Graffiti in the interior: advantages, methods, application

Not everyone likes “rock painting” of our time, “decorating” (or beautifying?) urban space! But it exists and, therefore, someone likes it. Graffiti in the interior is a solution that allows a person who loves this type of “art” (or art!), without annoying others, to embody an understanding of beauty on the walls of his home. As for the dispute between fans and haters of graffiti, a little more than a hundred years have passed since the Paris Autumn Salon of 1905, at which Matisse and his comrades called themselves “rabid” - Fauvists. Paintings by “mad” authors have been decorating the walls of not only museums in France, but also the Hermitage for decades.

This is not graffiti. This is “Murnau – Landscape with a Green House” by Wassily Kandinsky, written in 1909.

Advantages of graffiti in the interior

Intellectual arguments are given to justify the graffiti in the interior of the apartment:

freedom and rebellious spirit of the dweller;
the breadth of views of the owner of the apartment;
the uniqueness of each drawing.

The mundane, but also worthy of consideration, points are also important:

the drawing expands the space of the room, increasing visual volume;
graffiti does not require careful finishing of the surface on which it is applied;
drawings zone the room;
moisture-resistant paints do not interfere with wet cleaning of the wall with the painting, are endowed with antiseptic properties and do not lose brightness over time.

Kitchen

Graffiti in the kitchen looks very stylish. You can paint a wall, a kitchen set or an apron. You should not combine all this together, otherwise you risk achieving a strange effect:

Graffiti interior design methods

Graffiti in the interior of a room is definitely a unique work. It can be placed on part of the wall, the entire wall, go to the ceiling and cover the floor. Even repeating the subjects of paintings by masters of painting, the author of the wall drawing expresses a personal perception of the world around him. In this case, the material basis - the wall on which the image is applied - turns into a co-author. Dictates content and style. The brick wall of the loft implies a picture that brings the space of the room to the street, emphasizing the unity of these spaces. A cramped kitchen becomes more spacious if a picturesque landscape is visible through the painted window. A children's room, whose walls are painted with cartoon characters, is perceived as an anticipation of a fairy tale.

Origins of graffiti culture

The names of modern graffiti authors - Banksy, Keith Haring and others - rank alongside the world's most famous artists. It all started on the streets, where graffiti (from Italian graffito - “scratched”) served as a kind of mark, a way to express oneself among young people.

Bright graffiti on a city street

Initially simple inscriptions with names, symbols or names of street gangs gradually turned into paintings. Graffiti artists are talented at expressing their ideas on the walls of their hometowns, and their works often carry deep social, cultural and political implications.

This is how the graffiti subculture assimilates into modern realities, while maintaining its rebellious spirit.

Applying graffiti in different rooms

The choice of graffiti subjects depends on the purpose of the room, its size, and the tastes of the owner. The ideas for the created decor are borrowed from painting, comics, animated films and from life, transformed by the author’s imagination. This approach turns “wall” painting into an art form.

In the living room , for example, on the wall a view of the city would be appropriate

In a child's room, stories involving fairy-tale and cartoon characters are suitable.

This is what a room for a 7-10 year old child might look like. A teenager will like a different design. Let's say this:

or this:

By the way, why shouldn’t a teenager take part in creating graffiti in his room? What if he does better than his parents...

In the bedroom they try to keep the decor in pastel romantic colors:

A theme related to the aquatic environment is suitable for the bathroom:

When working on the interior design of apartment rooms, you should remember that the main rule of creating artistic graffiti is the absence of rules in the freedom of expression of the artist!

Photo wallpaper when decorating a room for teenage children

What should you consider before creating a style?

If finishing work is planned to be carried out in a small room , then it is better to opt for a design that can change the visual perception of space - expansion. The interior for a small room should take into account all the nuances and be created in accordance with the tastes of the residents.

As practice shows, most parents use design ideas using photo wallpaper. Today there are a large number of different options on the market, among which you are sure to find the desired pattern.

In adolescence (13-14 years old), it is important for parents to find a common language with their child. At this age, children are developing as individuals, so it is necessary to put them on the right path in life. Before creating a style, it is imperative to find out the opinion of teenagers and, together with them, select photo wallpapers. Such actions will indicate concern for the child and respect for his personal interests. Photo wallpaper will highlight the individuality of a teenager and help achieve the desired results.

