It can be intimidating to select a bold color for your home, especially if you are nervous about stepping out of neutrals. I love a quiet palette, but sometimes a strong color is definitely called for. If you are scared to use bold selections in your home, here are 4 great tips to help you color outside the lines!

1. Start Small

For my color-phobic clients, I always suggest that they start small when it comes to introducing stronger colors than they’re used to. That could mean one piece of art that has great hues or a single piece of furniture that really pacts a punch. In the space above, I had a custom sofa designed in a gorgeous red. It draws all eyes in an otherwise neutral space. Always start with a color you love, too. That way you’ll be more likely to love the way it looks.

2. Remember Paint is Cheap

In the overall scheme of your home’s decor, paint is the least expensive thing to change. So if you’re REALLY nervous about color, start with paint. In the kitchen above, I had the island and the range hood painted in a lovely cadet blue. Even though the blue is only in 2 places, it makes a big impact for a small investment. Paint a small bathroom in a bold color, or try a dramatic look on a piece of furniture or built-in shelves. It makes you less worried about whether you’ll like it if you know you can easily change it!

3. Try Tile

There are so many stunning tile shapes and colors available today that you can create a look that is both gorgeous and daring. I used black penny tile in the bathroom above to make a statement in the all-white space. A bathroom floor or wall is a terrific place to experiment with tile. I wouldn’t go to bold in the kitchen unless you’re sure that you’re going to love it, because tile can be expensive to switch out.

4. Layer the Look

Use paint AND accessories to layer color into a room. As you can see above, I started with a gorgeous rug in shades of blues and greens to start the color story. Then painted cabinetry and chairs complement the look by picking up accent colors from the rug. This is my favorite way to use color in my designs, and it is super-easy to change if you don’t get the look exactly right the first time.

What do you think about these ideas? And how do you feel about color in your home? Let me know in the comments section below!

Warmly,

Beth