15 Colorful Design Risks Worth Taking
Decorating with color is not for the faint of heart. Even the most confident interior designer can be stumped when it comes to choosing colors for a project. It seems easier to accept a neutral palette, and then to move on to the next decor challenge.
But what if we told you it's really not so hard to decorate with color? It's possible to dip a toe into the world of using dramatic colors without making a big commitment — or a costly mistake.
By following these 15 tips and tricks, you might soon find yourself in a bright, bold new world.
Brighten Up Your Appliances
One easy way to get a pop of color? Try a bright appliance. Smeg refrigerators come in a rainbow of colors, from pastel blue to cream, red, blue, silver, and even bold prints.
Try an Unexpected Combination
Try pairing two hues that at first glance might not go together. Laura Gummerman of A Beautiful Mess combined aqua paint with a neon yellow oversize frame, achieving chic results.
Paint a Small Space
Remember that paint can be temporary. Try out any kind of hue in a specific area of a room. If you don't like the outcome, paint over it!
Accept Bright Accessories
Diversify your color palette with bright accessories, like a cerulean vase and a yellow mirror. Bringing color into a room with small pieces is practically effortless, but yields huge results.
Keep Colors Natural
A good rule of thumb is to experiment with colors that occur in nature. That means blues and greens are easy to play with and help to bring the outdoors inside.
Begin Outside
Since we spend a good portion of each day in certain rooms, like the living room or the kitchen, it can be intimidating to give those spaces a colorful makeover. You'll have to truly live with the results! However, if you start experimenting outside, like with a bright front door, it's a little easier to play.
Dress Up the Floors
If you're unsure about investing in colorful furniture or art, why not put a bright color beneath your feet in the form of a beautiful rug?
Say Yes to Patterns
Striking patterns can be an easy introduction to the use of color in your home. Whether it's a bright rug or poufs, don't be afraid to mix patterns while you're testing colors too.
Get One Bold Piece
If you can't commit to a room full of bright furniture just yet, that's OK. Ease into the world of decorating with color with just one statement piece, and see how it goes.
Match Your Walls and Furniture
Treat walls like an accessory. Forget the rules about painting from floor to ceiling or only choosing hues from an acceptable selection of paint chips. Paint a half-high wall to match the furniture, or just go with your gut — in whatever colorful direction it takes you.
Keep Colors in the Family
Play with shades of the same color family. Take blue, for example, and test different variations on walls, upholstery, and art.
Mix Light and Dark
Simple color combinations can be visually arresting. A mix of light and dark worked wonders in blogger and event planner Jordan Ferney's bedroom. A similar effect can be achieved with navy blue or hunter green.
Say Yes to Wallpaper
Selecting a bold or patterned wallpaper will bring color and pizzazz into any room. Even when paired with the most neutral of furnishings, wallpaper can bring the hint of color every room needs.
Let Pillows Do the Work
Using a variety of bright or printed throw pillows allows an aspiring color pro to figure out what really works. Arrange the pillows in a way that feels natural and fun, and then go with your instinct when it comes to taking the next big, bright step.
Experiment With the Year's Big Color
Try one of the year's most popular hues, Pantone's color of 2015, marsala. Ease into the use of this red-brown hue with a removable piece like a tablecloth. Blogger and style expert Emily Henderson decided to make her own marsala tablecloth to test out the trend in a temporary way.