PAINT TWO-TONE A STRIKING WALL

Turn away from tradition and don’t just be guided by a dado or picture rail when it comes to painting your walls. Instead opt for a fresh, contemporary finish that really packs a punch.

■ Prep your walls by filling any dents or scuffs with filler, sanding down any lumps and bumps, and giving woodwork such as skirtings and door frames a light sand, then clean with a damp cloth.

■ Paint your wall from ceiling to floor in your first chosen colour, preferably the lighter one. You may need two coats to achieve the desired finish.

■ Once completely dry, use a spirit level, ruler and pencil to lightly draw a horizontal line across your entire wall, continuing over doors, door frames and any other mouldings. Choose where you want it on the wall – about a third of the way from the floor or ceiling works well. Stick down a strip of decorating tape using the line as your guide.

■ Using your second, darker colour, paint the section from the ceiling down to the tape (or from the floor up, if you prefer), continuing slightly over the tape too. Once dry, carefully remove the tape to reveal a crisp line where the two colours meet.