Colour Me Bold: 11 Ways to Energise Your Home
Don't be afraid of colour. Find out ways to boldly embrace it and bring it to your interiors
Colours are such an integral part of our culture. Our festivities, our food, our clothes, our streets, everything reflects our penchant for vivid and bold shades and tones. But when it comes to our spaces, we seem to somehow shy away from bringing strong tones into our homes. Whatever may be the reason, it’s time to change – here are tips on how to go all the way, and introduce those eclectic hues you love, to your home. Colours won’t just make your home look good, they can also bring in a fresh, positive vibe to the space.
2. Be bold with walls
A burst of bright colour on the walls can make the space look exuberant. Choose a colour that you can live with and one which will complement your furniture. Consider using oranges and deep yellows – these are unusual colours for Indian walls but they can team up nicely with the wooden furniture most of us have in our homes.
Tip: A single wall could be brought into focus by giving it an accent colour, keep the rest of decor in sharp contrast to it to create a dramatic effect.
A burst of bright colour on the walls can make the space look exuberant. Choose a colour that you can live with and one which will complement your furniture. Consider using oranges and deep yellows – these are unusual colours for Indian walls but they can team up nicely with the wooden furniture most of us have in our homes.
Tip: A single wall could be brought into focus by giving it an accent colour, keep the rest of decor in sharp contrast to it to create a dramatic effect.
3. Roll the multi-coloured out
Carpets are a great way to infuse colour and bring an element of playfulness into a neutral space. Look for patterns that would balance well with the rest of your room. For example, as seen in this image, bring in patterns that flow horizontally in a space that may be challenged width-wise, to increase the illusion of space. Or don’t go for a very busy, multi-pattern carpet in a room that is already full with accessories or clutter.
How to Choose the Right Carpet for Your Home
Carpets are a great way to infuse colour and bring an element of playfulness into a neutral space. Look for patterns that would balance well with the rest of your room. For example, as seen in this image, bring in patterns that flow horizontally in a space that may be challenged width-wise, to increase the illusion of space. Or don’t go for a very busy, multi-pattern carpet in a room that is already full with accessories or clutter.
How to Choose the Right Carpet for Your Home
4. Use wallpaper as an accent
A wallpapered accent wall can be very effective in adding serious zing to a space. There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing the colour, patterns, ethnic motifs and other textured effects. These can work wonders when your interiors have a neutral palette.
10 Ways to Create an Unforgettable Accent Wall
A wallpapered accent wall can be very effective in adding serious zing to a space. There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing the colour, patterns, ethnic motifs and other textured effects. These can work wonders when your interiors have a neutral palette.
10 Ways to Create an Unforgettable Accent Wall
5. Paint the furniture
The side desk is looking forlorn and worn down? The cupboards are sturdy but look as if they have seen better days? Well, bring out the colours and paint away. Choose colours that contrast with the rest of the decor scheme in that space for maximum effect. This will not only perk up the spot but will also bring in that kitsch look.
The side desk is looking forlorn and worn down? The cupboards are sturdy but look as if they have seen better days? Well, bring out the colours and paint away. Choose colours that contrast with the rest of the decor scheme in that space for maximum effect. This will not only perk up the spot but will also bring in that kitsch look.
6. Wall art
A single painting in bright hues can bring in all the colour you need into your drawing room. Like in this space, the muted greys and browns are a perfect backdrop for the multi-coloured painting that not only acts like the accent feature of the room but also makes good use of the tall ceiling height.
A single painting in bright hues can bring in all the colour you need into your drawing room. Like in this space, the muted greys and browns are a perfect backdrop for the multi-coloured painting that not only acts like the accent feature of the room but also makes good use of the tall ceiling height.
7. On the ceiling
Colour on the ceiling could add a new dimension to an otherwise subdued space. Consider installing faux ceilings or perhaps wallpaper in that area. In this all-white room, the rich-lined ceiling becomes the showstopper element.
Colour on the ceiling could add a new dimension to an otherwise subdued space. Consider installing faux ceilings or perhaps wallpaper in that area. In this all-white room, the rich-lined ceiling becomes the showstopper element.
8. Colour through lights
Who says lampshades have to only be in neutral shades like cream and light browns? Look for a signature piece that will make your space stand out from the rest. Opt for colourful pendants and statement chandeliers.
Who says lampshades have to only be in neutral shades like cream and light browns? Look for a signature piece that will make your space stand out from the rest. Opt for colourful pendants and statement chandeliers.
9. In the kitchen
Consider using coloured and patterned tiles for your kitchen walls or floors. It is a sure shot way to add life to a space that tends to get quite dreary with the daily grind. But do select your designs carefully – don’t we all want this area to look clean and fresh even after a messy dinner?
If your kitchen is prone to chaos and gathering clutter, then go for a block colour for the tiles. If is an expansive space with enough storage, then experiment with multi-hued tiles and patterns.
Consider using coloured and patterned tiles for your kitchen walls or floors. It is a sure shot way to add life to a space that tends to get quite dreary with the daily grind. But do select your designs carefully – don’t we all want this area to look clean and fresh even after a messy dinner?
If your kitchen is prone to chaos and gathering clutter, then go for a block colour for the tiles. If is an expansive space with enough storage, then experiment with multi-hued tiles and patterns.
10. Highlighters in the bathroom
You can go bold and bright with the bathroom tiles as well. Colours can demarcate different spaces like the dry and wet area. Tiles like these shown in the image can also work well as a back panel for the mirror or as a counter top. Here, accent tiles on the wall that are carried onto the full floor length transform, what could have been, a simple white bathroom into an extraordinary space.
You can go bold and bright with the bathroom tiles as well. Colours can demarcate different spaces like the dry and wet area. Tiles like these shown in the image can also work well as a back panel for the mirror or as a counter top. Here, accent tiles on the wall that are carried onto the full floor length transform, what could have been, a simple white bathroom into an extraordinary space.
11. To your outdoors
We sometime tend to neglect our outdoor spaces or at least don’t give them the attention we usually give to our interiors. Be it the entrance to the house or the small balcony or the garden area – we often only do the basic minimum. This wall by the entrance, which no one would have given a second look to, gets a surprising facelift with the blue bright pots. How can anyone miss this now? You could also add more vibrancy to your outdoor spaces by bringing in bold coloured accessories or furniture pieces.
See an Indian home that uses colour in the most fantastic of ways
Read more:
Houzz Tour: Powder-Puff Colours Make This a Dreamlike Home
How to Use Colour in Your Living Room
Tell us:
What have been your greatest challenges while adding colours to your interiors? Write in Comments below.
We sometime tend to neglect our outdoor spaces or at least don’t give them the attention we usually give to our interiors. Be it the entrance to the house or the small balcony or the garden area – we often only do the basic minimum. This wall by the entrance, which no one would have given a second look to, gets a surprising facelift with the blue bright pots. How can anyone miss this now? You could also add more vibrancy to your outdoor spaces by bringing in bold coloured accessories or furniture pieces.
See an Indian home that uses colour in the most fantastic of ways
Read more:
Houzz Tour: Powder-Puff Colours Make This a Dreamlike Home
How to Use Colour in Your Living Room
Tell us:
What have been your greatest challenges while adding colours to your interiors? Write in Comments below.
Sponsored
Don’t be afraid to go for brightly coloured upholstery. Adding patterned and contrasting cushions can also add colour, layers and texture to the living space. Whenever you get bored with the look – all you have to do is change the cushions! In this living room, the green and the pink of the sofas work well with the floral patterns on the third seat, and complements the faux ceiling’s colours too.