The current decor trends in houses tend toward neutral palettes. You might have seen that most houses end up with grey or white walls. It’s easy, quick, and doesn’t require homeowners to make even more decisions.
Unfortunately, people seem to think in extremes when it comes to home decor. It’s not unusual to find homes with entire rooms done in a single color, specifically white. Many think that the only two options are all white spaces or bright and colorful rooms that look chaotic.
But you don’t have to stick to beige, white, and grey for your home. You can always add subtle and classy accents of color to any white or neutral-colored room. Here are a few ways to liven up a room without going overboard with color:
Accent walls
The easiest way to add a pop of color is to paint one wall in the room. Accent walls in bright shades are quick and easy to DIY. You don’t even need a lot of paint if the wall isn’t very big. Deep purples, navy blue, and forest green are popular colors for accent walls.
Another option to highlight one wall is to use brightly colored Moroccan tiles. Depending on the color and size of the tiles, you can create geometric patterns or cover the entire wall.
Appliances
A growing trend in home design is using colorful appliances. After years of stainless steel or even white appliances, it’s the perfect way to add color to your kitchen. If your oven or microwave is due for a replacement anyway, try checking out fun colors like candy red, soft aqua, or bright yellow. Many companies now offer color-coordinated appliances for modern kitchens.
Accessories
If painting sounds difficult and replacing an appliance isn’t on the cards, try using colorful accessories. This is a nifty trick for bathrooms where your options for decorating may be limited. Pick out towel bars, faucets, and even showerheads in matching colors for a subtle addition.
Colorful fabric
A quick and inexpensive way to bring color is by using the textiles within a room. From area rugs to upholstery, there are many opportunities to use colorful fabric. The best part is that you can switch out the curtains or throws with the season or according to your mood. Using natural textiles like linen or cotton can also make a room feel lived-in.
Use flowers and plants
Is there a room that wouldn’t benefit from a bit of greenery? Add one pot or a group to freshen up any space. Your options aren’t limited to just potted plants. You can also hang a few plants from the ceiling, add flowers in a vase or two, or even use artificial flowers in creative ways. Break up a bouquet of artificial flowers and arrange them on a white wall in patterns or shapes. It’s a quick way to add some color without damaging the walls or furniture.
Statement pieces
Another alternative way to bring in color is to focus on a statement piece. Whether it’s a famous work of art or simply a colorful photograph form your vacation, shine a spotlight on 1 piece. A bright blue chair in an all-white bedroom or living room can be quite eye-catching.
One or two accent colors
Unsure about how much color is enough? Keep in mind the simple decor rule of 60-30-10. The dominant color of a room should be 60%. The 30% accent color adds visual interest and the final 10% adds some sparkle.
Consider your living room for instance. If the walls are a neutral white or grey, add color with upholstery for the 30% visual interest. Finally, a statement piece in a bright color can be the remaining 10%.
For a subtle look, limit your accent colors to one or two at the most. Even pastel shades can be overwhelming if you add too many to the room.
Statement lighting
Instead of a statement piece of art try using a statement light instead. Oversized pendant lights, chandeliers, and colorful lamps in the accent color of the room often work wonders. As a bonus, statement lights in the dining or living room can also spark interesting conversations with guests especially if yours has a story around it.
Mirrors with bright frames
Sometimes you are left with a blank piece of the wall after decorating a room. It may the wrong spot for artwork or there may not be enough light to hang anything. So how do you fill it up? It may just be the ideal spot for a large mirror.
Go for mirrors with bright and colorful frames as a way to add color. This idea works well for corridors, foyers, and other narrow spaces which usually have very little light. A mirror will also reflect the existing shades in the room, so you have a way of adding color without doing anything.