Which picture should you choose? For 13 years old, it is better to use modern images, since at this age the child considers himself an adult. This is especially important if living teenagers are often visited by their friends and acquaintances.

How to create graffiti with your own hands

The technology for creating graffiti consists of several stages. First of all, they decide on the pattern chosen as the basis of the image. The sketch is made in a format proportional to the image applied to the wall, that is, the picture on the wall should be the same number of times larger in width and height than the sketch. Otherwise, the proportions will be distorted, and the result on the wall will not correspond to the author’s idea. The wall surface requires a hard surface. Suitable:

unplastered brick;
plaster;
concrete;
drywall covered with a layer of putty.

Important! No peeling, shedding of wall material, or cracks are allowed on the surface. It is necessary that the applied paint does not blur or peel after drying.

Types and options of drawings

Spray painting on the wall comes in many styles. Each of them has its own characteristic features that set it apart from others.

Spray painting on the wall can be an interesting design solution.

Images applied with aerosol paint are usually divided into several groups:

Graffiti.
Plant elements.
Composed drawings combining many details.
Abstractions.

Graffiti, in turn, is divided into:

Graffiti style	Characteristic
Freesyle	The drawings do not have strict restrictions in execution. An artist can create a completely arbitrary image that combines several areas of graffiti.
FX or Daim style, 3D	The style of drawings is named after the founder of this direction - Daim. It was he who introduced the artistic techniques used to decorate walls in various establishments in the 90s. This style can also be seen in advertising when it is used to decorate the external surfaces of houses. It is distinguished by the complexity of its patterns and visual volume.
Computer Roc Style	The style is also called a turning point. The drawings seem to be divided into different fragments, which are inclined in different directions. Such drawings were first seen in the birthplace of graffiti in New York.
Character	The drawings depict comic book characters. Often such art is supplemented with phrases. To realize a plan, you often need to have artistic abilities.
Camouflage	The images differ in the original connections of the details of the picture, as well as their color. Most often, the palette has 2-5 shades. The style is not as impetuous as the “Messian style”, but has the same dynamics. The letters have additional decoration elements, and the shape of the design itself is created using curved lines.
Eclectic	The drawings are complex, with a set of different complex elements. In this style, the author can show his skills and come up with a completely new artistic masterpiece.
Messianic Style	The designs consist of letters that create the effect of overlapping each other. This trend appeared in New York.
Wild style	The drawing is carefully thought out and has a clear outline. The colors and lines are well designed.
Blockbuster	The drawings most often consist of wide and three-dimensional letters. The application technique consists of illumination, the effect of which is imitated by silver and white paints. An alternative to this is to apply the drawing using an outline. Sometimes, if the creation is large, 3 or more artists work simultaneously. For example, one of them will paint the inside of the letters, the second will work on the outline, and the third will work on the three-dimensional effect.
Bubble letters	The letters are rounded to look like bubbles. The design uses 2-3 colors.
Dynamic	Drawings in this style contain all types of graffiti that existed in New York in the 80s. It assumes that art should be viewed in motion, and therefore they are most often applied to cars and other moving objects. Although, there are exceptions. Often drawings can be seen on the walls of houses.
Throw up	There is no emphasis on quality in these drawings. You need to draw quickly, and this is only possible if the art contains simple lines that create letters. Their interior is filled with silver or white paint.

Not so long ago, drawings from the street migrated to apartment space. Just a couple of years ago this innovation was not popular. But now designers skillfully combine graffiti with interior design. This innovation not only has a beautiful visual effect, but will also help hide repair flaws, if any. To apply drawings, you do not need to additionally level the walls or supplement them with decorative elements.

Graffiti itself will become a dominant feature in home decoration. Designers advise using it in an apartment if it is decorated in high-tech style. It is the living space, decorated minimalistically, but at the same time technologically, that will open up a lot of opportunities for decorating the walls with drawings. A high-tech apartment allows you to use large spaces for creativity. However, don't use every wall as a canvas for painting.

