Tips for Incorporating Bold Colors in Your Home

If your home is feeling as dull and colorless as the snow and dormant trees outside your window, it might be time for a chance of pace. While new furniture can shake up a room, it’s a big investment and not something most people can swap out on a whim. Instead, why not consider introducing color to your rooms? Replace some of that eggshell with eggplant and watch your home’s personality come to life!

Look for Bold Colors in the Grey Aisle

If the frightening prospect of bold colors is how bright they can be, look for shades right next to the greys in the paint swatches. Bold colors with grey undertones are softer than their brighter counterparts, thus they deliver bold colors without blinding you. This can be a safe way to start your bold color journey.

Start with the Front Door

If taking the plunge into bold colors is still a little scary, start with something small (and easy to paint over): the front door! Not only does this give your home major curb appeal, but you can dip your toes in the bold color waters without having to make a significant commitment. Still on the fence? Take two poster boards and paint them with three coats of your selected color. Three coats will ensure the high-pigmented color is true to its shade. Then, hold the boards against the door and take a step back. This lets you “try before you buy” or can help you make the final decision between two shades.

Experiment with the Inside of Cabinets and Bookcases

When looking to incorporate bold colors inside, a safe place to start is the inside of cabinets and bookcases. Even set-in windows offer a color opportunity. This can either be a subtle way to integrate color into a room with predominantly neutral shades or baby steps toward introducing bold color to an entire room.

Take two poster boards and paint them with three coats of your selected color. This lets you “try before you buy” or can help you make the final decision between two shades.

Consider Stripes

Stripes are another way to limit your commitment to a bold color choice. To avoid looking like a carnival tent, consider making the lighter stripe in the same color family as the strong colored stripes. To make the room look taller, go for vertical stripes. For a wider room, horizontal stripes work best. Also consider adding stripes to a just single wall, for an added accent in a room.

Attempt an Accent Wall

If stripes aren’t you’re thing, but you aren’t ready for four walls of merlot or navy blue, consider an accent wall. Painting just one wall in a room can help root the space and give it personality without being overwhelming. This is particularly useful in larger, open rooms like a great room or a living room.

Commit to a Small Room

For those smaller rooms in the house, you might be able to introduce color to all four walls. A guest bathroom can be the perfect room for this. The space is often on the smaller side, but outside the main spaces of the home, giving you more creative freedom if you aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into Technicolor living spaces.

If you take nothing else from this article, remember to use the 60-30-10 rule.

60-30-10 Rule

Overwhelmed by the potential to overwhelm your space with color? If you take nothing else from this article, remember to use the 60-30-10 rule. When looking to style a room, divide it into three categories: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary color and 10% accent color. So, in a room, this would traditionally look like: 60% = walls, 30% = upholstery, 10% = accent pieces, like wall décor, floral arrangements, or maybe that bright accent wall!

Whatever colors you choose to paint your home, the first step is buying the house! That’s where GCD comes in. We are happy to help you along every step of the homebuying journey, even if you’re still in the dreaming phase. If you think Park City is the place to call home, give us a call. Our communities are waiting for you!