Whether you’re moving into a new place, welcoming family, or hosting a gathering with friends, read on for our top decorating projects for transforming your home.

Bring new life to your room with an accent wall refresh. Opt for a bolder or darker paint colour, or add a print with wallpaper on one wall to instantly transform your room, creating an eye-catching focal point and a backdrop for your dining table, sofa, bed, or holiday decorations.

Give new life to older or pre-loved items by transforming furniture with an upcycling project. Repaint* or add decorative accents in colours that flow with your interior design scheme. P.S. Don’t forget new hardware for those all-important finishing touches. \nRead our guide on upcycling furniture \nhere\n. \n
\n*Prep may be needed before repainting. Generally, we recommend lightly sanding and adding a coat of water-based primer if your furniture is previously painted, a coated MDF, or varnished.

Refresh the heart of any home, the kitchen, by painting your cabinets for a budget-friendly alternative to a complete refit. Pick your new paint colour and add fresh hardware to make the space ready for festive cooking and entertaining.\nRead our FAQ guide on decorating your kitchen cabinets \nhere\n.

Hosting soon? Create a cosy and welcoming space with relaxing wall colours, soft textiles, plump cushions, layered lighting, and fresh towels. 

Are you looking for a bigger change to your space? Adding decorative moulding or panelling to your rooms is a great way to add character and visual interest to a room. With so many styles available, there’s something to suit everyone. \nPaint in a contrasting color for a more traditional look or color-drench it with your walls for a more contemporary feel. 

Now’s the time to makeover your fireplace for that Instagram-worthy festive mantelpiece. Whether you're freshening up your existing paintwork or going for something bolder - trust us, yellow or red looks great - your fireplace will create a cosy setting for winter evenings.

These small spaces are the perfect spots for a last-minute glow-up to wow your visitors. Our top tips, don’t be afraid to drench them in colour and be bolder than in other rooms. As you spend less time in these spaces they’re the perfect opportunity to inject a more playful design that you might not want in other rooms.
\nPaint, add a gallery wall, opt for a bolder print, or add a half-wall of panelling. 

Start at the entrance with a front door makeover. This will set the tone for your home and holiday decor and add personality, perfect for when your guests arrive. Freshen up your door with a beautiful new paint colour and then finish it off with seasonal decorations like a welcoming wreath in complementary colours.

There you have it, eight decorating project ideas to update your home in time for the New Year. \nIf you are hosting a festive meal and want to make a statement with your dinner table setting, take a look at \n6 festive tablescape ideas\n.

Transform the way you mood board with the Lick Colors tool. \nFound an interior image you love? Now you can get a tailor-made color palette inspired by your favorite Pinterest finds. Our quickest and most interactive decorating tool yet, simply upload your Pinterest mood board and we’ll automatically create a shoppable color palette to match each image. Here's how...\nFollow these 8 easy steps to turn your decor inspiration into a reality:\nStep 1: Ensure you have a Pinterest account. \nIf you don’t, you create a new personal account to discover Pins and save them to boards.\n\nSign up here\n
\nStep 2: Create a Pinterest board with your favorite images pinned to it. \nTo do this:\nClick “Create a board”\nTitle the board e.g. Living room\nSearch for inspiration. E.g. “Soho House style living room”\nPin the images you love to your new living room Pinterest board\nStep 3: Follow the Lick Colors link.\n\nTry the Lick Colours tool\n\nStep 4: Authorise Lick Colors to have access to your Pinterest boards.\nStep 5: Choose a board.\n

Step 6: Let Lick Colors work its magic!\n

Step 7: Click on the colors below the image to see the Lick paint colors.\n

Step 8: Add samples to your cart.\nWith the click of a button, you can try out your personalized selection of peel-and-stick samples around your home.\nAnd there you have it. It’s time to turn your pins into your perfect palette.

