Looking for easy ways to liven up a room without carrying out a complete makeover? With some thoughtful interior touches, you can transform a tired space into a standout scheme just by adding colour into your decor. From pretty pastels to decadent jewel tones and clashing patterns, these bold and beautiful ideas will have you reaching for the colour chart in no time.
Give your exterior a golden glow by painting your front door a vibrant shade of yellow. The vivid shade will make any surrounding greenery or masonry pop and the look will lead the way for colourful schemes within.
Give your bookshelves a reshuffle by turning them into a rainbow of colour by coordinating book spines. You can make your shelves a versatile and colourful focal point by arranging book collections in colour themed blocks or a kaleidoscopic mix and match run.
Look to the colour authorities when it comes to adding an on-trend shade to your home this year. Both Pantone and Dulux choose a 'colour of the year' which you can incorporate into your décor any way you like. However, you don't have to update your home every time a new shade comes into favour. This soothing misty green hue, known as Tranquil Dawn, was Dulux's colour of the year for 2020 and still works beautifully today.
Colourful towels and matching accessories are probably one of the easiest ways to inject colour into a neutral bathroom scheme. Budget high-street prices mean you can stay up-to-date with colour trends without breaking the bank. These ladybird bath mats and toiletry dispensers create a happy and fun look for summer.
Standard banisters are usually stained natural wood, so why not break away from the norm by painting yours a bright new colour? Or, go one step further by painting each spindle a different tone. To complete the look, add colourful artwork on the walls and you've created a cheery stairway in no time.
Select furniture in rich shades to inject a quirky colour shot into bedroom schemes. These days, coordinated furniture can feel dated so mix and match bedside tables, wardrobes, and bed frames create a stylish character. The more variation the merrier! Take control of the colour choice and upcycle pre-loved pieces too.
Plain and empty storage surfaces create the ideal space to exhibit a colour coordinated display. This minimalist sideboard has been given instant character with an arrangement of colourful and shapely vases and accessories.
Whether it's a large floral table centrepiece or a little posy to pick up a dark corner, there is something special about the natural colour and freshness flowers bring to a home. If you're worried about longevity, dried bouquets are a great long-lasting option that bring just as much colour to your home.
From pretty Easter pastels to rich harvest oranges, celebrations are a wonderful way of introducing natural colour into our homes. As well as the usual Christmas and Thanksgiving feasts, why not create a colourful tablescape for Halloween or the Summer Solstice too? Use candles, flowers, crockery, and placesettings as opportunity for a variety of hues.
Lighting schemes don't have to be traditional shades of white or yellow, you can use colour changing bulbs to suit any mood. Plus, ceiling pendants and table lampshades are an ingenious way to add colour to a room as the shades and tones can shift as day turns to night and the lights are turned on, creating a whole new effect.
Just as statement floors are popular, patterned carpets are following the suit. Colourful stripes add a refined touch that will enhance the size of the room as well as create smart character.
A fabric wall hanging is a textural alternative to standard wall art than can transform a room. Much like a floor rug, the choice of colour and pattern is probably endless. This style of wall feature works particularly well with earthy toned, global schemes in need of a shot of colour.
A painted radiator in a funky colour will make your heating solution stand out from the crowd. Choose a contrasting colour to the backdrop to make it pop. You can buy one ready sprayed or have a go yourself with a multi-surface paint that can be sprayed directly onto the metal finish.
A chequerboard floor pattern looks bold yet timeless in a hallway. Black and white is the go-to choice for many but a contrasting colour mix can make a striking statement. This rich brown and white colour combination is continued up the stair treads too.
Update your common white bathroom sink with a tonal number for colour wow-factor. Pink, grey, or terracotta shades are all the rage right now and look inspiring and modern installed with black or gold taps.
If you're opting for a bright, light kitchen, bring in colour with striking standout appliances. This zesty orange fridge is the perfect choice to break up a plain white wall. Why not continue the colour run with cobalt blue cabinets that increase the vibrancy?
Giving plain cabinetry a lick of paint in a pretty colour will transform your kitchen, making it look like you've spent a fortune on a whole new installation. If painting every cupboard door feels daunting, ease yourself into the DIY project by going for a two-two tone design.
Inject au naturel vibes into an uninspiring room by committing to a subtle botanical scheme. Here, box shelving is filled with deep green foliage to make a simple but effective style statement. Believe it or not, these plants are artificial so will always keep their lush green leaves but if you're after the real deal, be sure to choose hardy indoor plants and water them correctly.
Add a sleek touch to your kitchen tiles with a stunning statement splashback. Rather than standard tiling, why not shake things up with a patchwork pattern? These Moroccan-inspired colours are tonal yet striking with a glossy rustic finish that stands out against the white wall.
If you fancy a large hit of colour and pattern in one place, a mural may be just the thing. Here, a large-scale watercolour effect creates abstract waves. Easier than wallpapering, murals come as one large design that can be pasted to the wall or secured with adhesive backing.
In spaces with plenty of natural light you don’t want to overdo it with bright coloured accessories. In conservatories or glass extensions for instance, just lift your scheme a little by introducing a single accent colour or pattern, like these smart roller blinds.
Bed linen is a common way of introducing colour to a space, but why not take it one step further by layering up cool clashing patterns? This eclectic bed pairs various shades of yellow and blue with floral and geometric prints for a comfy contrast.
Rather than painting an entire wall, why not use colour to highlight certain sections of a room? In this home office area, a deep russet red has been used to outline the shelving section beneath the staircase. Use the painted area as a backdrop to display pictures, books and postcards.
