall

Thinking of refreshing the look of your home? Adding pops of colour to the space can help transform how it looks, and influence how you feel as well. According to results of the AkzoNobel Global Colour Survey recently released, which surveyed more than 5,500 people across nine countries around the world, 93% of those surveyed feel that colours can change their mood; and 91% agree they feel happier in a more colourful environment. If painting your entire home feels overwhelming, why not create your own feature wall instead? Having a feature wall can be a great alternative to making a big impact and jazz up the look of your room – and it can be a fun family-activity to do together too!  

Here's a quick guide:

1. Understanding your style preferences A feature wall is a great way to revitalise the room, and showcase your personality at the same time. Before you begin, take a look at your favourite colour inspirations, such as your dressing style and the colours of objects you're drawn to. Do you prefer bold shades or muted tones, bright hues or light pastels?     2. Starting out right Choose a wall that holds the focus of the room. Decide on the colours and styles you prefer, and remember to consider how it will look against your existing décor; try not to overload the wall with too many design elements. Opt for paints such as the Dulux Wash & Wear with KidProof Technology™, which is formulated with an innovative film coating that resists and repels tough stains, so walls can be easily cleaned and maintained. Certified with the Singapore Green Label, these paints are also low in odour and free of lead and mercury, so that you and your loved ones can relax in a safer and cleaner environment too.     3. Get into the spirit If this is your first time, start off small to get into the spirit so that you can gain confidence to try out bolder designs. The simplest way to create a feature wall is to paint it a different colour from the other walls. Use a bold or contrasting paint colour for impact, such as Teal, AkzoNobel's Colour of the Year 2014, which evokes sophistication and subdued richness whilst adding tranquility to the space.     4. Be creative and go bold If you're feeling more confident, try out patterns or effects for a striking and exceptional feature wall. A quick way is to fill the wall with stripes or chevrons. Paint these patterns on the wall by using a masking tape as a guide, or grab stencils from DIY stores for more elaborate designs. Love those ombre gradients you see on the runway? Have your favourite shades on your wall by portioning your wall into three sections, then paint the colours in dark, medium and light shades from the same colour family. Blend the colours together with a large, dry paintbrush when the paint is still wet, and ensure that the line between each colour is blurred.   Or experiment with different textures on your wall to make a statement. Dab paint onto the wall with a sponge, drag a dry brush through wet paint for a striped effect, or better yet create the look of a stone wall by scrunching a plastic sheet on a freshly painted wall and then lifting the sheet away.     5. Have fun and experiment Have fun and play with colours - one of the great things about paint is that it is easy to change as a wall colouring or covering! Get creative and let your imagination run free, and know that you can always have a second go if it doesn't come out right the first time.