Whether you're giving an existing piece of furniture a new lease of life or are upcycling a flea market find, painting wooden furniture is the perfect way to create a cohesive color scheme in your home. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover tins of \nwood paint\n you’ve got lying around. To get the most professional and long-lasting finish, there are a few important steps to follow. So, if you want to learn the tricks of the trade for how to paint wood furniture, read on.\nWhat kind of paint do you use on wood furniture?\nYou can use both our \nmatt paint\n and \neggshell paint\n on wood furniture and other surfaces. \nWhat is the hardest-wearing paint for furniture?\nBoth our matt and eggshell paints are durable, wipeable, and very hard-wearing. \nWe’ve had many happy customers who have used matt paint to makeover bedside tables, drinks cabinets, and much more. When it comes to painting wooden furniture like a kitchen cabinet or wardrobes that will receive a \nlot\n of use, however, we’d recommend (with a lowercase ‘r’) using our eggshell paint as its higher sheen means it can withstand a heavy hand.\nWhen it comes to painting wooden furniture in your bathroom we \nmust\n insist on using our eggshell paint as it will withstand the hot and humid weather that a bathroom brings.\nOur 6-step guide on how to paint wood furniture\nStep 1: clean\nWe know it’s boring but whether they’re from your home or a dusty old vintage shop, furniture will collect dust and dirt over time that will affect the finish. Using warm soapy water, give your furniture a gentle sponge (or cloth) bath taking care to dry it properly afterwards. \nStep 2: sand\nOnce you’re all dry, sand down any rough edges using sandpaper or a sanding block. Again, this will give it a smooth and professional finish. \nStep 3: clean again\nJust a quick one this time! Give your furniture a final wipe down to remove any dust accumulated whilst sanding. Leave to dry. \nStep 4: mask off areas you don't want to paint\nUse \npainters tape\n to mask off any areas you don't want to paint, such as hinges and handles.\nStep 5: time to prime\nYou’re so nearly there! If you are painting MDF, ply or unpainted wood, we recommend applying a primer before you start. These surfaces can be quite absorbent and porous, making it harder for the paint to adhere to them.\nA primer could be either a mist coat of 70% paint and 30% water or a wood primer. If you opt for a wood primer, we’d recommend using \nZinsser BIN water-based primer\n for the most durable finish. Once you’ve applied the primer, leave to dry before painting. \nGood news is, if your furniture is already painted you can skip this step. \nStep 6: paint\nTime for the fun bit! Grab your paintbrush and roller from our \ncollection of decorating tools\n, as well as your paint. If your furniture has details like doors, start with them first. We’d recommend that you:\nBegin with the door edges, followed by any mouldings and inlay panels.\nCover the surface with paint then use your brush to spread it evenly. \nUse consistent stroke patterns to ensure an even coverage. \nWhen the inlays are done, move on to the top and bottom rails then the side stiles. \nOnce the doors are complete, move on to the surrounding framework. Once the front is done, paint the side panels before finishing with the top.\nTime to admire your handiwork!\nPop the kettle on (or pour yourself something stronger), stand back, and admire a job well done. Remember to allow the paint at least 48 hours before you place anything on it or push it against a wall. This gives the paint time to properly bind.\nJust \nlook\n at this stunning example below of built-in wood cabinets transformed with Lick paint, from McClark Bespoke Kitchens.

Some of your FAQS on how to paint wood furniture \nCan you paint straight over wood furniture?\nYes! And no… Not all woods are created equal and it depends on what kind of wood you’re working with. If it’s MDF, ply, or unpainted wood, we recommend applying a primer. However, if your wooden furniture is already painted, there’s no need.\nDo you \nhave\n to sand before painting wood furniture?\nListen, we’re not here to tell you what you can and can’t do. We’re all grown-ups here. But for a better finish (and longer-lasting result) we’d always recommend sanding before painting wood furniture.\nWhat happens if you \ndon't\n sand wooden furniture before painting?\nSanding creates a better surface for your paint to stick to. So, if you skip it, over time your paint job might start to chip and flake. Which means you’ll have to retouch more regularly. We hate to sound like your mother, but time spent now will be time saved later. \nCan you paint over varnished or painted wood?\nGenerally speaking, if the surface is already painted, you don’t need to prime... However, if the surface has been previously varnished, we would recommend something like \nZinsser 1-2-3 BIN primer\n after thoroughly sanding. As varnish is a difficult surface to adhere to, a primer is required to help.\nDo I need to varnish painted furniture?\nNo, you don’t. However, if you are painting in a high-contact area, like a doorknob or handles, then you may want to consider sealing the paint with wood varnish for extra durability. \nAnd there you have it. The definitive guide on how to paint wood furniture. If you’re feeling emboldened and want to tackle more decorating projects, then why not take a look at our guide to \npainting kitchen cupboards\n or \nhow to paint your wardrobes\n.

