Painting a wall or room a vibrant color like purple has become an increasingly popular trend in interior design over the last few years. But why specifically has purple emerged as a go-to bold and beautiful paint color for many homeowners and renters alike?
The Psychology Behind Purple
There are a few key psychological and emotional reasons behind the appeal of purple walls:
- Creative and Imaginative – Purple is often associated with creativity and imagination. Painting a wall purple can help inspire new ideas and innovative thinking.
- Regal and Luxurious – Shades of purple are linked to royalty, luxury, and opulence throughout history. Purple walls can make a space feel rich and sophisticated.
- Spiritual and Mystical – Purple has spiritual and mystical connotations in many cultures and religions. Some believe it can promote inner peace and higher consciousness.
- Calming and Soothing – While vibrant, many lighter and softer shades of purple have a calming and tranquilizing effect on the mind and body.
- Unique and Unconventional – Choosing such an unexpected dramatic color for walls can allow homeowners to express their individuality and creative side.
So psychologically, the color purple stimulates creative energy while also promoting relaxation – an appealing combination for many when choosing interior paint colors.
The History of Purple as a Color of Royalty
One of the main reasons purple walls and decor have a luxurious, sophisticated feel is because of the color’s long history of being associated with royalty and nobility. Dating back thousands of years:
- In ancient Egypt, Tyrian purple dye made from sea snails was extremely rare and expensive, worn only by the royal family and other elites.
- In imperial Rome, the emperors wore special purple robes to denote their high status.
- Medieval European kings and queens frequently wore purple garments and sat on thrones draped in purple velvet, a tradition that continued into the 18th century and beyond.
- The British Crown today still uses shades of purple in royal insignia, orders, and decoration.
This regal lineage lends an air of luxury and exclusivity to the color purple, making it an appealing paint choice for creating an upscale, majestic ambiance in a room.
Complementary Color Theory
Purple walls don’t just look great on their own – this dramatic color also pairs excellently with a range of other colors due to color theory:
- Opposite the color wheel from green, purple is a complementary color that creates a bold, vibrant contrast when paired with greens.
- Analogous colors like blue, red-violet, and rose coordinate seamlessly with different hues of purple.
- Triadic color combinations that use equidistant colors on the color wheel, like purple, yellow, and turquoise, form an energetic, striking palette.
- Purple also complements neutrals like white and gray, adding visual interest and a punch of color to otherwise neutral spaces.
This color harmony with many diverse palettes gives people great flexibility when it comes to accenting and decorating a purple wall for maximum decorative impact.
Growing Popularity in Interior Design Trends
Using purple as a feature wall or accent wall color has gained significant popularity over the past five years, appearing everywhere from home design magazines and blogs to Pinterest boards and Instagram:
- In 2020, Pantone declared Classic Blue their color of the year. In 2021, they chose two colors – Ultimate Gray and Illuminating. These cool, calming colors paved the way for more people to embrace purple.
- After years dominated by gray and beige minimalism, people have been seeking ways to incorporate more color, pattern, and personality into home decor. Purple offers an easy way to do so.
- Younger millennials and Generation Z in particular have been driving the shift to bolder, unconventional design choices like purple walls as a form of self-expression.
- Advances in paint technology allow for stunning pops of color while still keeping purple walls relatively low maintenance compared to wallpaper or Purple is associated with creativity and imagination.
As a result, decorators and civilians alike have felt empowered to use purple as a striking focal point in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and elsewhere throughout the home.
Popular Purple Paint Colors and Tones
Homeowners have endless options when painting walls purple thanks to the wide spectrum of purple, violet, and lavender paint colors available. Some popular tones include:
- Amethyst Orchid – A jewel-toned purple with reddish undertones, perfect for dramatic accent walls.
- Provence Lavender – A soft, lighter purple with gray undertones, great for bedrooms.
- Royal Purple – A classic, rich purple reminiscent of medieval robes and velvets.
- Elderberry – A medium purple with blue undertones, creating a soothing ambiance.
