Staying home for weeks on end can push to the forefront all those projects you’ve been postponing for a rainy day. Here’s an easy one: take the plunge and add a splash of color to your décor! Whether you choose to paint walls or just change out accessories, striking the right balance can be daunting for novice decorators. We’ve rounded up smart ideas and selected a range of looks from professionals to give you confidence and inspiration no matter the hue.
RED HOT
Red infuses energy into a room, and it’s one of the most rewarding yet difficult shades to work with in the home. Too much of this fiery color can feel heavy-handed, but achieving the proper harmony will add richness and visual interest unlike any other. The best approach is to start small, with upholstery and accent pieces, or try it in a tiny space like a powder room. Planning to paint? Be sure to test it directly on the wall, then check it throughout the day and see what undertones emerge—it’s easy to go too pink or too orange. As a counterpoint, coordinate red with muted tones of blue or gray, and if you use it on walls, consider sticking with neutral furniture.
NATURE’S NEUTRAL
Green is relatively easy to work with as it blends well with most any shade. Think about natural landscapes where flowers spanning every color of the rainbow rest upon green stems and forest foliage soothes the eye. Choose a green with a tinge of blue in it for a relaxing palette that readily mingles with lively tones such as coral and poppy. Yellow-green adds warmth and vitality, perking up any design, but take caution as a dab goes a long way. You can combine any verdant tint with white for a crisp, clean, and timeless effect.
SUNSHINE DAYS
Few people are indifferent to yellow—it’s a shade you either love or don’t. For those who are fans, it lends a cheery air to any space. Lighter hues like butter and corn silk serve well on walls, especially blended with neutrals, golds, browns, and grays. Stronger versions, like school bus yellow, are best used in small doses as they can overwhelm in a hurry. In this dining room (below), a duo of yellow pillows provides just the right punch of stylish flair.
SHINING WHITE
As spa designers know so well, white is queen when it comes to creating an uplifting and soothing ambience. Use architectural details and a variety of textures to keep alabaster décor from becoming too flat or downright boring. A striking piece of furniture, a shaggy rug, or a light fixture with a wow factor can attract as much attention as any jolt of color. The added advantage with such a neutral backdrop? You can introduce just about any tint your mood dictates with a fresh bouquet of flowers or a cozy throw.
BLUE NOTES
Cool and calming, blue is one of the most beloved and versatile shades in a designer’s toolbox, from powdery hues to dramatic midnight tones. It transitions easily between walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture, and it is almost always welcome in accent pieces. Soft versions like robin’s egg and periwinkle make for serene backdrops in bedrooms and baths. Mixing diverse blues can become tricky, so it’s best to find a companion shade that is complementary, such as green, or one on the opposite end of the spectrum, like yellow. Pairing it with pristine white creates a classic look that has graced our pages for decades.
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