We all know that a fresh lick of paint on the walls can transform the appearance of a room, but what about the exterior of your home? Spice up the outside of your property by painting your front door. First impressions matter and it’s the first thing your guests (and you) are going to see. \nNot quite sure where to start? Here’s all you need to know about how to paint your front door.\nWhat to use\nTools and materials-wise, here’s what you need: \nA tin of weather-resistant exterior and masonry paint.\nPaint stripper \nSandpaper\nPainters masking tape\nPaintbrush\nCutting in paintbrush\nPaint roller and paint tray \nWide scraper \nSponge and bucket of water \nSafety goggles, gloves and a protective mask \nHow to prep your wooden exterior front door for paint\nThe secret to a flawlessly painted front door? Putting in the time to prep the surface before you even reach for that paintbrush. Trust us, it’s worth putting in a little extra time so you can spend the rest of your days showing off that smooth, beautiful finish. \nHere’s what you need to do: \nFirst, get that old and flaking paint off. Slip on your gloves and goggles and start by applying the paint stripper with a brush. Work it into every nook and cranny and leave on for the manufacturer’s recommended amount of time. \nTime up? Try scraping a small patch with a sturdy scraper. If the paint comes off easily, continue to scrape away until you’re left with a bare wooden surface.\nWipe down the surface with a sponge soaked in warm water.\nPut your dust mask on and sand the surface smooth using a piece of fine sandpaper. \nOnce the stripping and sanding are done, it’s time to remove the door handle and wedge the door firmly open.\nHow to prep your uPVC and composite front door for paint\nIf your front door is made of plastic or UPVC, just make sure that you lightly sand the surface before application. This will give the paint something to stick to so it lasts for longer.\n
\nHow to paint a wooden exterior front door\nIf the wood is new or well-weathered, apply a diluted first coat (a mixture of 70% paint and 30% water). This first coat is the most important one for long-lasting results.\nIf the wood is new and treated, we’d recommend leaving it for at least 6 months before painting, as the treatment needs time to weather first. Non treated front doors can be painted straight away (starting with the thin coat first). \nNote - \nsome woods will stain and bleed through light colors. For Plywood, red cedar and very resinous woods, apply a stain blocker first. \n
\nHow to paint different types of exterior front doors\nTime to paint: \nFor panel doors:\n Start by applying paint to the inner panels and the surrounding mouldings. Next, tackle the central areas working your way from top to bottom. Finish with the outer edges, including the exposed door edges right at the end. \nFor glazed doors: \nAffix masking tape around the edges of the glass panels to protect it from drips of paint. Start by painting the mouldings surrounding the glass, using a small angled paintbrush to cut in (learn how to cut in paint). Moving on to the outer edges, working from to bottom before finishing off with the exposed door edges (check out our tips for painting using painters tape).\nFor flush doors:\n Tackle in smaller sections, working your way from top to bottom in horizontal strokes. Carefully blend each section into the next while the paint is still wet, leaving the door edges for last.\n--\nHurrah, all done! If you can (security permitting) - leave your front door open for as long as it takes to dry.

We were so inspired by @tash_lickcolorpro’s DIY upholstered headboard that we thought we’d share her guide on how to make your own. No, you don’t have to be a master upholster to achieve it, you just need to be a bit of a dab hand with a staple gun.\n\nIt’s a great way to tie a look together using fabrics you’ve already got. You can even turn a pair of old curtains into a headboard (or pair of cushions to match). If you’d like to have a go at this DIY guide for yourself, here’s how. 

Step 1: ensure you’ve got the right tools for the job\nYou’ll need: \nFabric \nMeasuring tape\nFabric scissors \nHammer and tacks\nTack lifter\nStaple gun and staples \nStaple remover \nStep 2: measure your headboard\nStep 3: cut your fabric\nCut your fabric to the size of your headboard, allowing an extra 5 cms each side (so 10 cms total) for stapling.\nStep 4: secure your fabric in place\nStarting in the top centre of your headboard, using your hammer and tacks, secure your fabric in place and work your way out. You want your fabric to be snug, but not too tight.\nStep 5: staple\nOnce your fabric is in place and you’re happy with how it looks, grab your staple gun and begin securing it to your headboard, starting from the middle of the top of your headboard, removing your tacks as you go using your tack lifter. \nStep 6: cut in\nAs you get to the corners of your headboard, you’ll need to ‘cut in’ to your fabric using a Y shape, to avoid excess fabric and prevent it from bulging. Roll and fold over your cut edges to ensure a neat finish and secure using your staple gun. Don’t worry if you make any mistakes whilst stapling, you can take them out with a staple remover.\nStep 7: trim any excess fabric\n

