Using colour to accentuate home features

In many cases, it's a good move to use colour to accentuate your home's features.

Interior design trends are in a state of flux, but the one constant is that neutral shades will always be a hit for homeowners.

Using colour to accentuate home features
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However, sometimes you need to add a dash – or a bucketload – of colour to your living room, kitchen or bedrooms in order to bring personality to these frequently used spaces.

In many cases, it's a good move to use colour to accentuate your home's features. From fantastic crown moulding to charming living room alcoves, a pop of blue or a stripe of red can makeover a space.

Stick with the neutrals in most instances, but add a splash of colour here and there. Here are some fantastic decorating ideas if you're ready to experiment with colour and bring out the best of your home.

Feature fireplace

If you've got a fireplace in your living area, consider turning it into a focal point by cleverly using paint.

Perhaps you want to create a warmer, cosier living area. You can quite literally take inspiration from your fireplace and embrace wild shades of red, orange and deep yellow.

However, you don't have to paint the whole room these colours. You can paint the fireplace itself and keep the walls a warm cream, such as Resene Half Dutch White. This is the perfect way to balance practicality with a love of fierce, fiery shades such as Resene Smashing and Resene California.

Look upwards

Are you living in a quaint villa or homely bungalow? If so, you may have beautiful archways in your home – for instance, between the living area and hallway.

You can draw attention to such features by using bright paint shades. Because archways are just one element of your home design, painting them a daring shade is not as risky as going over all the walls.

Shades such as mustard and eggplant might be too much for your entire living room, but they are perfect for archways. If you've always wanted to experiment with colour but have been hesitant, this might be your chance to totally revitalise your property, without going overboard.

Focus on the ceiling

Have you considered taking a bit of liberty with your ceiling?

While many homeowners paint it a very similar colour to their walls – or white – these aren't the only options available. For instance, black ceilings are increasingly in vogue and can create a dramatic mood in the living room.

If your ceiling has interesting features or you have decorative crown moulding, this could be the perfect approach for your home.

While a black ceiling is a bold move, if you pair it with cream walls and tan furniture, you can achieve a remarkably striking aesthetic.

Another option is to paint your ceiling the same colour as your walls, but paint the skirtings and crown moulding a dramatically different shade, such as navy blue or maroon.

Either way, you're sure to draw attention to an area of any room that's often forgotten!

Play up the floor

Looking up is all well and good, but have you looked down?

Wooden flooring looks fabulous in any home, so if you've got such a feature in your property, be sure to play it up!

While polished floorboards are popular if you're going for a sophisticated, classic look, there are other options available.

For instance, you can play up this natural material by painting your floor a crisp white – such as Resene Double Alabaster – and investing in cool white and grey furnishings for a touch of Scandinavian chic.

Go a step further and add a stencil, if you dare.

Pick a vibrant shade of blue, such as Resene Submerge or Resene Yarra and apply an abstract or floral stencil print to the centre of your floor. Pick curtains or accessories that also play up the same shade, for an integrated look.

Colours mentioned in this article...

Colours marked as "buy in-store" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, the testpots can be purchased at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.