Specialty Painting

Move Beyond Solid Colors for Walls That Impress and Inspire

Painting interior walls can have a dramatic effect on how a home looks and feels. But even with thousands of color choices available, homeowners are limited by the offerings of paint manufacturers. If you're looking to move beyond paint swatches, consider hiring a specialty painter. More than just house painters, these individuals are bona fide artists who can infuse your walls, floors, ceilings, cabinets, countertops, and even furniture with a personalized, one-of-a-kind look. From simple textured walls to ornate murals, if you can think it up, a specialty painting service can bring it to life.

Specialty Painting Considerations

Some homeowners seeking the services of a specialty painter have a general idea of the visual impression they want to create, while others may only know that they want something different. Whichever stage of the decision making process you’re at, it makes sense to schedule a consultation with prospective painters. By bringing the artist to the canvas (your home, that is), you can get a better idea of what’s possible, and find out whether the painter’s previous experience is a good fit for your project. Having several consultations is a good idea. Individual specialty painters have different backgrounds – including art school, interior design, and set painting – and varying levels of experience. You might hire an artist who does decorative painting on the side, or choose to go with a painter that works on home interiors exclusively. In either case, you’ll want to see samples of previous work and get a sense of whether he or she is on the same page, creatively, that you are.

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Types of Decorative Painting

Although decorative painting options are only limited to your imagination, many homeowners choose one or more of the following options:

Faux Finishes: A custom faux finish is intended to make drywall look like another material. Wood, stone, and metal are oft-imitated, and other popular options include crackled, antiqued, and aged finishes. You can also have a detailed finish that resembles wallpaper painted on.
Textured Finishes: Texture adds dimension to flat walls and can make rooms feel more vibrant. There are granulated textures that use bits of sand and stone as well as lace textures, swirl textures, dimpled textures, and many more. Mix colors and textures to create surfaces that really stand out, or only apply texture to part of a wall to simulate depth.
Murals: Transform an entire room into a work of art by having a mural painted. A smaller mural might encompass a single wall, while a more elaborate painting can cover the walls, floor, and ceiling. Incorporate characters and scenery from your favorite book or movie, recreate a classic painting, or come up with something wholly unique. Trompe L’oeil murals, which create a three dimensional effect, are popular, as are frescoes and airbrushing.
Stencils and Stamps: Stenciled borders and stamped patterns are commonly applied along the tops of walls, but you could just as easily use them to create a wallpaper effect or a mural. Stenciling and stamping also look nice on cabinets and furniture.

Specialty Painting Costs

Please note that the actual cost of specialty panting can vary significantly based on the work performed, the painter’s experience level, and your location.

In general, specialty painting is 3 to 6 times more expensive than typical interior painting.
Most specialty painting projects cost somewhere between $1,500 and $3,000.
Faux finishing might cost $400 to $800 or more for a 10 foot x 12 foot room, or around $3 to $8 per square foot.
Adding textured walls to a 10 foot x 12 foot room costs $400 to $600 ($3 to $5 per square foot).
Mural painting costs $15 to $35 or more per square foot.
A consultation could cost $50 to $100, although many companies offer a free initial meeting.