And that’s it! You’ve got yourself a brand-new looking headboard. Now, you just need to re-affix it to your bed or your wall to complete the job. If you liked this idea, take a look at these \n9 statement headboard ideas for your bedroom\n for some more bedroom decor inspiration.

When it comes to creating a DIY painted wall headboard, the wall is your oyster. You can go for any design you like—from two-tone to multi-colored. It’s a great way to use up leftover paint, as \nthis wall mural on a budget\n demonstrates.\n\nIn this DIY painted wall headboard ‘How to’ guide, we’re going to share how to create two of our favourite designs: a semi-circle painted wall headboard design and a rectangular painted wall headboard design—paintbrushes at the ready.\n\n\nShop bedroom paint\n\nHow to make a DIY semi-circle painted wall headboard\nThis DIY semi-circle painted wall headboard idea is a great way to create a cohesive color scheme. It allows you to add a splash of color without it being overwhelming. It’s an excellent \nboho bedroom idea\n.

Step 1:\n Make sure you’ve got the right tools for the job:\nYou’ll need:\n\nPaint\n (take a look at our full range of \npaint supplies\n to get the job done)\n\nMasking tape\n\nMeasuring tape\n\nPaint roller \nand \npaint tray\n\n\nPaint brush\n\nString\nPencil\nNail and hammer\nFiller\nSandpaper\n\n\nStep 2:\n As ever, \nprep your wall for painting\n. \nStep 3:\n Once prepped, paint the wall in your chosen base paint color. This headboard idea is a great way to tie together color palettes in a room. Take a look at our \nsample boxes\n for some inspiration. Leave your paint to dry.\nStep 4:\n Using your measuring tape, measure your bed to find the centre point  (horizontally and vertically) and mark it on the wall with your pencil.\nStep 4:\n Cut your string to the length of your desired circle diameter (leaving a few extra cms to tie the string around your nail and pencil).  \nStep 5:\n Hammer your nail into your mid-point (don’t worry, you’ll fill this later). \nStep 6:\n Using the string to guide you, with your pencil draw a semi-circle in one consistent movement. \nStep 7:\n \nVery\n carefully (easy does it), begin painting the edges of your circle using your cutting brush. Once you’ve covered the tricky outer edges, you can use a larger paintbrush for the inner circle.  \nStep 8:\n Remove the central nail and cover-up using filler and sandpaper. \nStep 9:\n Use a fine paintbrush for touch-ups where needed.\nHow to make a DIY rectangular painted wall headboard\nThis DIY rectangular painted wall headboard design looks great in highly contrasting colors: a light \nbeige\n with \nblack paint\n or gentle \npinks\n with deep \ngreens\n. Add some wall mounted bedside tables or lamps, and you’ve got an easy to execute stylish look on your hands.

Step 1:\n As ever, ensure you’ve got the tools to get the job done.\nYou’ll need:\n\nPaint\n (take a look at our full range of \npaint supplies\n to get the job done)\nMasking tape\nMeasuring tape\n\nPaint roller \nand \npaint tray\n\n\nPaintbrush\n\nSpirit Level\nPencil\n\nStep 2:\n Begin by \nprepping your wall for painting\n. \nStep 3: \nOnce prepped, paint the wall in your chosen base paint color. Leave your paint to dry.\nStep 4: \nUsing your measuring tape, measure your bed’s width. Decide the width and height of your painted wall headboard and mark these points. You’ll probably want it to extend around 50cms either side of your bed and the same, if not more above your mattress.\nStep 4:\n Mark these measurements on the wall using your pencil. \nStep 5:\n Using your spirit level and a pencil, draw a straight line horizontally and vertically on either side of your bed. \nStep 6: \nNext, take your masking tape, sticking it to the wall on the outer edge of your pencilled line.  \nStep 7:\n Get your roller and chosen paint color and paint between the lines. Leave to try. \nStep 8: \nOnce you’re certain your paint has dried (very important. Otherwise, you might end up smudging your hard work), remove the masking tape. Marvel at your razor-edge lines.\nAnd that’s it! A ‘How to’ guide for two of our favourite (and easiest) DIY painted wall headboard ideas. If you liked this, why not take a look at these \n9 statement headboard ideas for your bedroom.\n