- Wisteria – A dusty lilac shade inspired by the hanging purple flowers.
- Majestic Violet – A vibrant purple with blue undertones, ideal for making a bold statement.
Whether going for an intense, deep purple or soft pastel lavender, there are so many shades to choose from when painting walls purple that homeowners are sure to find their perfect match.
Should You Paint Your Walls Purple? Considerations.
Ready to take the purple plunge? Here are a few things to consider first before painting your walls this royal color:
- Lighting – Darker purples can appear more drab and muted in low light. Lighter purples will read best in a space with ample natural light.
- Room Size – Vibrant purple walls have maximum visual impact in a moderately sized or small room. They can feel overwhelming in an already cavernous room.
- Ceiling Height – Painting just an accent wall purple can work in rooms with low ceilings. High-ceilinged rooms can usually accommodate full purple walls without feeling closed in.
- Furniture and Decor – The existing furnishings and decor should coordinate with purple walls. Cool-toned woods or metallics suit purple best.
- Personal Taste – While increasingly popular, purple walls are still an unconventional choice, so consider if the color suits your personality and design sensibilities.
If even a small splash of purple paint feels like too much commitment, consider starting with purple decorative accents or artwork first before painting walls.
How to Decorate and Accentuate Purple Walls
When painting walls purple, the right decor and accents can not only complement the walls but enhance their vibrancy. Decor tips include:
- Metallics like silver, gold, and rose gold bring out purple’s luxurious side.
- Mirrors magnify and bounce around the rich color.
- Artwork with purple or complementary colors adds more visual interest.
- Greenery and indoor plants provide natural contrast.
- White trim prevents the purple from feeling overwhelming.
- Area rugs in contrasting colors define spaces within the room.
- Cushions, throws, and accent pieces in analogous colors reinforce the color scheme.
When decorating a purple room, creative mix-and-match is key – combining purple with analogous colors, complementaries, neutrals, metallics, and natural elements results in a layered, inviting space.
Maintaining Purple Walls
While purple may seem like a bold color choice for walls, advances in interior latex paint technology have made it no more difficult to maintain purple walls than white or beige ones. Some maintenance tips:
- Use a high-quality, long-lasting interior paint specifically made for walls and trim. Avoid craft/art paints.
- Thoroughly clean walls first before painting for best paint adhesion.
- Prime walls if changing from a significantly darker color to purple.
- Apply two coats of finish paint for best coverage and intensity of color.
- Use satin, eggshell, or semi-gloss finishes for easy wipe-downs.
- Re-paint high-traffic areas like hallways after 3-5 years.
- Spot clean walls as needed using gentle cleaners and microfiber cloths.
With proper application and care, vivid purple walls will maintain their eye-catching beauty and color for years before needing a fresh coat of paint.
Do Purple Walls Affect Resale Value?
If you’re hesitating to paint a room purple because you’re worried it may negatively impact resale value if you move, have no fear. Here are some reasons purple walls pose little risk:
- Dark or intense purple colors can easily be repainted lighter or neutral. Many buyers repaint when moving in anyway.
- In most cases, bold wall colors do not significantly hurt resale value unless very poorly executed.
- Staged properly, purple walls showcase as fun, creative spaces rather than deal-breakers.
- Paint technology allows walls to be easily repainted any color with minimal hassle and expense.
- Vibrant paint colors and personalized design are becoming more desirable to younger buyers.
While resale fate depends on regional and individual buyer tastes, purple walls pose little risk with today’s paint options. And if needed, vibrant purple is easily tuned down to a more neutral lavender or gray for resale.
Conclusion
From its royal pedigree to its soothing yet uplifting psyche, purple endures as an beloved paint color choice to add flair to any space. Modern purple paint hues range from romantic pastels to bold jewel tones, offering endless options for every interior design vision. And with the right complementary accents, purple walls can feel cohesive and welcoming in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and more. So do not fear the purple – embrace it proudly and confidently as the kings and queens of old once did. Paint your castle walls purple and unlock a space that inspires creativity, relaxation, and self-expression.
