Life, Styled
Home is a reflection of you, and one of the best ways to do that is through color. Color is more than a collection of tints and shades; it has more impact on our mood than anything else and can influence the look of our home more than we realize. Color psychology has been studied for decades, with recent findings revealing just how powerful color truly is in the home. Size and style can change by simply selecting different colors for your furniture, accent pieces, or wall color. As color plays such a vital role in the atmosphere and presentation of the home, it can feel a little overwhelming or even intimidating to make color choices. We have compiled a list of 15 simple ways you can add color to your home.
Accent Pieces
Sometimes a little splash of color is all it takes to brighten up a room. Accent pieces are also a great tool for layering in a room as they provide depth and interest. Some ideas for accent pieces are:
- Vases
- Pillows
- Pottery
- Decorative colored glass
- Wood lettering
- Family heirlooms
Accent pieces allow you to add a touch of your own style to the space, whether that is your bedroom, living room, or home office. You can shop at local businesses, such as antique stores, to find unique items. Greenbrook Design is also a dealer for shops such as ETU Home and Moe’s. Both companies offer specialty pieces that will reflect your personal style in the home.
Furniture Pieces
Furniture is a critical piece of the design, as it serves not only as a functional element but also as an aesthetically pleasing one. We select furniture based on its practicality, durability, and character. Color is also a significant factor in the decision-making process, as it can make a lovely statement in a room. A beautiful green couch, a soft gray side table, or a blue bookcase adds color in an elegant way to any space while serving a purpose. When choosing your furniture, it is best to limit it to one to two colors so it presents a cohesive and unified design style.
Wall Art
Art is one of the oldest forms of color therapy. The beauty of a landscape or the serenity of the seaside has brought joy to those who gaze upon it. The blending of colors to create an array of art can add just the touch needed to any room. Photographs are also a great option as they add color and personalization to the space. Consider hanging a large piece as a focal point or creating a gallery with smaller pictures or photographs.
Lighting
Light is an important element in the room, but light fixtures have evolved to become more than just an additional source of illumination. Wood, metal, and glass come together to create stunning fixtures that will add more than just some sparkle. They can now dazzle and delight you, as well as your guests, with color and elegance. Floor lamps, wall sconces, desk lamps, pendants, and chandeliers are among the options available to transform your home.
Area Rugs
Rugs are a fun way to bring color, texture, and pattern into any space. They can help define a space or accent certain pieces. From oval to square and large to small, rugs can add warmth and serve as a focal point in rooms such as the living and dining areas. They can also be a layering tool that adds color and depth to the home.
Flooring
Black and white tile provides contrast, hardwoods bring warmth and a sense of nature indoors, and patterns of color add visual interest. Flooring is one of the most practical elements in design, but it has evolved significantly over the years. Patterned tile has allowed homeowners to bring more color into the room and have more fun doing it. They can also exercise their creativity in various ways to accomplish it, such as mosaic tiling or bold color choices in spaces that were once more traditional, like bathrooms. Flooring options today offer multiple ways to add color to your rooms.
Backsplash
This is a great way to add color to the kitchen, whether that is through bold choices like splashes of orange and yellow or more contrasting options like black and white or gray and blue. Backsplashes are available in multiple options, sizes, and styles, allowing you to have more freedom in choosing colors that reflect your personality.
Painted Walls
An accent wall is a wonderful way to add color to a room; it can also influence the perceived size of the room, while providing depth. When creating an accent wall, it should be the only one and serve as the main focal point as well. It is also a good idea not to heavily decorate the accent wall, as it would detract from its purpose. You can also use wood, as that adds texture as well as color.
Plants
No one does color like Mother Nature, and bringing plants indoors can make a room come alive, offering numerous benefits. Simple green plants like Aloe can make a statement in a more neutral color palette just as well as flowers. Both are great color options for a room.
Mirrors
Decorative mirrors can provide you with your reflection, but the frames can be an easy way to add color to a drab hallway or bathroom. Dark, light, or contrasting colors are now available from many manufacturers.
Window Treatments
Since windows are standard in just about every room, they can be a great way to bring some color into the space. Window treatments come in multiple styles and patterns, allowing you to get both function and elegance in one. They also offer protection from the sun’s rays on those hot afternoons.
Dishes
Dishes are a practical item in the home, but some are just too pretty to hide away. Those colorful plates you love so much, or the colored glasses you adore, can be the perfect way to add pops of color to the kitchen when using glass-front cabinet doors. It is also a great opportunity to showcase some of your grandmother’s beautiful heirloom dishes for everyone to see.
Blankets
For some, a blanket is necessary no matter what time of year it is, which means incorporating a fun colored blanket into your living room or family area adds some nice color to the room while being practical at the same time. You can drape them across the back of the couch or keep them folded for you or your furry companion to use when needed.
Bookshelves
These make a great canvas to fill with color, such as lovely books with colorful covers, special family momentos, or the things you love to showcase, like an award. Bookshelves are a wonderful way to add some color to a space, but in a neat and organized manner.
Hardware
We often say that hardware is the jewelry to cabinets, and with manufacturers offering more elaborate choices, there are now more options for you to choose from. Contrasting or blending, both are great ways to add some extra color to your bathroom or kitchen.
Connection has become a priority in the home over the last couple of years. It can be considered the most basic function of the home, as this is where we gather with family and friends to celebrate, congratulate, and comfort one another. Designing with socializing opportunities has been at the forefront of design for decades, exemplified by spaces such as sitting rooms and large dining tables. This need for connection has made a strong comeback, and designers are once again looking for ways to bring families together. We want to have a home where we can relax and easily engage with one another, but many homeowners also desire spaces that are unified while still retaining a unique character of their own. Let’s talk about how to create a home with connecting spaces.
Several variables are involved in selecting the perfect tile, including material, pattern, and color, as well as factors that influence style and placement. Tile is also a versatile and durable design element, making it a suitable option for frequently used areas. Let’s explore how you can incorporate tile in the home.
Greenbrook DesignThe kitchen tends to be one of the busiest areas in the home, and over the last year, it has become more than just a place to cook food. It has evolved into a multifunctional space where everyone gathers to perform a wide range of tasks. With so much at stake, planning a renovation requires careful thought and well-designed plans. Many designers caution against following the latest trends, but there are a few additional design mistakes they also encourage their clients to avoid. If you are considering a renovation or a new construction project, here are our top five biggest kitchen design mistakes to avoid.
Countertops are often underappreciated and underrated in the design world. They are the true workhorses of any space, as they are used regularly and withstand a great deal. We chop, pound, knead, spill, and more all over these smooth surfaces, yet they continue to function day after day. Unfortunately, they are not meant to last forever. Experts recommend replacing them every 10 to 15 years, especially if signs of wear and tear are evident, such as stubborn stains, chips, or cracks.
Walker Woodworking Sometimes, certain areas of home decor have been influenced by trends that are no longer in style and can make the space feel dated or even uninviting. Rooms also serve a specific purpose, and those can change over time. If your children are no longer living with you, their bedroom can be transformed into a craft room or even a guest suite. There are also some new things that are making their way onto potential homebuyers’ lists. We have done some research for you and discovered some of the top new items being used in home design.
Greenbrook Design