It probably comes as no surprise that getting crafty at Christmas is one of the nation’s favourite things to do. From baking delicious treats, to dressing the perfect tree – we go crazy for a bit of festive DIY.\n \nThis year, more than ever – we’ve explored ways to keep ourselves busy and entertained, whilst having to spend more time at home.\n \nTo inspire your Christmas even further, we’ve pulled together five DIY decorations that you can try yourselves – and it won’t even break the bank to recreate them, either! Tried and tested by the following Instagram pro’s - here’s our favourite little designs, that can make a big statement this season…

Homemade gift bows\n \nLuke (\n@lukearthurwells\n) very kindly built a tutorial, showing Instagram how to create the perfect DIY bow for your gifts, this Christmas. Why not give it a go, and impress all your family and friends with some expert gift wrap.\n \nWhat you will need:\nRibbon of choice\nDouble sided tape\nNeedle & thread\nRuler\nScissors\n \nStep 1: \nTo begin, cut 5 pieces of ribbon; x2 at 18cm long, x2 at 16cm long and x1 at 10cm long. Then fold each ribbon in half (apart from the smallest one), allowing a crease mark to appear.\n \nStep 2: \nFold over and under one end of the first piece of 18cm long ribbon, and use your double-sided tape to secure it to the middle of the crease. See images for direction. Do the same for the other side of the ribbon, so both ends now meet in the middle. Repeat for both lengths of 16cm ribbon, too.\n \nStep 3: \nTake another piece of double-sided tape and secure the two newly formed pieces together, in a cross-like shape. See images for direction.\n \nStep 4:\n With the remaining 10cm ribbon, take your needle and thread, and run a loose stitch down one side of the ribbon –  also making sure you leave a couple of centimetres of thread either side of the ribbon too. Once this is done, pull each end of the thread, allowing the ribbon to bunch up - then tie them together. This will create a small, rosette design for you to stick in the centre of your bow.

“ Handmade gifts always go down well, and I think the same goes for wrapping presents - those details really make them feel extra special.”

Pampas mirror topper\n \nTaking inspiration from Instagram’s obsession with pampas grass this year, Nina (\n@nina_moves_in) \ncreated a beautiful, dried grass mirror topper for her arched mirror. In the search for something less traditional, she designed this cloud-like topper to sit at the top of the mirror and jazz it up Christmas.\n \nWhat you will need:\n-       6-8 fluffy stems of pampas grass, and any other dried grass you wish to include\n-       Floristry wire\n-       Oasis (suitable for dried grass)\n-       Small Christmas baubles attached to fishing wire (optional)\n \nStep 1:\n Take the oasis and the floristry wire and attach it to the top of your mirror - using the brackets at the back.\nStep 2: \nSplit your pampas grass stems into smaller branches, then begin adding your grasses into the oasis; ensuring that you create an even design of pampas on both sides. Start from the sides and slowly build around to the middle.\nStep 3: \nOnce you’re happy with the design, you can start adding your small Christmas decorations by attaching them to fishing wire and tying them into the centre of the fixture – allowing them to dangle down delicately. This will help to add a touch of glamour and sparkle to the design.  

“Getting creative at Christmas time is one of my favourite things to do.”

Paper origami stars\nDan (\n@_millergrey)\n gave his Instagram followers the perfect tutorial for making your very own paper origami stars, to use as decorations or gift wrap design. We just love how simple and effective this is – and we can’t wait to perfect this one ourselves!\n \nWhat you will need:\n-       Paper, in the color of your choice\n-       Template downloaded from Dan’s website\n-       Pencil and ruler\n-       Scissors\n \nTo follow Dan’s step-by-step tutorial \ndownload the perfect sized template\n for the activity.– click the link below.

“These stars are an amazing way of using up leftover scraps of wrapping paper - though be as creative as you want to be.”

