Trompe l’oeil is a French phrase that literally means “trick the eye” and is a technique used for painting on a wall, that gives the illusion of reality, rather than a picture, by imitating perspective and/or other paint effects.

The light and space that can be conjured up can be seen in examples of past projects, for example, where a continuation of a hallway opens up the end of an otherwise dark corridor, the three-dimensional effect both lightening and brightening the area at the same time as creating the illusion of length.

Click through to the Gallery to see how this effect can be used in your kitchen, hallway or bathroom as well as on a feature wall in a garden or in the conservatory. A trompe l’oeil can be classical, contemporary, or humorous. We should point out though that as good as they look in pictures or onscreen, you’ll be amazed at how much better they’ll look in your own home. You won’t believe your eyes – and nor should you!