Introduction to Decorative Painting

Painting and decorating goes hand in hand like coffee and cream. One compliments the other and vice versa. As such, decorative painting goes back in history almost as far as people do. From ceremonial paintings on cave walls done by prehistoric men to the Italian frescos (wall paintings typically found in cathedrals), these artistic expressions have been part of aesthetic embellishment. Fortunately, our means of painting have greatly improved from the days of the cavemen.

Where early painters had to practice ingenuity to produce colours and use water or animal fat to bind paint to surfaces, modern men have already figured out how to shortcut the process, and the concept of paint products (and other painting tools) was eventually conceived. Paint materials went into mass production over five hundred years ago. Nowadays, paint of almost every conceivable shade, texture and colour is readily available to everyone. Thus, artists or users are given more time to search for inspiration and be creative.


In practical home design, decorative painting, either as primary ornamentation or just a finish, is a simple and inexpensive way to add elegance and beauty to walls, furniture, cabinets and several other furniture items. The colours you choose, glazing and layering contribute largely to achieve an impressionable effect in the surfaces.

Almost anything in your home can get a decorative accent with paint. Some of the items you can put decorative paint with are: glassware and ceramics, windows, plastic, wood and even clothing materials. Decorative painting can be a quick and easy way to dress up a holiday centerpiece or old piece of furniture. Furthermore, you can also create personalized gifts with it.

Here are some tips in doing home decorative painting:

1. It is very important to prepare surfaces correctly before applying any paint. Paint will not bond correctly and surface flaws will be highlighted if the surface is inadequately prepared. In glazing, surfaces should be non-porous. As such, priming is an essential step.

2. Proper base coating is necessary to achieve the best results. Overall effect depends on the base coat colour so you must apply it to the surface evenly and without brush or roller marks. Allowing sufficient drying time between all layers is important as well and will prevent paint bleeding.

3. Try to work in pairs when doing large area painting such as big walls or ceilings. Doing as such allows successive work and prevents the paint from drying out too much before applying the second coating.

There are several ways to achieve an elegant look by applying decorative painting. Whether you use faux painting techniques or just use a great colour to really bring out a wall, fresh paint can always make a difference to your home. Decorative painting can make one feel more relaxed and provide a homey feel to your space instead of just having dull living quarters.
by: Joanna Harris