Foliage mantle display \nDaniela (\n@danielatascayork\n) created the most beautiful arrangement for her mantel piece, by spending just £20! The arrangement contains some foliage bought from her local supermarket, as well as some foraged items that she found by heading out on a walk with a pair of scissors.\n \nWhat you will need:\n-       Foliage and/ or flowers\n-       Oasis\n-       Secateurs\n-       Floristry wire

“I wanted the design to feel ethereal and cloudy, like a frosty winter’s walk through the forest."

Hand painted / DIY Christmas baubles\nTeam Lick decided to use some of Lick’s trusty, pre-primed paint to up-cycle some ceramic baubles this Christmas. Using colors to suit anyone’s aesthetic, we simply used some sanding paper to sand down the baubles, took a paint brush and got to work. Upgrading simple baubles with just a lick of paint!\n \nWhat you will need:\n-       Plain (ceramic baubles)\n-       Sandpaper\n-       Paint brush\n-       Leftover paint\nIf you fancy giving any of these DIY decorations a go yourself, be sure to tag us @lick. Want more festive decor inspo? Join in on our \n12 days of Christmas content series\n.

Did you hear? We’ve just launched our \ncollab with Livingetc\n — the \nLick x Living Etc palette: Neo Deco pastels paint collection\n. With 7 playful colors to choose from, it’s the perfect palette to set your home up for summer, \nMiami Art Deco style\n. Once you’ve had a good ol’ browse through the paint colors, you’ll soon be wondering which ones you should select for your space, which rooms to use them in, and how creative you can get with this palette.\n\nThe good news? Multiple colors from this collection can be used in one room for that much-loved spring and summer vibe. All the colors in this palette are yellow based and have been carefully designed and developed to work harmoniously together.\n\nJust feast your eyes below...

Equally, the colors don’t \nneed\n to be used side by side to make an impact. This collection is designed to decorate your whole house - use them across different rooms and they’ll all compliment each other. For instance, you could use the blues and creamy white on the walls and the deep burgundy as a highlight detail around a door frame in the living room, leading into a dusty pink dining room. Other great combinations include pairing the white, yellow and green mint blue, the white and burgundy, or the pink & white.\n\nDon’t be afraid to get super creative with this palette — the amount of fun color combinations here are endless. Discover how to style the Miami Neo Deco pastel paint colors in the different rooms of your home, with recommendations from our Lead Color Specialist, Tash.\nHow to style mint green paint in your home\n\nAlthough it’s called \nBlue 09\n because of its strong blue undertones, this paint color is actually a soft mint green (our take on \nduck egg blue paint)\n. From bathrooms to hallways, you can use it in multiple rooms to bring those calming outdoor vibes in and create the \nultimate spring colors palette\n in your home.

How to style baby sky blue paint in your home\nGet permanent blue skies in your home office by painting your study with the perfect \nsky blue paint: Blue 08\n. This soothing color will evoke a feeling of calm as you deal with your workday. Hey, anything to reduce the stress of those back-to-back Zoom meetings. 

How to style warm sunset yellow paint in your home\n\nCraving some sun? Inject some warmth into your home with a few coats of \nYellow 03\n. This warm sunset yellow would work well in hallways or add a playful touch to a guest bedroom, potentially on the ceiling if you’re not \nquite\n ready to add that much yellow to your walls. It’s also a great accent color to use on tired-looking furniture pieces that could do with a bit of a make-over.

How to style dusky powder blue paint in your home\n\nAdd a burst of the powdery, \ndusky powder Blue 10 paint\n for a pop of color in your bedroom or bathroom. This shade would also look great on ceilings, giving you that bright blue Miami sky throughout the year.

How to style dusty blush pink paint in your home\n\nWant to create the ultimate cocooning spot? Paint your bedroom walls with the earthy blush \nPink 05\n and snooze in style. It would also work really well in a living room, giving you the perfect backdrop to lounge. Or add a burst of this comforting color in your dining room, painting the ceiling pink and pairing with creamy white walls.

How to style dark velvety purple paint in your home\n\nThe most ‘dramatic’ color in this palette, \ndark Purple 03 paint\n is a rich burgundy purple with deep blue undertones. It may be a little too rich to paint all over the four walls of a room, but Tash recommends using it as an accent color in your bedroom or hallway to add a bit of depth and drama. It would also look great on your kitchen cabinets, especially if you contrast it with creamy white walls.

