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How to Ease Your Way into Bold Color
9 Simple Ways to Give Bright Hues a Whirl
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
A lot of Houzz users have hit up the Questions Board wondering how to begin when adding bold color to their homes. There are some ways to ease your way in without making a big commitment. That is to say, if you try it and hate it, you haven't hurt your bank account too much, and it's easy to change! I hope this will also help people like Houzz user foureyes who asked about what renters can do when they are not allowed to paint the walls.
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Add bright curtains. If you wind up wanting to change them, just pull a Scarlett O'Hara and turn them into a gown.
by Joel Snayd
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Switch up your bedding. Bright pillows and a throw blanket is the easiest and least permanent way to give bold color a whirl. The same trick can be applied to the sofa.
by Tara Seawright
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Get your feet wet with a shower curtain. This designer was working with clients who were afraid of bright color but who wanted to try it out. Thus, she kept all of the bones of the house white and added color through furnishings and accessories. See more of this house.
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| Floor pillows. Use colorful cushions or bean bags in a more casual space in the house. |
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by CWB Architects
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| Experiment in a play space. Speaking of more casual spaces, try out a new hue in a child's bedroom or playroom. Your little ones will have strong opinions and brilliant ideas about color you may not have thought of. |
by pierre senechal
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Add some bold artwork. You can try it out in different spots around the house.
This Manhattan apartment brings in bursts of color via paintings like this one. See the rest of this home.
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This painting has inspired a few more impermanent touches that play off its colors, like the throw pillows on the sofas.
by Bjorg Magnea
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All right, one more bold art example and I'll move on. Who could resist this incredible work on the ceiling? This space seems so subdued and elegantly neutral, and then you must look up and think, Hmmm, there's more to this home than initially meets the eye.
Paint one wall. If you hate it, you're only out a couple of hours and a gallon of Killz to cover it up and re-paint.
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Upholster one piece. This lovely blue swivel chair stands out but fits in just fine in this collected space.
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| Once you try one bright color, you'll want to experiment with more. Pick up a roll of Lifesavers and let it inspire you — that's what I imagined happened with this brilliant mix of upholstered Louis dining chairs. |
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Still doubtful or too afraid to try any of the ideas above? Grab a bunch of bright flowers and contemplate color while you admire them at home!
Next: More color for commitment-phobes
Post your design dilemmas on the Questions page.
Next: More color for commitment-phobes
Post your design dilemmas on the Questions page.
Ideabook updated on Feb. 21, 2011.
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I had to post my favorite all time pic of curtains-turned-gown. It's from the Carol Burnett show's skit called "Went with the Wind". Carol's Scarlett says "I saw it in the window and I just had to have it!" Oh, and it was designed by Bob Mackie, who was the costume designer at the time, and went on to design all of those crazy Cher Oscar outfits.