Why I am not painting my walls – 6 alternative ways I'm adding color to my home instead

I'm currently renovating my home and now we've finally hit the picking paint stage of the project, I'm left feeling pretty decision-fatigued.

So while there are a few rooms where I'm leaning into color, selecting whisper-soft blues for my living room and butter yellow for the kitchen, in some rooms I've decided to simply decorate with white. And yes, this decision is certainly affected by a little bit of laziness, but I'm actually excited to lean into the simple, pure beauty of white room ideas.

Here are the 6 alternative – and slightly unexpected – ways I'm going to add color to my home without painting the walls. Because sometimes all-white really is alright.

It's funny isn't it how white walls tend to get a bad rep? Typically reserved for builder-grade or rental homes, an all-white room is something interior designers are usually longing to get their hands on and drench with color-rich hues.

But I think it is high time we gave white paint the attention it deserves. Calm, understated, and goes-with-everything, white walls are a blank canvas just crying out for a riotous injection of print, texture, and color from your decor.

Introducing color into your home can feel like a big commitment, especially when it involves painting walls. From classic wall decor ideas to slightly more unexpected room color ideas, here are the alternative ways I'm adding color to my home instead. Some are slightly more permanent, and some can be used to inspire decorating a rented space without committing to painted walls.

1. Oversized art and tapestries

Adding color to walls doesn’t have to mean picking up a paintbrush. There are so many ways to experiment and find what feels right without diving into a major painting project. Of course, I don't want to leave my walls entirely blank, so I'm looking for oversized pieces of art that I can use to make a big impact in my rooms.

I'm not much of a fan of gallery walls, simply because they're hard to really get right, so by investing in large-scale pieces I can quickly fill an empty wall without having to hunt around for 10-20 smaller pieces.

Vintage art and tapestries are on my wish list at the moment. Decorating with art can be an expensive endeavor, so thrift shops and antique markets are my destination of choice for finding unique and eclectic pieces at a more budget-friendly price point.

2. A statement headboard

In my master bedroom, I'm keeping the walls a really pale white with pink undertones (I didn't say it had to be brilliant white!) and will be using a statement upholstered headboard to bring the wow factor to the space.

The bed is the anchor of the room so instead of opting for a traditional wooden bedframe or a vintage wrought iron, I'm taking inspiration from this bedroom designed by Vaughan Design & Development, and introducing a blue and red color combination to my sleep space.

A headboard lets you add color, pattern, and texture to the wall in a non-permanent way that lends coziness to the room. Upholstered headboards are particularly effective here, particularly if you introduce rich fabrics like velvet or vibrant, patterned linens. For those who prefer a more subtle look, a muted but textured fabric such as a boucle can still add interest without overpowering the room’s softness.

3. Painted woodwork and cabinetry

If you did want to pick up a paintbrush in a small and concentrated way, painting woodwork or cabinetry in a room will instantly transform the look and feel of the entire room. I've chosen to paint the wardrobes in my bedroom and the cabinetry in my living room to add a pop of color.

This can simply be the woodwork – including baseboards, molding, or trim to frame a room – or larger items like painted kitchen cabinets, living room alcove storage, or boot room cupboards like in the London home above designed by Studio Duggan.

Painted cabinetry and trims are easy to update, allowing you to experiment with color trends without a major commitment. They give you all the control over the mood of your space without the permanence of a full wall treatment.

4. Floor-to-ceiling drapery

Elegant, floor-to-ceiling drapes can create a wall of color all by themselves without the need for paint.

And they have transformative power. Long curtains can make a small room feel grander and a large room to feel more intimate. Opting for drapes in a rich hue or bold pattern adds personality, transforming the room’s ambiance.

The versatility of floor-to-ceiling window treatments also allows you to change the color scheme of a room easily and rather affordably. For example, swapping out curtains seasonally can introduce warmth in the winter with deep, cozy colors like burgundy or forest green, or invite an airier vibe in warmer months with light, sheer fabrics in like natural linen.

5. Unexpected tile

Tile offers a durable, washable, and endlessly customizable way to introduce color. With so many options in patterns, finishes, and hues, there are so many unexpected ways to use tile to create a unique and almost architectural element in a room.

This could include a bold checkerboard floor, vintage delft tiles in the kitchen to create a splashback, a tiled window trim, or a statement fireplace surround, like the deep green chimney breast seen above.

Personally, I've almost ticked off all the above. Tiles are surprisingly quite easy to DIY yourself and you can pick up small batches from places like Facebook Marketplace if you're just looking to do a powder room vanity splashback or a small fireplace hearth for example.

6. Furniture and rugs

Aside from a statement headboard, I'm also going to use other furniture pieces to add an accent of color to each room of my house, including the color-drenched ones.

To make it less daunting, I'm going to start with one bold piece for each space, like a deep blue couch or an unexpected red armchair, to introduce a sense of colorful minimalism. The same approach can also be said for a vibrant rug, which will cover a vast amount of floor space to bring a wash of color to the room.

If your style or color preferences change over time, swapping out a chair or rug is much easier than repainting. This approach gives you the freedom to play with new looks and trends as the mood hits. Which is something I tend to get carried away with.

Whether you're looking to make a bold statement or add subtle warmth, these colorful ideas will let you personalize your space without even picking up a paintbrush.