It is enough to apply one small image to diversify the decor and add bright notes to it. In this case, the lines of the drawing should be thin so as not to burden it.

Drawings on the wall would look appropriate in an apartment decorated in an industrial style or a loft. In such residential premises, the decor is as close as possible to the brutal atmosphere of factory floors: high ceilings, lack of interior partitions, complete or partial absence of wall decoration. If you move away from the classic styles of graffiti, the designs can be matched to almost any apartment.

When there is a lot of free space on the walls in a living room, it can be diluted with the following types of drawings:

Abstractions. Pairs perfectly with modern apartment design styles. Such a pattern can dilute the monochrome decor of a living space. The size of the image should correspond to the area of the room. If the room is small, then the drawing should be small. The best background is a neutral wall color or wallpaper with small abstract elements. Images are most often placed in the living room or hallway.
Plant elements (tropical leaves, flowers). Trees are versatile and look beautiful on the wall in the bedroom or living room.
Sketches with animals (especially important when decorating a children's room).

But, unlike graffiti, the wall must be pre-treated for such drawings. The image will look sloppy if the surface is rough and has defects. Drawings on the wall look very beautiful when it is painted and not wallpapered. The image can be large, filling the entire space, or consist of several small elements. What scale and style to choose is up to the owner of the living space to decide.

Necessary materials

For work, they stock up on materials: paints in aerosol packaging, i.e. in cans, paints in their usual form and solvents. You will need brushes, a small spatula, and personal protective equipment. The latter are necessary because some solvents used to dilute paints applied to large surfaces create a deadly atmosphere in enclosed spaces. In this situation, a hose gas mask will not be superfluous. It is worth considering in advance the organization of ventilation of the room in which the wall painting will be created. In the creative process, felt-tip pens are used, which are either purchased ready-made or made independently. Thin lines are applied with special nozzles for aerosol cans, or with brushes and felt-tip pens. The same tools are used to depict objects 1 cm in size. Pencils will be required to transfer the contours of the drawing to the wall. The presence of plastic film will protect the furniture in the room from spray paint. You will need thick cardboard, scissors and a sharp carpenter's knife. Using the mentioned tools, the stencils necessary for the work will be cut out of cardboard.

Drawing tools

Spray painting on the wall requires quality art material.

Considering that the image will be located in a residential area, the paint must meet the following requirements:

Does not contain toxic compounds. The can may indicate that it can be used indoors.
The enamel should not fade from sunlight. This will ensure lasting results over time. This paint is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation, which is especially important for apartments on the sunny side.
Have good water resistance. This will make wet cleaning easy, because you won’t have to worry about removing the image from the wall with the dust. This is especially true when decorating a bathroom.

When purchasing an aerosol can, you need to look at what surfaces it is suitable for. The walls can be made of metal, finished with plaster or brick. You can purchase a universal paint composition, but preference should be given to the can that will match the wall material. This will contribute to the high quality and durability of the design.

But besides this, when buying paint you should pay attention to the decorative paint solvent:

Solvent	Peculiarities	Where can I use it?
Oily	Not suitable for long lasting images.	Doesn't apply well to any surface.
Latex	Suitable for walls exposed to high humidity. Easy to use. Has no toxic substances or odor.	Suitable for any walls.
Water-dispersed	The most budget option. Suitable for painting indoors with moderate humidity. Not durable. It is recommended to coat finished drawings with colorless varnish.	Suitable for any walls + wallpaper.
Silicone	Increased moisture resistance and strength. You can draw on the balcony or terrace.	Suitable for all types of walls.

In addition, aerosol cans have different bases:

Alkyd	The peculiarity of this base is that after drying in paint under the influence of atmospheric oxygen, the polymerization process continues. Enamel molecules adhere more tightly to each other, which increases their resistance to solvents. This process takes up to 2 weeks. Advantages: high adhesion to metals, weather resistance and hardness. The enamel fades less. Apply the paint layer by layer without waiting for it to dry: wet on wet, no later than 2 hours after applying the previous one. If this is not possible, then you should wait for complete polymerization of the enamel and apply the second layer only after 2 weeks. The drawings do not require additional varnish coating.
Acrylic	After spraying the paint, the solvent evaporates, the enamel dries, and the drawing is ready. Advantages: short drying time (1-2 hours), rich color, high adhesion to plastic and elasticity. This paint works best on plastic products. Resistance to solvents is moderate. To prepare surfaces for applying acrylic, you can use any primer.
Cellulose essential	Used to give the picture a glossy effect. They are not stable, and therefore they are fixed with varnish.
Silicon-organic	Heat-resistant paint that does not require preliminary priming of the walls. Enamels can withstand temperatures up to 800°C. The disadvantage of such enamels is that after application they need to be calcined, which is inconvenient indoors.

