4 Ways to Bring Color Blocking Home
This color trend is all the rage in the fashion world. See how to use it to create a stylish feature in your interiors
It’s no secret that clothing trends often work their way into interior design trends. For example, metallics and pastels that are currently popping up everywhere in interiors were popular on the runway a couple of years back. One of the current fashion looks I’m rooting for to show up in and on homes is color blocking. Below are some reasons why, plus tips for how to make it work.
When used on a home’s walls, it’s similar to creating an accent wall, but instead of painting an entire wall or multiple walls in one bold hue, color is applied in smaller slabs. Often several colors are applied. The pattern is blocky, hence the name.
If you love color and like this look, check out the following examples and tips for how to incorporate color blocking into your own home.
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If you love color and like this look, check out the following examples and tips for how to incorporate color blocking into your own home.
Shop for paint tools
1. Horizontal Blocks
Looking to visually expand a tight space? A horizontal block of color can help widen a narrow room. It can also make a room with a high ceiling feel more cozy and intimate.
Here it adds the perfect dash of pretty color to this bathroom, giving the space a fresh and modern vibe.
Looking to visually expand a tight space? A horizontal block of color can help widen a narrow room. It can also make a room with a high ceiling feel more cozy and intimate.
Here it adds the perfect dash of pretty color to this bathroom, giving the space a fresh and modern vibe.
This small section of hallway has gotten the horizontal color-blocking treatment in a bold magenta. This is an excellent way to dress up an area of the home that is often overlooked. You can really go for any color you like here, especially if you keep the bulk of the colors light and neutral, as has been done in this example.
2. Vertical Blocks
Vertical stripes draw the eye upward, so if your ceilings are on the low side and you wish to visually raise them, vertical blocks of color can do the trick.
Several skinny vertical stripes on a wall can look too busy; a single wide stripe or block of color such as shown here does the job of raising the roof in a subtle way.
Vertical stripes draw the eye upward, so if your ceilings are on the low side and you wish to visually raise them, vertical blocks of color can do the trick.
Several skinny vertical stripes on a wall can look too busy; a single wide stripe or block of color such as shown here does the job of raising the roof in a subtle way.
Vertical blocks of color can also be employed to serve as anchors for artwork or other decorative elements.
Just be sure the accent color actually accentuates the artwork. The easiest way to do this is to pick up on a color used in the artwork. Make sure it’s not the artwork’s background color though, because then the work of art would get visually lost on the wall.
You could also use a tint or shade of a color that’s different from those in the artwork; that way the wall accent color will relate to the artwork but not overshadow it.
Just be sure the accent color actually accentuates the artwork. The easiest way to do this is to pick up on a color used in the artwork. Make sure it’s not the artwork’s background color though, because then the work of art would get visually lost on the wall.
You could also use a tint or shade of a color that’s different from those in the artwork; that way the wall accent color will relate to the artwork but not overshadow it.
Of course you can also combine vertical and horizontal blocks of color. And if you color-block with two different vibrant hues, you will end up with a unique and lively focal point. There’s no need to add much more to the room to decorate it, which is great if your space is small or you prefer not having too much stuff around the house.
3. Accent Elements
Use a dramatic block or blocks of color to call attention to elements or features in your home that you want to stand out.
Use a dramatic block or blocks of color to call attention to elements or features in your home that you want to stand out.
Or use it to break up a large expanse of white or another neutral hue. This has actually become a popular trend in kitchens. As some folks tire of all-white kitchens, I’m seeing more and more creative uses of blocks of colors on kitchen cabinets. You can limit the color to the base or upper cabinets, or apply it to a handful of each.
The blue cube is such a nice touch in this otherwise light and neutral room. I’m not sure what’s in there, but if I was in the space, I’d want to go check it out. It is the focal point due to the block of bold color it brings to the space.
Color blocking is a great technique if you want to inject a superbright or bold color into a room but don’t want to overwhelm the eye with too much of it.
An entire room in a color such as bold yellow would be way too intense, but a more manageable block of it as an accent, surrounded by other blocks of softer and more neutral colors, looks fantastic.
An entire room in a color such as bold yellow would be way too intense, but a more manageable block of it as an accent, surrounded by other blocks of softer and more neutral colors, looks fantastic.
4. Exterior Accent
Color blocking need not be limited to indoor use. Take a cue from your home’s architecture for ideas on where you can apply swaths of a beautiful hue.
Color blocking need not be limited to indoor use. Take a cue from your home’s architecture for ideas on where you can apply swaths of a beautiful hue.
A block of shocking pink adds a dynamic boost to this home’s backyard patio. The homeowner wanted a punchy contrast to the dark warm gray siding color, and she got it.
The color really glows in the morning and evening light, and the pink also contrasts nicely with the leafy green landscape, making the trees really stand out.
The color really glows in the morning and evening light, and the pink also contrasts nicely with the leafy green landscape, making the trees really stand out.
Color blocking can also be used on a more traditional-style home. Two-tone blocks of color are a great way to play up different types of siding. They can also be used to visually break up a large home. Typically you want to place the darker hue lower to the ground and go lighter on top. This grounds the home on the land and keeps it from looking top-heavy.
Your turn: How have you used color blocking in or on your home? Please share in the Comments below.
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Your turn: How have you used color blocking in or on your home? Please share in the Comments below.
More on Houzz
Myth-Buster: The Right Way to Test Paint Colors
5 Exterior Palette Options for 1 Modest Bungalow
Find a general contractor
Shop for products
Find a painter in your area