A sweet reader Allison wrote recently and said:
Perhaps you could do a post on selecting accent colors? I love the way you choose several, as opposed to most decorating sources which only pick one or two, then vary the shades on those to add depth. I love your style because it is so happy and colorful, without looking like a rainbow exploded. Suggestions on where to start??
We actually thought that was a really great question, because it made us think… what is our process? Honestly, it’s so instinctual at this point after doing quite a few spaces and just going with what we love, this could actually be a series of posts. Choosing accent colors is a broad topic. But we thought maybe we would share a little bit of our process to help if you’re in the process of a colorful transformation in your own home.
So today we’re breaking it down, in hopes to help with any of you who may be making a few changes on your own. Here are a few of our very favorite tips and tricks we love to use as guides for changing over a space: How to select accent colors.
1. Start with what you love.
I know… I know. We probably say this too much. But we truly feel that the key to any space, at any stage- whether it’s purging or designing or selecting a paint color- starts with where you feel inspired. If you begin with where you feel inspired, you’re bound to create something you absolutely adore. And stick with it. So start there, and be fearless.
Maybe you love black and don’t know how to incorporate it into a space, or a brazen salmon is your thing. Maybe you need to work in a neutral sofa on a blank slate and aren’t sure what direction to take. There are ways to bring in colors and do them well, without regret or fear.
Okay. A little fear is totally normal. It’s pushing past those self doubting moments that truly matter.
So if you fall in love with a certain chair, a piece of fabric or the emerald green velvet sofa {I’ve been drooling over at Anthro} there are ways to work with your pick, and make it fall elegantly into a space.
Be brave and bring it in. You’ll love your space… and yourself for it.
2. Brush up on your color theory.
If you know a little about color theory, it’s like a good backstory behind the amazing space you’re about to create. Brushing up on the basics are a great way to sharpen your instincts into real knowledge when it comes to choosing a color, and finishing your space with confidence when you know a. why you’re selecting something and b. how to move forward with it.
A space communicates in beautiful ways, wordlessly. And color is a powerful tool for that communication. Sometimes people get a little hung up on doubt when it comes to picking their favorites so it helps to be armed with some know-how and a bit of moxie to carry it through.
While some people prefer neutrals, and some shy away from color all together {that’s amazing and we love a great neutral space} we simply can’t have a space without color. The key is to do it as Allison stated above – in a multi dimensional way without making it “look like a rainbow exploded”. We feel like color can build an entire level of possibilities for a space. It’s just what we love.
Play to their strengths. There are no rules in decor, but there are certain reasons elements work well together. For the same reason that blue and orange are complementary, aqua and coral will come together in a fun way. So brush up on your skills and knowledge on all things color. It just helps the next time you’re doubting yourself or wanting to go a little bolder.
3. Everything you include, matters.
Everything should work together in your space to reinforce your main color scheme. From vases to books to flowers, all of these pieces are like important members of a team as far as carrying color through.
If you need to refinish a piece of furniture to make the color function nicely, don’t hesitate to paint it. If you can shop your home to find something that fits better, go for it. Carefully weigh all the options of what is included in your space. This helps carry the idea through, and bring it to a new level. It’s all in the details.
A. Use art wisely.
Shop Etsy, use the thrift store and hone in on your own DIY skills to tie it all together, because art is an important opportunity to reinforce what you’ve already created in color with the space. It adds another dimension, and provides an outlet to fuse various hues together.
Here we used a bold color on the walls, but tied together the colors in the space with a simple handmade art piece. Echoing it with variations are always a great way to create an interesting color scheme.
B. Fabrics are always a good idea
Fabrics are a great way to take your space to a different level. Rather than going with mainly solids, or depending on {or feeling limited by} what the box stores have to offer, choose a main pattern that has all the colors your love in a fabric choice that you can incorporate into a space. Pair it wisely with contrasting elements, and you have a great intricate color scheme that isn’t overwhelming or too much.
Here, we chose a fun pattern with varying tones to take the color to another level, and then used different shades to highlight it throughout the space. A plantain pillow cover paired with peacock blues and coral brought dimensions of colors to the space, without limiting the variance. We even see hints of red and apple green, but only hints. This keeps it from becoming a little overwhelming, but at the same time, interesting. Bonus: a rainbow has not tossed its cookies.