When purchasing an aerosol can, you should pay attention to the effects of the paint.

Paints can be:

Chameleons - change their color depending on the lighting.
Matte – gives an even shade.
Fluorescent – have a glow effect. Such paints are used not as a dominant color, but to highlight a separate element.
Glossy - shimmers in the light.
Craquelure - create a pattern in the style of antiquity. As a result, the “cracking” effect will be visible even visually.
Metallized - imitate the shine of metals.

Aerosol dyes from the Netherlands are very popular. The palette includes over 150 RAL shades that can be used to decorate interior spaces.

Preparation and application

The sketch chosen for implementation must be transferred to the wall. This is done using a soft drawing pencil, which is used to mark the contours of the drawing. Depending on the skill level of the performer, “options are possible.” Aerobatics - free drawing. Only a professional artist can do this! Those who do not have such qualifications use craft techniques by transferring the sketch, having previously drawn it into squares. It is possible to use a technique that transfers the reflection of the sketch to the wall. The simplest option is a slide projector. True, for this you first need to make a sketch slide. There is no shame in using self-made or purchased ready-made stencils in your work. This simplifies and speeds up the work.

When the outlines of the image are transferred to the wall, begin painting. First, apply the main color over the area and allow the painting to dry. Then, in a similar way, other colors are applied, occupying smaller areas. At the end, thin boundary lines and small details are drawn. The finished painting is given time to dry and the room is ventilated.

Important! When working with caustic paints, we must not forget about safety precautions! Neglecting a gas mask and ventilation, the creator, carried away by the process, risks serious poisoning!

Appeal to professionals

The easiest way to do graffiti in an apartment is to turn to professionals. You can pre-order several sketches for painting the walls in the room. The artist's services will not cost much. In addition, an image drawn by a professional is incomparable. It is full of energy, dynamism, unique in execution and plot.

Professional writers, as a rule, paint with aerosol paints. Sprays help regulate the density of the paint layer, create rich or blurry and indistinct lines and images. In addition, professionals know where monumental painting ends and real graffiti begins. After all, this street style also has its own characteristic features.

Tips for creating and maintaining graffiti

Having decided to use graffiti in the design of a room, which in itself is bold, you should put aside doubts and not be afraid of shocking visuals. Experiments can result in truly stylish results. If success is not so obvious or doubtful, there is no need to become discouraged. Believe: next time it will be better!

In order for the paintings that decorate the walls of your home to live a long life, they should be protected from direct bright sunlight. It is also recommended to maintain temperature and humidity conditions. In case of excessive contamination, graffiti made with moisture-resistant paints is washed.

Graffiti is good because it is democratic and budget-friendly. The costs here are incomparably lower than when decorating interiors with frescoes. The latter, as you know, are another way to decorate walls. But not many people can do a fresco with their own hands.

Emphasis on the floor

Why not paint the floor? This solution is also quite realistic and interesting! Clear and prepare your space and start creating. But first, determine exactly where the drawing will appear. The first option is in the very center. The drawing will become the heart of the room and its bright accent. The second option is placement in a certain zone. So, if there is a sofa in the room where a teenager relaxes or spends time with friends, then graffiti can be drawn in front of him.

Graffiti on the ceiling will not be as striking as a wall or floor image, but it will definitely not go unnoticed and will add a bit of exclusivity to the interior. If the house has old or unnecessary furniture that you don’t mind, then you can give it a second life by completely updating the facade. So, stunning graffiti will turn an ordinary wardrobe into a stylish element of the interior. You can paint any piece of furniture, for example, a chest of drawers, a nightstand, or even a headboard.