5 Ways to use colour in your home

You might want to grab the paintbrushes and go bold and bright, or maybe you prefer something softer and more tranquil, even if you don't fancy picking up a paint brush at all, here are 5 ways you can introduce colour into your interior design to bring some fun and life into you home.

1. Paint bold

Don't be afraid of colour - if you are thinking of painting a room why not just go for it and go bold! If you have large rooms then you can probably get away with bright primary colours or darker shades. With smaller spaces you might just want to paint one wall your chosen colour to stop the room feeling smaller than it is. Make sure you test your colours on the wall to make sure you are happy with them, as they will change colour once dry and in different lights.

In the Mood for Colour

2. Paint pastel

If you don't have the large rooms for in-your-face colours, or you prefer a quieter tone, then try choosing pastel colours to create tranquil and peaceful rooms. Remember, pastel doesn't have to mean pink and pretty. You could opt for a sky blue, or mint green and even brighter colours like yellow and orange will provide a less intense finish when in pastel shades.

In the Mood for Colour

3. Don't paint at all

You don't need to paint at all to bring colour into your home. Keeping wall neutral and then adding splashes of colour using furniture and accessories is an easy way to make a room seem colourful and keep it feeling open and bright. You could choose one colour to create a theme or go completely contrasting. Colouful pictures, cushions, bed covers and kitchen items are great way to add colour into your home without the decorating or commitment. It's easy to change whenever you fancy, making it a great idea for kids rooms as you can update to match their style without too much effort or cost.

In the Mood for Colour

4. Be inspired by nature

If you're not sure about bright colours, one way to keep it natural is to take inspiration from outside. You could choose to paint a whole wall with colours that you have found naturally (paint can be mixed so easily nowadays you will almost certainly be able to request the exact colour you're after) or you could bring plants and flowers inside to act as a splash of colour against a white or neutral room.

 In the Mood for Colour

5. Go for contrast

You don't have to stick to one colour, or even a palette of colours when decorating. If you want lots of colour in your home then don't be afraid to go for contrast. Take a look at a colour wheel - colours opposite each other are contrasting colours. Then, once you've chosen your pair, choose one colour to be your primary colour, which will be the main colour of the room. The second colour you can add in as an accent colour. This balance will make sure that the bold colours don't overwhelm the room and make it look too bright and garish.

In the Mood for Colour

For more inspiration for using colour in your home, check out In the Mood for Colour by Hans Blomquist.