Want to liven up a dull room with color but not sure where to start? Use these helpful tips to learn how to choose and use color to add interest to any room.
This post is Part 2 in a series of 3 blog posts. Please check out the first blog in this series 10 Best Tips for Choosing and Using Color in Your Home for more ways to find and use color.
#11. Rule of Three
Follow the rule of three: When you pick a color, use it at least three times in a room.
Here, yellow appears in the pillows, on the blanket on the bed, and as an accent color on the nightstand, as well as on the walls.
#12. Keep Hallways Neutral
Think of hallways as palate cleansers — the sorbet that’s served before diving into the next course. Keeping them neutral allows you to branch into any color in rooms that flow off them.
#13. Make Accents Pop
As a building block for a color palette, look closely at art and fabric. Pull out the background colors for room accents.
#14. Furniture Various
Break up a room of matchy-matchy wood furniture with one painted piece. It doesn’t have to be a bold color. Combine natural wood tones with black.
#15. Mix Textures
Use various shades of a single color to pull a room together. Add different textures such as suede and silk to prevent monotony.
#16. Warm Up White
White brightens whatever it’s with, but it can also be harsh. Try off-white instead. When you put a warm white next to a color, it will still look bright and crisp.
#17. Freshen Up
Fresh flowers are a perfect way to add color to any room without a long-term commitment. They also help celebrate the season.
#18. Accessorize with Color
Everyone thinks of walls when they think of color.
But using color in accessories–art, pillows, rugs–makes an amazing impression without going crazy on the walls.
The giclee print on the right uses soft pinks in flowered fields that match the more robust pink in the couch. It also brings balance to the setting by adding blues and complementary greens.
The print is titled, “Mt Rainier National Park” and is available for purchase in my Giclee Print Gallery. Click here to view a larger image and purchase.
#19. Include a Neutral Color
Neutral colors act as peacemakers — they help bold colors and patterns get along.
#20. Light a Room with Style
Add a colored or patterned shade to a lamp to liven up a room. It’s a quick change that makes a big impact.
Excellent suggestions
Thanks Don. Good to hear from you again.
Great blog, Gary!
Thanks Barbara.
When I was in grade school, I went through a faze where I sketched horses during recess and after school. I had a fascination with horses. In college, I shied away from art as a major and became an Elementary School teacher for 20 years. Now, as a mother of four, I am a fine art portrait photographer specializing in capturing the bond between horses and their people. I do feel lucky to be an artist! I enjoyed your blog.. Thank you