The colours you use in your home set the mood and tone of a home. What’s also true is that some colours are vibrant and energetic, whereas others are naturally much more soothing and relaxing.
Once you have decided on your home's theme, all you need to do is select the colours best suited to creating the right atmosphere. Remember that pops of bright colour can add an extra dimension even in a home with a sophisticated ambience.
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Flowers
The easiest way to add some colour to your space is to place some bright, colourful flowers in strategic positions. A large bowl or vase of flowers can instantly transform a room, and you can replace them regularly to ring the changes.
Indoor plants are very much in vogue, but make sure they are suited to the lighting conditions and climate in the room. For example, flowering plants usually need more light than non-flowering plants.
Accessories
Switching or adding accessories is an inexpensive way to add colour and instantly change a room's mood. Swop throws and cushions for ones in different patterns or colours from time to time. Keep a few spares on hand to change your room's feel with the seasons or whenever the mood takes you.
Furniture
Repainting or recovering a piece of furniture is another easy way to bring colour into a room, and it's also environmentally friendly. Very few surfaces can't be painted, and a structurally sound vintage couch with a faded cover can look brand new with a colourful slipcover.
Art
Hanging art on your walls will give a room an instant pop of colour, and the paintings will add another dimension. You don't need an extensive or expensive collection. Many online art sites offer affordable prints by artists in a wide range of styles and categories.
Front door
Painting your front door is a way to add colour to your home and will immediately reflect your style. Black or navy create a sophisticated impression, and red or yellow are bold and make a strong statement, whereas purple, pink and blue reflect quirkiness.
Floors
Colour on your floors is a creative way to breathe new life into an entire room. Painted floors are increasing in popularity and are great for covering up the imperfections in older hardwood floors. Painting your floors also costs significantly less than refinishing them to remedy their less than perfect condition. Almost any surface, from hardwood to concrete, can be painted.
Ceilings
Adding colour to your ceiling will add a lively touch. The old maxim that a dark ceiling makes the room feel smaller has long been dispelled. Still, if the room is already on the dark side, a lighter colour such as grey or pale blue will add colour and light.
Kitchen
Kitchen cabinets can be easily repainted, providing a quick and inexpensive way to add colour to this room – and your entire open plan living space. Try painting the exterior and doors in different shades of the same colour or contrasting colours.
Brightly coloured appliances – large and small - add energy and character and have been popular in kitchens in Europe for some time. However, keep in mind that changing the colour of large appliances is not as straightforward or as affordable as repainting a wall or a cabinet.
The tips listed above, if well implemented, will assist you in adding colour for a better look and feel.
Writer : Sarah-Jane Meyer