Like a cherry-topped ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, bright colours instantly evoke happy feelings of relaxing family holidays. This year, create your own Instagrammable summer staycation by bringing vibrant colours into your home.
Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture And Choice (FurnitureChoice.co.uk), shares 4 clever ways to add colour to a contemporary family home.
1. Start with fresh white and warm oak in the kitchen
Timeless and versatile, the combination of white and oak is calming on its own but also easy to dress up with colours. “Great for a casual, contemporary kitchen-diner, white walls and cabinets create a breezy, open feeling while an oak dining set brings a lovely warmth,” says Rebecca.
Then introduce bright, summery hues to get a playful and inviting family space. “Choose fun colours that remind you of a hot summer holiday - think zesty orange, sunny yellow and sky blue - to evoke the same carefree feeling in your home,” she explains. Look for accessories like modern pendant lamps, vases or dinnerware that show off these brilliant shades, and bring in a burst of summer freshness with vibrant, colourful flowers.
2. Brighten up a neutral living room with colourful accents
Bring colour confidently into the living room by following the 60-30-10 rule. Keep 60 percent of the space a calming colour like having neutral walls, then add 30 percent of a secondary tone through upholstery, and 10 percent of bolder, brighter hues with accessories like cushions.
“One way to create your palette is to pick out colours from the largest pattern in your space. It could be an artwork that you love, or an area rug, then use similar tones throughout your living room to get a seamless, tied-together look,” says Rebecca.
Turn a neutral living room into a lively, contemporary family space with a sprinkle of cheerful summer hues. “Start with a calming base of white walls and oak accents, then bring in a grey sofa as a chic secondary tone that has a grounding quality. Finish off with playful pops of orange, yellow and blue accessories like cushions, frames and artwork,” she says.
3. Create a vibrant under stairs study nook for teens
“This past year has shown us the importance of maximising a home’s layout to meet additional needs like study spaces and home offices. But with a good dollop of creativity and dash of colour, any small nook can look great while serving its function,” says Rebecca.
Turn an under stairs space into a conducive study nook with a touch of colour, proper lighting and storage options. Instead of keeping to plain white so the space seems bigger, add a splash of vibrant yellow for an energising, positive boost. Rebecca explains, “While larger areas can expand with light, allow cosy nooks to make a statement and envelope you.”
Use vertical storage to save floorspace - install floating shelves or a wire grid board as a fun way to display notes and add personality. Then, invite nature in with a light wood desk and add some plants for a burst of summer freshness.
4. Style a shared kids’ bedroom with cheerful colours and fun prints
Get a dreamy, summery space in a shared kids’ room with soft pink and marigold yellow feature walls. Create different looks for each side with a geometric colour block design then tie them together with fun prints in modern black. Check out removable wallpapers for a rental-friendly option.
“Add hints of black through accessories like a laundry hamper or desk chair to ground the space and add definition. As for the beds, fresh white wooden designs keep the room light and airy for a calming feel,” advises Rebecca.
“The bedroom is such a personal space, so let your kids choose their own decorative pieces like artwork, photos or crafts to be displayed,” Rebecca says. Finally, use rugs to visually zone the different functions of the room such as individual sleeping spaces or a shared play area.
ENDS
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