Decorating with Bright Colors
When decorating with bright colors, the first thing you need to do is decide what neutral you want to pair with your color. By choosing your neutral, you'll be able to keep those brights in check without getting out of control. Consider what you want the focal point of the room to be and design the rest of the room around it. What kind of impact do you want to make? If it's bold walls, then keep the furniture neutral. And don't forget to always test out your bright paint swatches before you commit to a certain shade. They will almost always look different on the wall than they do on the swatch.
Pair bright accessories with some seriously chic neutrals. Gray walls, trim, and flooring provides a sophisticated backdrop for a show stopper rug in a bold graphic style. The coordinating orchids and purple pillows repeat the color found in the rug to make the room feel totally pulled together and intentional.
An all-white room is the perfect neutral foundation to make brightly-hued colors pop. Consider all the different textures and finishes of white to keep the room from falling flat. Add one or two colors at a time to make the overall look cohesive.
With bright colors, consider what your focal point is going to be to keep the room from becoming an eyesore. Allow your eye to rest by limiting your palette to two or three colors plus a neutral. The green sofa is a delightfully unexpected pop of color, but it stays grounded with the pale walls and otherwise neutral furniture.
Bright turquoise provides an unexpected and happy pop of color painted in a built-in shelf. This look is all about high contrast and allows the items on display to really shine. Consider what other elements you can use in your vignette that will provide contrast, visual interest, and color harmony.
Pops of bright color can be the perfect unexpected surprise and add a whole lot of personality. This chartreuse pocket door completely changes the tone of an otherwise monochromatic kitchen with industrial undertones. It's a cheerful, happy little detail that makes all the difference.
About Rachel
Designer and blogger Rachel Shingleton has never met a color she didn't love. A self-proclaimed color enthusiast, she's on a personal mission to banish the beige and help people understand how to make a serious style statement. Visit her blog, Pencil Shavings Studio.
