Sarah wrote in with a great question. She said:
“I have been wanting to bring more color into our home for a very long time. I have a lot of neutrals going on, but I’m not sure where to start. I often default to neutrals because it’s easy. What do you recommend for places to start with bringing in more color?”
We totally feel this, Sarah! Often, our sweet clients have the same question, and what they don’t realize is that design is as much a psychological process- the evolution of making your home yours, more than anything. So getting past fear is often the first step. We’re outlining some simple places to begin today, that you won’t tire of, if applied correctly. It doesn’t mean you need to commit to striped ceilings right away. We think the key is doing it slowly, with steps that will definitely get you there over time. Here are some of our favorites.
How to work with color that you won’t tire of: 1. Rugs and pillows are the obvious place to start.
I’d be selling us all short, if I didn’t start here. The best place to begin is practicing with smaller pieces first, that don’t require much commitment. It’s a great way to become accustomed to all things color. So a splash of multiple colors with a rug, and tying them in with pillows is often a great place to begin. We feel like these are safe because not only are they can be easily switched out on a whim, or seasonally. So go bolder with rugs and pillows on a neutral backdrop, and it’s a great way to subtly sprinkle in color that you won’t tire of.
How to work with color that you won’t tire of: 2. Furniture pieces
Once you’re ready to up the ante, a great subtle way is with all things furniture pieces. Tie it in and echo your colors to reinforce your ideas throughout your home with various hues, and bring in a real statement. It can be a softer color so it almost reads as a neutral, like these simple barstools.
{this is the kitchen’s before! – See the whole thing here.}
Or a bolder color like our green armoire. Making your home your own is all about one of a kind finds that create conversation in your home, and also function in wise ways. This is a great opportunity to play with even more color options.
How to work with color that you won’t tire of: 3. Art
I think we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention all things art.
Colorful bold pieces are a great way to switch it up and introduce color in your home. Find something you love, and run with it.
Then echo those colors by reinforcing them with pillows that share the same color way or something similar. Before you know it, you’ve introduced color into your home.
How to work with color that you won’t tire of: 4. Bookshelves + Hall trees + entryway pieces
These are often forgotten elements which bring in color in smart ways. Paint a hall tree a soft hue, and watch it tie in with the rest of your home, seamlessly.
Or take it a step further by layering it in, and collect books in fun colors for a bookshelf in your home.
It’s a great simple way to choose a couple of fun color ways, and let that be your display. You never know what you’ll come up with when it comes to bringing in pieces organically, and it’s a great way to layer it all in.
How to work with color that you won’t tire of: 5. Tile
You can choose soft colors with tile, that, again, almost read as a neutral.
But they’re a great opportunity to bring in color to your spaces. We’ve now lived with a light blue backsplash for five years, and I will never tire of it.
Or this soft subway a-la Jeffrey Court was a great way to liven up this kitchen backsplash in a soft way.
Think through ways you’d like to see it in your home, and bring it in. It’s a great way to bring in personality.
Bonus: Don’t forget the wallpaper.
An automatic glow up to livening up a space. It kind of ties with using a soft color with tile, but we think that’s the next level when you’ve gotten accustomed to living with color. You can’t lose with a great print you absolutely love.
We hope these help get you started, and we can’t wait to see what you do!
Have an inspired day!
Leave a Reply