5 WAYS TO MAKE AN IMPACT WITH COLOR
Spring is just around the corner and with it all the joyful, colorful accents Mother Nature has to offer. You can do the same in your home. One of the best ways to lift the mood of any space is by using color. Color can add cheerfulness, a sense of calm, it can create energy, or it can be used for a touch of drama.
The first thing to consider is what color inspires you. Do you want to use a lot of it or just a little? Warm colors (red, orange, yellow) are energizing and cool colors (blues, greens and purples) are soothing. At Manlove and Company Interiors, we love using blues and greens to evoke a sense of calm. We find more energetic colors like red and yellow are best used as accents, rather than a main color. Red rooms may look fabulous on the cover of Elle Decor but they’re probably tough to live in!
Read on for 5 impactful ways you can use color to make an exciting change within your space.
1.) FLOORS ARE YOUR FOUNDATION
When designing a space, we start with the carpets. They instantly add color, texture and a foundation to any space. This handsome office below from our SMARTLY TAILORED ROWHOUSE project gets a stylish pop from this beautiful blue Moroccan patterned rug. Our recommendation is to have a pattern and a mix of shades on the floor so the carpet is not a solid color - which can get a bit boring. Plus, a variation in shade makes it harder to see dirt and pet hair.
2.) TAKE A PEEK AT YOUR WINDOWS
Decorative window treatments are a great way to experiment with accents of color in your home. For our DESTINATION BUNGALOW project below we knew our clients were comfortable with color so we chose this light teal fabric to dress the windows for their Primary Bedroom. We couldn’t resist painting the ceiling a similar hue. The room is grounded with neutral walls and carpeting so the space remains calm and restful.
3.) HAVE A SEAT ON A COLORFUL PIECE
This mostly neutral library in our TIMELESS MODERN BEAUTY project gets a dramatic burst of color from these red orange swivel chairs. Our clients had several pieces of bright artwork so these bold chairs helped tie everything together. This sophisticated yet cozy family library is perfect for a glass of wine with friends, an evening TV watching with the kids, or just snuggling up with a good book.
4.) TURN YOUR WALLS UP A NOTCH
Painting or wallpapering your walls, or adding an accent wall or ceiling, is an easy way to inject color into your rooms. This can make a big, or small impact on a room depending on your selection and the intensity of the color. Our clients for our REHOBOTH BEACH GETAWAY project loved blue and wanted a different shade of it for every room. We wallpapered the below den in a deep teal blue grass cloth, which evokes the ocean and the sky on a beautiful summer’s day. We often pair blue with yellow or orange accents (pillows, throws, accessories) to create some interesting contrast. This room is a perfect refuge all year round.
5.) GET CREATIVE WITH ARTWORK
Artwork is a flexible and possibly the most personal way to add color to any space. In our ART COLLECTOR’S ESCAPE project we went bold with an oversized painting from our clients’ collection. We intentionally kept the rest of the room light and neutral, so their art would be the star of the show.
It’s the time to shake off the dull palette of winter with fresh, uplifting bursts of color. Surround yourself with colors you love for fresh, inspired living spaces. Start off small with a few lively accents or go for a big dramatic change. You’ll love the results.
If all this creative chat has you dreaming of impactful changes to your home, let’s talk! Fill out our Design Survey and we’ll schedule your free Introductory Call.