Decorating with Color

Baby Step Tips for Getting Started On Decorating With Color

It can be intimidating trying to get started decorating with color in your home. In its pure form, large amounts of color can be unsettling. It has a lot of energy and can be overwhelming, especially when our senses are already overstimulated from busy schedules, and lots of screen time. But that doesn’t mean your home decor has to be washed out and bland. You just need to know how to use colors together.

If you are unsure of how to read colors or not sure where to start, I suggest checking out my post on The Color Wheel first! Then come back and continue on with the three-pointers below.

Ready? Great!

Pick Favorites

If you are just starting out on your journey into decorating with color, baby steps can be a great way to start. First, start by incorporating your favorite color(s). You already love this color so you should be happy having more of this color in your surroundings. Then you can build up to larger color sources such as art or on your walls. From there you can vary the tones, adding lighter and darker versions of your favorite color. Next, you can add a second favorite color for an accent. Or, if you are daring, you can go with the complementary color of your favorite color! That will create a great contrast between them, make them pop more, and bring excitement to your room. 

Vibrancy

Even if you love vibrant colors, it is sometimes best to delegate it to accent pieces and not paint all of your walls in the brightest hue you can find. This can apply even if your style is an Eclectic Boho Chic vibe. Gauge the size of your room. Larger rooms make it easier to use bold and vibrant colors in large quantities. Small living spaces can feel claustrophobic if you have a bright color on every wall. You can use these rich hues though as a way to bring some excitement to dull bookshelves, bland front doors, a single wall or plain sofas! Are you looking for a big impact? Why not go bold and choose an accent chair and area rug in a bright color or big pattern! Or you can start with toss pillows, you know, baby steps.

Temperature

Another thing to consider is how the color temperature can affect the space. Warm colors (such as reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks) will make a room feel, well, warmer. And vice versa for cool colors (such as blues, greens, and purples). Warm walls appear closer together, creating a cozy feel if you have a large room. If you are looking for more breathing room, try using a cool tone on your walls.

Work It

As I mentioned before, using a tone of your favorite color is going to stand the test of time in your home. And for that reason it is also a fitting choice in wall paint. Not only are grays the new black, but graying a color makes it feel more like a neutral. As a bonus, your decorative items and wall art will pop more against a toned down backdrop, instead of everything blending together in a color storm. Some other ways to include color are with small accent decorations such as pillows or candles or medium pieces like area rugs or art. 

Colorful Conclusion

So there you have it. These are my go-to methods for decorating with color and bringing it into a neutral home. In my own home, I have a color scheme made of neutrals, blues, and greens all throughout, in varying degrees of brightness. I also use artwork for bright and bold colors. It is what works for my family and makes us relaxed and happy in our home. Find what works for your home!

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