White stairs in a hallway with bright yellow (Trumpet) contrasting stair risers and a black and grey baseboard.

Refreshing Interior Woodwork

More time at home means that many of us are taking the opportunity to refresh our living spaces and importantly, create somewhere that we enjoy spending time.

If updating a whole room feels a little overwhelming, consider planning smaller projects.

For a simple transformation that can change the feeling of a room, update existing woodwork such as baseboards, door frames and window sills.

These small details can make a big impact on your final scheme and are the perfect place to be adventurous with colour.

Walls: Loft White
Baseboard (from top to bottom): Urbane Grey & Lamp Black
Stair risers: Trumpet
Flooring: Shallows

Living room with green leaf wallpaper (Clutterbuck - Lodge), green panelling (Sage & Onions) and white ceiling with coving.

Select a shade within your existing wallpaper palette and use bold, bright tones to coordinate fabulously with door frames and baseboards for an impactful highlight. Combine Clutterbuck - Lodge with woodwork in the vibrant green, Hopper, for an engaging living space.

Wallpaper: Clutterbuck – Lodge
Ceiling: Wood Ash
Dado and Lower Wall: Hopper

Hallway featuring blue floral wallpaper (Hencroft - Azure) and dark green paneling and baseboards in Harley Green.

Or team our Hencroft - Azure wallpaper with panelling painted in the rich, deep teal Harley Green for a sophisticated pairing.

Wallpaper: Hencroft – Azure
Panelling & Baseboards: Harley Green

Living room painted in light green 'Pea Green' with a bright pink contrast stripe and pale pink chair.

Painting woodwork in a black or dark green shade is a simple way of creating a contemporary contrast. If you are using a shade of green such as Pea Green for the walls, consider using the profound Obsidian Green on the surrounding woodwork for a coordinated finish.

Cornicing: Slaked Lime
Highlight Stripe: Leather
Wall: Pea Green
Baseboards and Panelling: Obsidian Green

Hallway painted in mustard yellow (Yellow-Pink) with a wooden side table and chair.

Lamp Black is a soft, off-black, making it a little easier on the eye than a true black. Contrast the earthy yellow, Yellow-Pink, with this shade of black on door frames and baseboards to create a contemporary yet welcoming hallway scheme.

Wall: Yellow-Pink
Door frame and baseboard: Lamp Black

Doorway entrance with a grey green (Livid) painted door and doorframe with a contrasting pale pink (Confetti) wall.

Incorporating a muted, earthy tone into a scheme can bring balance and clarity to other shades. Here, Livid has a grounding effect, juxtaposing with the sweetness of Confetti.

Wall: Confetti
Doorframe and Door: Livid
Inside Door Panelling: Gauze – Dark
Above Picture Rail: Lamp Black

Bathroom with paneled off-white (Flint) walls and a contrasting deep blue ceiling with a bathtub and chair by the window.

Window frames are perfect for experimenting with stronger colours. Here, Marigold draws in the light, enhancing the brightness within the space.

Wall: Flint
Ceiling: Deep Space Blue
Window Frame: Marigold

Living room wall painted in plum purple shade 'Adventurer' with a sage green fireplace and a wooden floor.

Select complementary shades for both the fire surround and baseboards to bring all elements of the scheme together and create a harmonious combination. Here, Adventurer combines with the contrasting muted green, Sage Green, on the fireplace for a smart scheme. Introduce Hicks' Blue on the door for a strong colour highlight.

Wall: Adventurer
Fireplace: Sage Green
Door: Hicks’ Blue

Home office with a three-tone wall in a variety of neutral Portland Stone shades and deep aubergine baseboards in Córdoba.

Once you have selected your chosen colour, you need to decide what sort of finish you would like. For extra protection, prime the surface using 'Intelligent ASP (All Surface Primer),' this primer can be used to prepare a diverse range of different surfaces and materials and has a speedy two-hour drying time.

Baseboard: Córdoba
Lower Detail Stripe: Portland Stone – Dark
Middle Detail Stripe: Portland Stone
Upper Detail Stripe: Portland Stone – Pale

Paneled mudroom painted in green shade, Pleat, with contrasting deep red (Heat) shelving.

Intelligent Satin

'Intelligent Satin' has a sheen level of 30-35% and is extremely hard-wearing. A dream to apply, the washable, low-odour paint is dry within four hours so life can continue with very little interruption.

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A bathtub in front of a wall with the lower half in a muted pink (Blush) and the upper wall in grey (Gauze - Dark).

Intelligent Eggshell

'Intelligent Eggshell' has a lower sheen of 15% and has been formulated to resist moisture, staining and general wear and tear. 'Intelligent Eggshell' has a tough yet subtle finish and is an ideal solution for those who want durability with a soft, low-sheen finish.

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Laundry room color drenched in off white 'Linen Wash' with the closet door opened showing wooden drawers and folded laundry.

Intelligent Gloss

'Intelligent Gloss' achieves a more traditional finish with a gloss level of 85%. It is ideal for use on interior woodwork, particularly in rooms which need to be cleaned frequently such as kitchens and bathrooms.

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For more inspiration, explore our image gallery.