How to give your home a colourful makeover
From bold zoning to an all-over hues, there's a spectrum of ways to give your home a colourful makeover. Here are our top tips...
1. Perk up pale walls with bold accents
Soft, powdery pink, dusky neutrals and a mix of wood and white accents set the tone for a calming and sophisticated dining space – and for just the right amount of 'wow', add an electrifying shot of cobalt blue. Introducing vibrant hits of colour like this will demarcate an area and prevent it from merging into an open-plan layout. You can easily achieve this by choosing furniture and accessories in the same standout shade.
2. Play with shades & shapes
If you want to dial up the drama then abandon single-coloured walls, instead painting in colourful curves and blocks. This can be useful to create different zones in a room, such as a cosy corner snug, or a home office station. Strike the right balance between statement and safe by using accents of colours you love to pop against more neutral tones. Vibrant accessories offer the perfect opportunity to weave a dose of added colour into your scheme and create overall cohesion.
3. Add drama with black
Dark colours are hard to beat when it comes to creating an intimate space. Depending on the mood you want to set, you could consider a jet black or daring charcoal on the walls and woodwork to add instant interest. Be sure to lift a moody space with blonde wood furniture or flooring: this natural material will prevent dark colours from hogging the spotlight. Bring depth by using textured finishes such as limewash, stained wood or chalky paint.
4. Embrace modern mono
Move over grey – black and white are back, this time teamed blonde woods and mid-century furniture for an elegant look. A fail-safe way to work with monochrome is to start with white for the walls and larger pieces of furniture, then introduce black accents in the form of cushions, artwork and accessories. Layer in plenty of textures – linen fabrics, jute rugs and touches of wood will bring natural softness – and inject life with a houseplant or vase of flowers.
5. Inject warmth with terracotta
Channel natural materials, rustic textures and a palette of toasty shades inspired by the sunsets and sunrises in the Mediterranean. The earthiness of terracotta gives much-needed warmth in spacious rooms with high ceilings or tall windows. Use it wall to wall and on the woodwork, from skirting to architrave, or opt for terracotta floor tiles and plant pots to warm up a cold colour scheme. For an extra layer of sophistication, pair it with wood furniture and accessories in the same brownish tones.
6. Team red with more red
Forget any preconceptions: this rosy, primary hue can be versatile and cosy – and is bang on trend. When it comes to making an impact, the key is to mix reds in all manner of glorious temperatures and tones. Layer the look with furniture, drapes and accessories to add depth and playfulness. A backdrop of contemporary white walls will create balance, while decadent textiles, such as velvet and silk, lend themselves perfectly to these show-stopping shades.
7. Get calm with all-over blue
Associated with relaxation and tranquillity, blue is one of the most versatile and easy-to-use colours. With shades ranging from rich navy to comforting duck egg, there’s one for every type of scheme. The softest palest blue acts like a neutral – pair with wooden flooring and natural accessories for a balanced look. Using one colour on the walls, woodwork and furniture will create a calm, enveloping sensation and make a room feel larger.
8. Ground a scheme with green
Just as the weather can affect our mood, so too can the colours we use to decorate our surroundings. Soft greens and chalky shades are restful choices that are ideal for the bedroom and living areas. These lighter hues work especially well on upholstery and walls. Contrast their coolness with warm wood floors, a large jute rug and creamy whites. If you want to get on board with the full pastel package, a springtime favourite, then team mint green with accessories in sugary shades such as lemon and powder pink. Bringing in touches of nature, such as dried grasses, can help to create a connection to the world outdoors.
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