Pastel power: how to create an impact using soft shades

If neutrals are leaving you feeling a little flat, faded pastel tints have all the versatility of their plainer relatives, making them perfect for small spaces and suitable for country, simple Scandi or contemporary schemes.

Trick no. 1: Paint a circle frame

Paint on wall Ash White, £29.03, 2.5L, Vinyl Matt Emulsion, Dulux; Circle painted in Manna Ash, £35.50, 2.5L, Matt Emulsion, Fired Earth; Chairs, Elgin Dining Chairs, ready to paint, £200 for a set,
Laura Ashley.

Try this simple trick to instantly zone a dining area in a multifunctional room, or highlight a statement light fitting. Use a chalky-finish paint for a subtle stand out. Why not upcycle dining chairs using two colours of pastel paint for a new look.

Trick no. 2: Layer three colours

Top stripe, Swanley, Vinyl Matt Emulsion,
£25.84, 2.5L, Albany Traditions; middle stripe, Bordon, Vinyl Matt Emulsion,
£25.84, 2.5L, Albany Traditions; bottom stripe, Duck Egg, Matt Emulsion,
£37.80 2.5L, Laura Ashley.

Choose three tints of the same weight and keep the paint bands in line with shelving heights or furniture for a simple, streamlined effect. Graduate colour from darkest at the bottom to lightest at the top to make a room's ceiling seem higher.

Trick no 3: Highlight a feature

Back walls, Light Blue No22, Estate Emulsion, £36, 2.5L, Farrow & Ball; Chimney Breast Wall, Skimming Stone No241, Estate Emulsion,
£36, 2.5L, Farrow & Ball; Fire Surround painted in Iron Grey, 127, £38 2.5L, Matt Emulsion, Sanderson; Bookcase,

BK3 Georgian bookcase, £527, Scumble Goosie

and Coffee Table, EM3/W, Empire coffee table (medium), £469, Scumble Goosie, both painted in Elephants Breath, 229, £51, 2.5L, Estate Eggshell, Farrow & Ball; Console Table EM7/W Empire console table, £249, Scumble Goosie, painted in Manna Ash 79, Eggshell, £50, 2.5L, Fired Earth.

Underline a fireplace as the focal point of a room by painting the alcoves either side in a mellow pastel colour and the chimney breast in a paler neutral. Be aware that a paint colour used in an alcove will always appear darker than it does in the tin.

Trick no.4: Roll on a pattern

Paint on wall, Kits Coty, Vinyl Matt Emulsion, £25.84, 2.5L, Albany Traditions; patterned painted in Pure Brilliant White, Matt, 2.5L, £20.99, Dulux; Roller, Tussock patterned paint roller, The Painted House, £20; wall applicator to use with roller, The Painted House, £12; paint on panelling, Pure Brilliant White, Matt, 2.5L, £20.99, Dulux.

Turn a plain, pastel-painted wall into a feature with a special pattern roller. Keep the pattern to a small area, such as above a dado rail or wooden panelling. When using a roller practise first, then use the paint roller free hand -it's a relaxed look, so imperfections don't matter.

Find more paint tricks to transform your room.

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