Have fun, and in the end it comes out in your spaces.
C. Go with the unexpected.
“I wouldn’t have thought to put those together, but I love it” is a line we hear a lot.
The unexpected is a great route to take when it comes to selecting colors used in a space, and home. Use something on the bold side as your main inspiration, and build from there. If you want to polish your “unexpected skills” choose a deep tone you love, and pair it with something on the same depth level. {See our headboard and violet pillow for examples above}. Then reinforce it with a fabric that ties the two together, along with colors like a nice aqua on the walls, a green pillow, and a neutral rug with a bold geometric accent.
The entire space is reinforced with the wall, knobs and art pieces in the space. It ties two colors together, without becoming over the top.
4. Balance is your friend.
If you choose to bring in a lot of different colors into a space, keep it all from becoming too overwhelming by thinking of how each element plays together, and how they read as a whole.
For example, choose a color for your walls that brings in a hint of the color scheme you’re using, but can also read as a neutral. It can work as a great encompassing backdrop to tone it all down. Or bring in a neutral, and really emphasize your colors in all the accents. Think about the intensity of all your hues. If you bring in a color like hot pink and orange, the colors may vibrate, and need something to tone it down so that they work nicely together.
No matter what you choose, it helps to keep the base of the space classic so things can be easily interchanged if you ever tire of a certain color. The idea is to keep it all flexible and you won’t regret any of your choices.
Isn’t mixing it up after a while the fun of it, after all?
5. Contrast
In terms of overwhelming elements, this is one of your most valuable tools to keep it from being too much.
If you choose a cool color, contrast it with a warmer tone. If you go with a bold piece of furniture, choose a great neutral to tone it down. Think in terms of wood tones and metallics that can also read as neutrals that bring a natural element to the space, and tend to tone it down with their contrast. It seems to ground the colors without too much in the ‘overwhelming tones’ department.
Play with the ways they work together, and you won’t regret it.
These are some of our very favorite elements and we hope this helps provide a few guidelines in working with accent colors for the home! We love to follow a few intuitive ideas, but it always helps to have a few concrete terms to follow and let it evolve from there!
What are some of your favorite systems and ways to bring in accent colors? We know we kept it broad here to try to cover all the basics, but we would love to hear some of your very favorites… We’d love to hear your take.
Have an inspired day!
Alexis says
You guys are my favorite source for color inspiration- thanks so much for sharing this!
Jenna says
Oh my goodness thank you so much for breaking this down. It’s such a great practical approach to all the things you do so well! I adore it! Thank you. Saving this one for later
ashley @ the handmade home says
Awe thanks so much, Jenna! So glad you can use this!
Layla K says
I love that you guys always tackle something hard and we learn so much from it- I always feel inspired – thanks!
Coco says
Great tips!
xo
Coco
cococozy.com
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks, Coco!
Allison says
Wow, thank you so, SO much for answering my question! This post is full of such great advice! I had become paralyzed in my decision-making, and have been feeling so limited in my choices, not wanting my house to turn out weird! Thank you for writing in such an inspiring way, reminding me to start with what I love and describing how to balance that out. I’m actually excited again to decorate my blank slate of a home and turn it into something more enjoyable for my family!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Awe so glad to help, Allison! Can’t wait to see! You can do it! It’s so rewarding when you do- go get em, tiger! ;}
Poppy says
Ashely, I wanted to thank you for your blog. I just garnered the courage (thanks to your post about what are you waiting for?), and painted our whole downstairs. I freaked out all day about my color choice–imagined that it would be horrible and I’d have to cry and apologize–the painter called me and he’s like, “It’s okay–i truly think you’ll like it but if you don’t we’ll figure it out…” When I came home and mustered the courage to open the door and look, I almost fainted with happiness. I absolutely love it, can’t stop staring at it, LOVE the color I was afraid of…all good. Thanks to you for helping me realize this is our home now…love it instead of waiting for “the next” one where you’ll do all the cool stuff. 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
Poppy – if it makes you feel any better… any time I paint a room, I have a small panic attack inside. I’m thinking… will this work? Is this happening? Am I going to regret this? And it has always always ALWAYS turned out okay. I think what you’re experiencing is totally normal and it’s all about rising to the occasion and just doing it! It’s all a part of the creative process. Way to go! So proud.