Feeling as if your home’s looking a little dull? Then you might want to rethink that monochromatic colour scheme: living in a house full of greys and blacks is sure to leave you feeling cold and, well, not-at-home. On the other hand, too much colour – and the wrong combination of hues – can be just as garish as a pure neutral palette is underwhelming. If you’re wondering how to add colour to your home in a way that strikes just the right balance, keep reading!
Freshen With Flowers
Adding some plant-life is an excellent way to add colour to a room without painting. A selection of bright daffodils or a more-muted bunch of white tulips will instantly freshen the space – and better yet, if you opt for real flowers over plastic ones, they’ll do double duty as a whole-house fragrance, too.
Understand Your Accent Colours
Choosing an accent colour for a feature wall or a piece of furniture is the obvious solution to a home lacking in colour; many DIYers, however, are daunted by the prospect of dabbling in colour theory and are understandably reluctant to make permanent colour changes on this shaky basis. You don’t necessarily have to abide by the “opposite colours on the wheel” principle – but there are a couple of rules to keep in mind.
First of all, avoid choosing an accent colour that’s the same temperature as your main colour: in other words, if your base colour is a warm cream, balance with a cool light blue. Secondly, consider opting for a good green – many interior designers consider it the easiest accent colour to install. And finally, you don’t just have to stay in the realm of the rainbow when choosing your colours: metallic tones are totally on-trend right now, with golds and silvers the perfect accent colours for grey walls.
Up Your Curb Appeal
When adding touches of colour to the home, people tend to overlook the exterior – but just like any guest who visits, the from-the-street appearance of your home is the first thing you’ll see, so why not inaugurate the bright theme outside? An easy way to do so is by painting your front door a patent hue. Red is always a favourite (and makes a particular statement if your house is white), while pastels add a sought-after, beach-like whimsy.
Think Beyond The Walls
It’s easy to forget that there are six walls to every room, rather than four. Instead of focusing on the vertical sides of every space, turn your attention to the floor and ceiling, prime surfaces for the addition of colour. The colourful painting of ceilings, in particular, is a practice much rejuvenated in recent years, so whether you want to make like Michelangelo and create an elaborate visual scene overhead, or to opt for something more simple (an all-over paint or some ornate panelling, for example), the ceiling’s the limit! You could also consider adding a splash of colour to your walls with some statement blinds or curtains.
Accessorize
It’s amazing what a well-placed accessory or two can do to a room. Whether an interesting selection of pillows, a trendy industrial lamp, a unique vase or a bright throw or scarf, you’ll be surprised at how inexpensive the offerings are if you scour the local antique stores. Don’t forget, too, that even appliances can be colourful accessories – utility need not impact on aesthetic value!
Magic Mirrors
There’s a reason all the grand palaces in Europe have rooms full of wall-to-wall mirrors. Not only are mirrors a feature in their own right (especially if set in an ornate frame), but they also serve to reflect and project the colour of the objects you’ve already arranged in a room – all without filling any more actual space.
Photo Credits
Flowers and Doors – pixabay creative commons
Lanterns – Max Pixel creative commons
Guest Author Bio
Alex Cordier
Alex Cordier is a freelance writer, who has been published across various sites on topics including home, travel, health, and lifestyle. She is most passionate about home design and home living.
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