While monochromatic styles often dominate new home designs, the greyscale approach can leave your home feeling monotonous or lacking character. We break down how to introduce colour into your home to brighten your living spaces– no bravery necessary.
Colour is often more than a decorative choice – it’s a tool that can transform the ambiance and energy of your space.
This is why even the most restrained, streamlined and elegant designs use bursts of colour to bring a home to life.
Yet for many looking to build a new home, colour can be intimidating, so we sought advice from interior design expert Patrizia Romeo on how to introduce colour, minus any fear or anxiety.
Think beyond paint
Most people immediately think about paint when incorporating colour, which can feel intimidating. But there are other ways to brighten up your home, such as through the use of decor and soft furnishings.
One example is plants, which can soften the hard edge of a monochrome palette. Alternatively, you could use colourful accent pillows, a bright rug or a statement art piece.
“In such cases, keep the walls light and fresh, and introduce colour through artwork, a hallway runner, or decorative potted plants,” said Romeo.
Tiles are one creative way to add lasting colour to a space without using paint. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
A more permanent alternative option is tiling, Romeo added.
“It’s a nice surprise when you walk into a powder room which has walls adorned with gorgeous tiles, luxurious tapware and a decorative mirror,” Romeo said. “It’s a little bit of luxury you can enjoy in private.”
Make a bold entrance
The entrance of your home is the perfect place to introduce colour.
“It’s the first space that your guests will step into and where you conjugate,” Said Romeo.
“Add a feature paint colour to the front door as a conversation starter, artwork to the entry wall, a large mirror, a bench seat or a console and make it feel welcoming.”
Get creative in the kitchen
The kitchen is a hub of activity and creativity, which provides an excellent canvas for experimenting with bold tones.
The kitchen is an opportunity to be bold with colour through cabinetry, the island bench or even splashback. Picture: Getty Images
“Why not add a decorative colour to the cabinets, or just make the island bench a coloured feature?,” Romeo said.
“Or, if you’re wanting to keep the kitchen cabinets timeless, a decorative feature tile to the splashback can add colour to the space.”
Choose the right tone and think about light
If you’re drawn to a particular colour, don’t shy away from including it in your home just because it’s unconventional.
“Be bold – that’s what will make your home stand out and feel uniquely yours,” Romeo said.
It’s also important to note how long you’ve loved a colour: if it’s been an enduring love, it’s less of a risk as opposed to jumping on a colour trend.
However, there are certain tones within a colour family that will have more timeless appeal than others.
Choosing the muted or grey undertone version of a colour often is a more timeless choice, like a sage green versus a bright, emerald green. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Choosing the muted or greyer undertone version of the colour you like often creates a more sophisticated feel and won’t be polarising or ‘risky’. Think sage green versus primary, emerald green, or a deep, inky blue versus royal blue.
However, the undertones will also be impacted by the amount of light in a space. If you have an abundance of natural light, cooler undertones are a great choice. But if you’re lacking light, you may go for warmer undertones to lift the room.
The best way to work out which tone of colour to go with is to nix smaller paint swatches in favour of painting larger format pieces of cardboard, and leaving the options up for a week or two. This will help to see what colours work in your space, how the light changes their tones and how you react each time you see them. One should emerge as a clear choice.