Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a wall that naturally draws the eye when you enter the room — usually the wall behind a bed, sofa or fireplace. Avoid walls with too many doors, windows or interruptions. The wall should be in good condition with no major cracks or damage before painting.
Most feature walls need two coats of paint for full, even coverage. If painting a dark or bright colour over a light existing colour you may need two coats plus touch-ups. If going from dark to light, two coats over a tinted primer is recommended.
A primer is recommended if you are painting a significantly different colour, covering stains or water marks, or painting on bare plaster or new drywall. On a wall in good condition being painted a similar colour, a primer may not be necessary.
A simple single-colour feature wall is one of the more manageable DIY painting jobs. The key is proper preparation — filling holes, sanding smooth, taping edges carefully and using quality paint and tools. For complex finishes, textured effects or high ceilings, a professional painter will deliver a better result.
A standard feature wall in a bedroom or living room typically takes two to four hours including preparation and two coats. Allow four hours drying time between coats. The total process including drying time is usually completed in a single day.