6 Tips for Decorating With Bold Colors
July 28, 2020Bold colors can be an accent or they can become a focal point. When done well, they help to enhance a room. But, when not done well, they can clash, create a jarring look, or contribute to an atmosphere that just feels off. Here are some tips for decorating with bold colors to help you get the look you want:
1. Stick to Accents if You’re Unsure
If you’re unsure or uncomfortable with bold colors, stick to a more neutral foundation and include bold colors in decor accents instead. Pillows, throw blankets, window treatments, furniture, brightly or boldly painted end tables or stools, etc. are good ways to explore and play with bold colors as accents without committing heavily to them.
If you end up not liking them, you can switch them out to a new color relatively easily. Oftentimes, they can be changed easier than repainting a wall or entire room, so you have a little more freedom to explore, experiment, and play with color in these areas.
You can also stick to smaller rooms as you figure out colors. Hallways, powder rooms, and more are all great places to experiment with bold colors and combinations.
2. Consider the Flow of the Whole House
Bold colors can be a great way to enhance a room and make it stand out. But, you do want to consider the flow of the whole house when decorating with bold colors, especially if you are painting the walls, an accent wall, or the ceiling.
You don’t have to stick to similar colors for all of the rooms in your home. But, you do want to stick to one overall theme to make sure they work together and flow well as you move from room to room.
It’s also important to think about the atmosphere you want to create in a room. Pairing those goals with the psychology of color can help you choose colors to help you create the look and feel you want.
3. Use Different Tones of the Same Color
Using different tones of the same color can add an element of surprise to a room while also adding balance. Lighter tones can be paired with brighter, bolder ones to create an interesting look and add more color without overwhelming the room or creating a heavy atmosphere.
When done well, a room can handle more color than you think. Using different tones can help you push the boundaries of your color scheme a little without going overboard. But, it is easy to go overboard, so you want to keep it balanced.
4. Reconsider What You Think is Neutral
Neutral can be more than a range of beige, cream, gray, etc. Neutrals make a great base or foundation, but there are many colors that can make a great base and add a livelier hue as the foundation for your color palette.
Several colors look great against a blue, green, purple, etc. base. It’s just a matter of starting with the right hue and building the right color palette around it.
5. Bold Doesn’t Have to be Saturated
Bold colors seem to always be included in interior color trends in some form. Although super-saturated hues often come to mind when talking about bold colors, they don’t always have to be rich, saturated tones. Essentially, your colors don’t have to be jolting to make a statement. Toned-down or muted shades can also add a bold look and depth to a room.
If rich, saturated colors are the bold look and feel you want, use them. But, if you’re still exploring, you do have a wider range of shades to play with that can still give you the bold look you want. Depending on the shades you like, you may even be able to pair a more saturated color with a few toned-down shades to create a unique and interesting look.
6. Play With Contrast
Contrast plays a role in several of the popular color combinations for your home exterior, which is why another one of the tips for decorating with bold colors is to play with contrast. You can get an interesting look by sticking to hues of similar colors, but contrast can also help you create a look that stands out.
High-contrast white or black woodwork and furniture can help highlight the colors in the room and is one of the ways to incorporate black into your kitchen design. You can also create an interesting look by contrasting two bold colors in the room. The trick is to find colors that create contrast while still complementing each other and the rest of the room.
These are just a few tips for decorating with bold colors to help you create the atmosphere you want. These tips can also be applied to using bright colors in your kitchen or other areas of your home. Colors are just one small part of your custom home and it can be hard to handle all of the details yourself. By partnering with a custom home builder with an in-house design/build process, you can get the look you want without the stress of trying to manage it all yourself.
If you’re ready to start bringing your dream home to life, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090!