How to style creamy white paint in your home\n\nFinally, we’ve got the creamy \nWhite 03\n with a warm yellow base. This would work well in a south facing bedroom or a living room where you’re looking to create the illusion of more space. It also pairs well with pretty much every other color in this palette.

Now, you may actually want to get a closer look at the colors yourself to test them out on your own walls. Easily done, simply \norder some peel-and-stick paint samples\n from the \nLick x Living Etc Neo Deco pastels paint collection\n and work out which color combinations and shades work best for your space.

Although it’s become increasingly popular over the last few years, open shelving is one of those design trends that has been around for ages, dating all the way back to the 18th century. It’s one of those design choices that you either love or you hate, but with \nthe rise of Japandi interior style\n (a blend of Japanese design with \nScandinavian decor\n) and \nminimalist kitchens\n, open shelving is a feature that looks set to stay on-trend.\nSo, what is open shelving?\nOpen shelving is shelving that isn’t tucked away inside a cupboard or a cabinet, meaning that everything you pop on the shelves is out for display. It essentially looks like a cupboard with shelves but no doors.\n\nNow, it may not be for everyone, but there’s a lot to like about it, as it offers both functional and aesthetic benefits. And there are ways to work around any clutter concerns you may have. Read on to discover more about this ‘controversial’ interior design trend and how to best use open shelving in your kitchen.\nOpen kitchen shelving - why the buzz? \nSo where do all the strong opinions on open kitchen shelving come from? Here’s the good stuff:\nIf well styled, open shelving gives you an aesthetically pleasing and Instagrammable corner of your kitchen. Search for ‘kitchen shelf styling’ or ‘kitchen shelfie decor’ on Pinterest and you’ll be served with thousands of chic ideas to get you started. Your open kitchen shelves give you the perfect place to show off all your cookbooks, indoor plants, and favourite glassware. More on kitchen shelving ideas later. 
\nOpen shelves are convenient, offering you easy access to all your plates, pots and whatever else you choose to stash there. And you get a clear view of your kitchen items, which saves you having to root around the back of a dark cupboard.\nIf you’re working with a \nsmall kitchen\n, overhead cupboards can make it feel even smaller, while open shelving can help open up a space, making the room feel lighter and less enclosed. On the note of small kitchens, \ngreen kitchen paint\n is one of the best colors for a small kitchens.\n

All that sounds great, so what’s the issue? One of the main concerns that many people have with open shelving is the fact that all their clutter will be out on full display. But you could also say that having everything in open view would help eliminate clutter, as you may keep things tidy to avoid facing an unsightly mess every time you pop in for a snack.\n\nAnother point that open shelving nay-sayers bring up is that the shelves look slightly ‘unfinished’ without cupboard doors. But that’s also where you can really make use of styling to turn shelves into a design feature rather than just an old fashioned cupboard. Open shelving offers you the opportunity to tackle storage \nand\n style, with just a few slabs of wood.\nIdeas for decorating your kitchen shelves\nOnce you’re sold on the idea of open shelves, the next step is figuring out how to decorate them. Check out some of our favourite kitchen shelf styling ideas below:\n\nCookbooks\nWe’ve all got a hardcover cookbook or two lying around somewhere. Dust it off and display with pride on your open shelves. And hey, it may even inspire you to try a new recipe or two.

Colored glassware and mugs\nYour open shelf is only as stylish as what you display on it. Upgrade your glassware to a more eye-catching color and make your drinking experience a lot more pleasing to the eye.

Indoor plants\nAn affordable and impactful addition to your open shelves, indoor plants will add splashes of color to your kitchen shelf while also helping you nail the current interior design trend of bringing the outdoors in. 

Handmade clay plates\nGet your hands on some handmade dinnerware for a trendy and unique look. We love the look of handmade clay plates, the type that you may find in your coolest local independent coffee shop.

Paint the back of the shelves a different color \nMake a statement with a pop of contrasting color by painting the back of your shelves with a different color to the rest of the walls. It’s a sure-fire tactic to turn your open shelves into a design feature without having to worry too much about styling them. Explore our \nrange of designer wall paints\n for \nsome kitchen paint color ideas\n and pop some color onto those shelves! You can also play around with contrasting your shelves to your kitchen cupboards. Learn \nhow to paint kitchen cupboards here\n.

