There’s something so transformative about colour. A fresh coat of paint can do more than hide scuffs or tidy up a room — it can completely shift the mood of your home. The right shade can warm up a living room, brighten a hallway, or give your kitchen a crisp, modern feel. Colour also has the power to make your home feel more you.
Today, professional Melbourne painters Jeremy Quinn of Quinns Painting & Decorating shares his top tips on choosing colour with confidence and getting a professional result at home.
Related article: Colour and emotion: How to select colour for the mood you want to achieve
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Words by Jeremy Quinn
Why colour matters more than you think
Colour affects how you feel, how you move through a space, and even how big or small a room appears. Soft neutrals can turn a bedroom into a sanctuary, while deeper tones can add richness and sophistication to living areas. Colour isn’t just a decorating accent — it’s a design tool that influences mood, energy and perception of space.
Pro tip from Jeremy: Always test colour samples at different times of the day. Natural and artificial light can change how a tone looks, sometimes dramatically.
When painting with colour it’s worth choosing a professional painter
When refreshing an interior with all-white paint, you can get away with a DIY job. There are plenty of tips on how to achieve a better paint finish.
But painting with colour is a lot more tricky. Firstly you need to get the right shade of paint, which generally only comes from years of experience (either professional training or learning from past mistakes!). Then painting with colour is a lot less forgiving as dribbles, streaks and other imperfections are far more obvious than when painting with a neutral colour.
The more you paint with one colour, the more intense that colour will appear. What may seem like a soft blue on a paint swatch, can become a ‘baby-room blue’ when painted on all your walls. A professional can guide you on paint colours to achieve your design vision.
A professional painter can guide you through:
- colour choices that suit your style and existing furniture
- the best finishes for each room (matte, wash-and-wear, low-sheen, gloss)
- proper prep work — sanding, patching, priming — so your paint actually lasts
- crisp edges and a smooth, durable finish.
It’s a bit like colouring your hair… yes, you can do it at home, but the results are rarely the same!
Understanding your home’s style
Every home has its own character. Whether you live in a heritage home full of decorative detail or a newer build with clean architectural lines, paint plays a huge role in enhancing what’s already there.
Skilled painters know how to highlight those features — bringing out the warmth in timber trims, freshening up dated cabinetry, or giving a tired room a modern edge with the right tone and finish.
Working with local painters, such as a Melbourne painter who understands the diverse architecture and design preferences of charming Victorian terraces, will know how to highlight the home’s character. Whether it’s refreshing details with careful brushwork or adding a modern feel with intentional colour accents. If you’re searching for painters close to me, chances are you’ll come across trusted local experts who know the ins and outs of Melbourne homes.
2025 colour trends to watch
As well as taking a cue from the character of your home, you can also take inspiration from new colour trends. Every year brings a fresh wave of colour inspo, and 2025 is shaping up to be all about balance — blending nature-inspired tones with confident, statement shades.
Here are some trends making their way into Australian homes this year:
- Earthy neutrals with depth: warm beiges, clay tones, and soft terracotta are moving beyond ‘safe’ neutrals, adding richness while still keeping spaces calm and inviting.
- Ocean blues and sea greens: inspired by coastal living, these hues are perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, or feature walls that bring a sense of freshness and calm.
- Moody accents: Deep forest green, midnight navy, and even charcoal are on-trend for creating cosy, intimate corners — ideal for bedrooms and living spaces.
- Sunset brights: Splashes of coral, amber, and dusty rose are being used in smaller doses — think accent walls, trims, or even painted furniture — to add warmth and personality.
- Sustainable whites: Clean but not sterile, whites with subtle undertones (like soft peach or green) are trending as versatile backdrops for modern, airy homes.
Colour drenching is another hot trend. This is where the same colour is used on all walls, ceiling and trims. It creates an enveloping, cocoon-like feel and effortless sophistication.
Choosing the right painting team
When you’re ready to transform your space, it’s essential to choose a team you can trust. Your painter can either make the whole process easier and create a finish that makes your home feel elevated… or they can leave you with the kind of imperfections that catch your eye every time you walk into a room.
When choosing a painter, look for:
- experience in both interior and exterior projects
- portfolio of photos showcasing a diverse range of styles
- customer reviews that give you a sense of reliability and quality.
For Melbourne homeowners, Quinns Painting & Decorating has established a reputation for delivering professional service, meticulous attention to detail, and results that speak for themselves.
About the author
Jeremy Quinn is the founder of Quinns Painting & Decorating, a Melbourne-based painting company with over 10 years of experience transforming homes and commercial spaces. Passionate about the power of colour, Jeremy and his team specialise in helping homeowners bring their interiors to life with tailored painting solutions that balance style, function, and durability. When he’s not working on projects across Melbourne, Jeremy enjoys sharing practical tips to inspire homeowners to refresh their spaces with confidence and creativity.
Web: quinnspainting.com.au
Instagram: @quinnspainting
Paint is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to refresh your home. With the right colour palette and the skill of professional painters, your interiors can go from tired to truly transformative. So, whether you’re dreaming of a bold feature wall, a calming bedroom retreat, or a full-home refresh, colour is your secret weapon. All that’s left is to pick your palette and let the experts bring it to life.
