The home decor experts have spoken: Brilliant color is in for 2018. Although neutral interiors have been trending for a time, this new move to embrace vivid colors in the home can't come at a better time.
"In the past few years, tans and various gray and white hues were the must-have chic shades," says Sean Juneja, CEO of the New York City-based interior design firm Décor Aid. "But this year, we have seen a significant shift away from neutrality and a step towards bright, bold, and colorful shades. Integrating bold colors into your space will not only brighten the room but also give a sense of renewal and energy."
How to add color to a room
So what are the best ways to add color without making your home look like a Technicolor mess? It's all about accessories and accents, according to celebrity designer David Bromstad, the original winner of HGTV's Design Star, and the current host of "My Lottery Dream Home." "We can do rugs, we can do vases, we can do artwork. ... There are all sorts of ways to add color without having to paint the walls," he says.
We tapped some of the most color-savvy design experts for their tips on incorporating original and relatively inexpensive pops of color into your humble abode.
Reupholster something
Why run out and buy new furniture, when you can take something old and add color to it with new upholstery? Find some vibrant fabric you love and re-cover an armchair, loveseat, ottoman, or dining chairs. As for color selection? Try rich jewel tones, as they're hot this year. "Statement colors like purple really shine when paired with a neutral interior," says Juneja.
Add self-adhesive wallpaper to your furniture or cupboards
Desigher Kyle Schuneman suggests using temporary wallpaper on dresser drawers or other furniture with flat surfaces. He used a retro yet modern pattern called "Hojas Cubanas" from Tempaper to really spice up the dresser above. How about trying your favorite color or pattern on the drawers of your bedside table—or even on your bathroom cabinet doors?
Look up to the ceiling
"Don't forget the ceiling!" urges Paula Grace of Paula Grace Designs in Northern Virginia. While a brightly colored wall might be a bit too brash, a painted ceiling isn't going to disrupt the balance of the room.
"I like to use a luminescent blue on ceilings in rooms that have few windows," says Grace. "It lightens and brightens, bringing the outside in."
Switch up small accents
“I’ve found that clients who are reluctant to change are more willing to incorporate bolder designs when they are presented in the form of smaller accents—things like throw blankets, pillows, and vases,” says Juneja. Choose a main color scheme you'd like to feature in your room, and then branch out to either analogous colors (three matching colors that are neighbors on the color wheel, such as light green, green, and light blue) or complementary colors (colors on opposite ends of the color wheel, like blue and orange).
Hang colorful artwork
Art can make a huge difference in an otherwise neutral room; just take a look at the modern piece in the stark white room above. “Colorful art pieces have eye-catching designs and will be a bold contrast every time," says Juneja. "Art is the perfect way to incorporate beautiful hues into your otherwise neutral space.”
Paint your kitchen cabinets
If you went for an all-white kitchen before you got the memo that colorful is now the thing, fear not. A great way to incorporate color into your kitchen is to paint the cabinets. As long as your existing appliances and countertops are in neutral stainless steel, black, or white, any color you decide to go with—whether it's a subtle light blue or a deep forest green—will look great.