Looking for painting tips and decorating advice? Check out our blog posts about \nhow to paint different furniture surfaces\n, \n8 Japandi home decor ideas\n and \n10 tips to decorate your home like a real Scandinavian\n.

A major part of decorating success? Arming yourself with the right tools. \nNavigating your way through the decor aisle can be daunting, we know. If you’ve ever stepped into a DIY store and walked out feeling slightly overwhelmed, we’re here to simplify matters a little. Gather the goods you need using the list below.

Brushes\n
Along with a quality tin of paint, the right paintbrush or wallpaper brush is \nessential\n for a flawless finish. Invest in a 2-inch angled brush to ‘cut in’ the edges so you can reach all those inner nooks and crannies. It’s easy to control so you’ll also find it useful for painting door and window frames.\nRollers\n
Use a large roller to apply paint to bigger surface areas three times faster than you would using a paintbrush. Invest in a mini roller for tight corners and to blend your cut in edges.\n\nIf you're painting high ceilings, opt for a \npaint roller extension pole\n to help you reach them.

Painting tray\n
Pour your paint out into a \npaint tray\n that you can easily dip your roller into. Look for a stable base with a deep enough pit and invest in some disposable liners to save yourselves the scrubbing hassle.\nWallpaper adhesive/paste\n
Hang wallpaper up with a lick of high-quality wallpaper and wallpaper adhesive/paste and it’s up there for the long haul. Lay a trimmed sheet of wallpaper down on a table and apply a thin film of wallpaper paste on the back using a paint roller. Allow the paste to soak in (using the manufacturer’s recommended time) and proceed to hang. \n(Tip: Find out whether your wallpaper material requires a specific paste before you buy. You can get wallpaper paste as a powder to mix with water,  but we’d recommend investing in ready-mixed adhesive to save time.)

Masking tape \n
What DIY project does good old fashioned \npainters masking tape\n \nnot\n help with? Use masking tape (AKA painter’s tape) to protect those areas that you don’t want splatters of paint on. Simply mask off your baseboard and the edge of your flooring before getting your paint on. Trust us, it’ll stay put. \n(Tip: Remove masking tape immediately after painting to avoid peeling off any of your handywork. For more tips, check out \nhow to use masking tape when decorating\n)\nSteamers\n
Sick of the sight of your current wallpaper? Remove it using a wallpaper steamer (learn \nhow to use a wallpaper removal steamer\n). It works by using hot water to soften the wallpaper adhesive so it comes off with easel. It’s a lot quicker than tackling the entire area with a stripping knife. Which takes us nicely to the next tool… \nWallpaper stripping knife\n
Get rid of your wallpaper traditional way - using a sharp wallpaper stripping knife. We’d recommend using a 4-inch wide stripping knife and using sharp and short movements to strip your wallpaper off.\nProtective glasses and masks\n
Safety first. Slip on some safety glasses to protect your eyes from any sawdust or old peeling paint. Put a mask on to protect yourself from any fumes. \n(Tip: At Lick, we’ve designed our paint to be fume-free and low in VOC.)\nFiller/caulk\n
Deal with any holes or gaps in your wall by adding wall filler or caulk for a smooth and solid surface to paint/paper on. The difference? Filler sets hard and can be sanded smooth, so it’s best to use pre-painting or wallpapering. Caulk is a better choice for flexible fillings, such as around windows and stairs. \nFilling knife \n
Use a filling knife to apply filler into those holes and gaps. Choose one with a stainless steel blade and a comfy handle for easy use. \nScraper \n
Get a sturdy wide scraper to (you guessed it) scrape away old paint and wallpaper. \nSandpaper \n
Keep a few pieces of sandpaper at hand to sand down your freshly filled in walls and smooth away any bumpy surfaces before painting or wallpapering. (It’s actually quite enjoyable...) \nDrop cloth\n
Usually made of canvas or plastic (we’d recommend canvas), use a drop cloth to protect your floors and furnishings from paint splodges and splatters.\nExtension handle\n
\nUse an extension handle to make it easier for you to reach high walls and ceilings with your paint roller. 

How to

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How to style open shelving in your kitchen

How to use different decorating tools