I have always loved a colorful home. There is just something cozy about color that brings a welcoming and inviting feeling. Although I love color above neutrals, there are ways to bring in color without painting. Let’s dive in.
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Colors as neutrals
Keep in mind that some colors are considered a neutral in the design world. Certain colors are neutral because when taken from their pure hue toward a darker and more greyed shade, they behave as neutrals. But because life isn’t binarily neat and tidy, there are also colored neutrals and something I think of as a neutral color. As a reminder: Colors are the hues we find on the color wheel AND their tints and shades. Neutrals, on the other hand are those colors not found in the rainbow. Black and white and all the shades of grey in between are achromatic, meaning lacking color. Other popular neutrals are navy, taupe, tan/khaki/beige, camel and brown. One easy way to imagine neutrals is to envision the colors you find when you walk into a traditional menswear store and look at the suiting. Navy is a good example of this. Navy is not a pure color from the color wheel. Yes, blue is on the color wheel, but navy lacks the attributes we think of when we consider blue. When you imagine blue, do you imagine navy? I bet not. When we have a pair of navy pants or a dress it is often said, “Everything goes with navy.” This is because it is a neutral!
Rugs
One of the easiest ways to add color to a room is through a colorful rug. Floors take up a lot of visual space for a room and adding an colorful, oriental, or antique rug can be a great way to add color. Easily changeable as well, rugs can be updated, moved and seasonally rotated on a whim. I love layering contrasting colored rugs or rugs with patterns over a jute or sisal rug for a more dramatic effect.
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Accessories
A simple way to brighten up a neutral is with accents. Choose from solids, patterns or florals for a burst of color you can strategically place around a room with accent pillows or a cozy throw blanket. These additions along with colorful vases or flowers can add depth and really bring a room together.
Also, notice the navy wall as a neutral? The pops of teal and gold in the pillows really adds depth and personality to the room and to the neutral bedding and headboard alongside the nightstand.
Lighting
Bringing in a statement lamp or a pair of lamps can brighten up a seemingly dark room and highlight subtle color hues. Choose from quirky lamps to sleek and modern lamps. Choose lamps that have interesting lampshades, or shapes which could have colors or designs on them.
Add a mirror to a bare wall or choose one with a decorative, artistic frame to reflect light and other color accents—plus it makes your room look larger too. Mirrors help reflect light and color, especially if they are placed opposite a window, or furniture and accessories like a study table, curtains, or even the bed. Colors get reflected through mirrors and add the illusion of more space in the room and make it look more vibrant.
In this area of the living room I added this adorable quirky lamp and a fun mirror to reflect all the light and colors in the room.
Window treatments
Window treatments can give any interior a complete facelift. The best way to brighten up neutral or white walls is by adding colorful curtains or roman shades. Choose from block-colored or printed, depending on the amount of color or color scheme you want to give to your room.
Breathe life into an otherwise dull room by adding layers of curtains – one layer can be a sheer one, the other can be an intense color. Choose from a variety of textiles and fabrics to give your interiors a facelift.
In our breakfast nook I used a bright lemon patterned shade to give the space not only color, but texture and whimsy. The colored matts on the frames are also a great way to add color. They were all white matts that I painted. Here is a how I did it on instagram.
Add life!
If you have followed me for long, you know I love my plants. Plants help brighten up any interior – both the outdoor and the indoor. Interior designers can find some of the brightest and most different colors in plants. Bring mother nature indoors with plants that can easily thrive in low light, artificial light, or require low maintenance. Add bright flowers or plants that serve a purpose. Some plants have specific purposes – from purifying and cleansing the air to providing amazing scents.
Arrange plants as you would decor—in groups of odd numbers—and vary the heights by putting them in plant stands or tall and short containers. I have plants in every room in our home!
Undoubtedly you can add color by going bold with a colorful piece of furniture too, but some are not ready to brave that yet! If you start small by using these tips I promise one day you might jump into buying a bold sofa like I did!
What are some ways you add color to your home? Tell me in the comments.
Vintage blue rug | Colorful swirl rug | Diamond rug | Flower rug | Lemon shades | Ruffle curtains | Floral curtains | Floral lamp | Small solid color lamp | Quirky teal lamp