Next time you think about adding a new lick of paint to your walls, get creative. Rather than sticking to one shade, choose a few contrasting hues and mark out a graphic pattern with tape. This standout teenage bedroom features a bold angular design in yellow, accented by fun polka dot patterns of jet black.
Injecting colour into your home doesn't have to result in a bright, neon scheme. For a sleek, sophisticated feel, opt for rich jewel shades in contrasting hues. This exotic ruby room is beautifully balanced with an emerald velvet headboard and opulent hints of gold.
Get inspired by an existing piece of furniture when it comes to adding a vibrant splash of colour. The bold tangerine tone of this modern sofa's upholstery is echoed in the cushions, lighting, books and candles to make a real statement. Stick to a neutral white or grey background to balance out the vibrant hue.
Shake up mealtimes by swapping out normal white tableware for a set of vibrant coloured and patterned designs. You won’t even need a tablecloth, these hits of speckled colour offer plenty of decorative interest. Bright shades like this work especially well against fresh white wooden tables.
Earmark overlooked areas in your living space and elevate with a Mediterranean hue. The right shade of blue can really give a room atmosphere, and you don't even need to take a paintbrush to the walls to create real impact, as seen here in these painted bookshelves. Complete the holiday vibe look with a matching relaxed armchair.
When it comes to colour staircases are often neglected, but with a little imagination, they can really pack a punch in your hallway. These raspberry and yellow risers have been painted but you can create the same effect with adhesive stickers which can easily be removed in the future. Simple and easy, this ingenious idea delivers striking results.
Jazz up a blank hallway by hanging bright and playful framed prints. Art is a great way of introducing colour and pattern to your home, as well as injecting some personality. Mix an array of artistic styles, from pop art to impressionism, for a cool and eclectic feel. And don't forget the frames, which can be just as colourfully varied.
Even minimalist bedrooms can benefit from a touch of colour. If your walls and soft furnishings are neutral, adding a statement headboard is a clever way to add a focal point to a pared-back scheme. If a headboard is beyond your budget create the effect with a colourful painted design on the wall. It will have the same effect.
You can keep your living space minimalist while still incorporating shots of colour. Mismatched dining chairs in pastel hues stand out in this neutral and light dining room, ensuring the space looks refined and sophisticated and you can carry this theme into any room in the house.
It's not just the walls that can handle colour in your home. A splash of blue across the floor can be a refreshing fit against white woodwork, while linoleum is a practical waterproof choice for a kitchen or utility room like this one. Pick a mid-toned shade that’s not too overpowering and have fun with your floors.
Breathe new life into your bathroom by swapping out drab, neutral tiling for something with a little more impact. If you don't fancy retiling a whole wall, why not accentuate an architectural feature like an alcove or narrow space instead? Complete the look by painting the door the same tone as the tiles like this zesty shade of marmalade
For a change from neutral wood or white gloss, add a burst of colour to your scheme with bold and bright storage. A great choice for snug spaces, these retro lockers are super-skinny and can be mixed and matched in various shades to create a cool, contrasting vibe.
Refined and romantic, shutters are a beautiful addition to a living space, and what's more, they carry colour especially well. This beautiful cobalt-blue makes its mark from the inside and out. Strong statement window dressing only requires a few accents elsewhere to create a harmonious scheme. Here, the vibrant shade is carried through in the artwork and bright ceramics.
For a sure-fire way to create a showstopping space, pick shades at opposite sides of the colour wheel that form an unexpected match. Here, a rich raspberry hue gives this old unit a new lease of life and creates the perfect contrast with the tonal green wall tiles despite their positions on a traditional colour chart.
Punctuate a crisp white children’s room with hits of bright colour for plenty of impact. Opt for three or four hues across an array of patterns and textures. In this tutti frutti-inspired scheme, a vibrant bed frame, pretty stripes, and a gallery wall transform the neutral space into a dreamy kaleidoscope of colour.
Colour can be used to create the effect of high ceilings with clever techniques like this. Paint the lower half of the wall in a bold, showstopping hue, keeping the upper half and ceiling white. This makes the ceiling seem much further away. This white and navy scheme is the perfect example, stylish and vibrant! We love that the colour runs behind the shelving units too.
Bathrooms sometimes look a little cold with a plain white suite or cooler tones of blue and green. Warm things up with this warm tropical scheme combining opulent gold accents with inviting earthy and ochre tones. Smart toiletries, towels and mats in the same tonal hues will create cohesion and elegance, while products decanted into matching bottle dispensers will add a polished finish.
Colour isn't limited to bedsheets in the bedroom. To create a cosy atmosphere and add a welcome pastel pop, hang sheer curtains around your bed. For a restful vibe, opt for mauve, soft baby blue or pale pink. This scheme features the same voiles layered with thick patterned curtains in the window for a sense of cohesion.
If you're new to experimenting with colour, choose one statement piece to start. Sumptuous velvet sofas are everywhere and you'll find them in just about every hue under the sun, making them the perfect statement hero piece for your living room. Jewel colours, pastel shades or rich burnt tones will add plenty of personality to a neutral scheme and create a colourful focal point.
A lick of coordinating paint across woodwork and furnishings can make a real statement in your hallway. Don't be afraid to choose a deeper shade either. Featuring a busy statement wallpaper, this scheme uses a sumptuous dark green to tie together the sideboard and doorway, creating a stunning contrast against the yellow wall.
Focusing a scheme around two contrasting shades is a recipe for interior success. This kitchen has been split in half, with the cabinetry and dining table painted a vibrant green, while the crisp white marble splashback and neutral walls balance out the bold hue. Consequently, the pale upper portion of the room reflects light from the window, creating a feeling of spaciousness. Genius!
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