Decorating with bold colors—like jewel tones and citrus hues—packs a visual punch. The trick is to keep it from turning garish. To pull it off, make sure your bold colors stay sophisticated. Choose shades that aren't too bright because muted but bold paint colors are more visually soothing.
Before you pick up a paintbrush, determine your level of commitment to the colors you've chosen. If you're committed but don't want overwhelming amounts of bold color, confine it to a powder room, nook, or small space. You can also cheer up a space just by introducing a bold, colorful accent piece. Or, if you're uncertain and don't want to go all in, experiment with accessories such as pillows, bedding, and throws. Keep reading to see how bold color combinations affect different rooms in your home.
Use Neutral Backdrops
The navy blue walls in this living room provide a neutral backdrop that can pair with almost any other color. This room's energy comes from the perfect amount of contrast, thanks to all the red accents. Want an easy update? Try the bold color with hot pink, pale blue, bright red, or grass green—the sky's the limit. The beauty of decorating with bold colors is it doesn't take much (or cost a lot of money). Switch out the lampshades. Add a colorful throw. Or, for a low-cost DIY update, search for frames at a thrift store that can be spray-painted.
Give New Life to Old Pieces
In smaller spaces (like hallways or powder baths), it's okay to be a little more brave with bold colors—and you don't have to break the bank to do it. One low-cost solution? Give a vintage piece of furniture a fresh lease on life with new paint. Just about anything you own can be painted with a bold color for an instant refresh.
Experiment with Accents
You don't have to commit to an entire room when it comes to bold colors. Here, a flash of peacock blue comes in the form of an accent chair and small accessories. Notes of yellow from the sofa and window treatments are a playful contrast. In the background, soft greys from the walls, floors, and accessories provide a soothing, balancing canvas.
Go Monochromatic
The bold color on these living room walls provides the perfect backdrop for a pair of chartreuse club chairs. The look could have been visually jarring, but the homeowners made the bold color feel cohesive and sophisticated by painting the trim the same color as the cabinets and walls. The monochromatic look keeps the space bold without being busy—despite the number of cabinets and shelves. Gold hardware and accents are the perfect accessories to take this bold color combination from playful to downright chic.
Find a Bold Color Anchor
There is so much to love about this delightful Palm Beach-inspired dining space. What makes all the bold colors work is the rug, which anchors the space and provides color inspiration for the entire room. High-contrast white woodwork and accent furniture stand out against the rich sapphire blue walls. Metallic hardware and lighting lend high sophistication and vintage glamour—it's like the perfect vintage costume jewelry for the room.
Let Your Furniture Do the Work
Here, a brightly upholstered yellow ottoman punctuates a sitting area and steals the show with its friendly, bold color placed front and center. The versatile pieces are a perch for setting down a book or glass and double as extra seating. If a large, vivid piece is too much for your space, add a modern accent with brightly painted stools or end tables.
Create a Bold Color Zone
Neutral kitchens are another place to add a cheerful burst of color. For example, bright bar stools in this kitchen create a happy snack zone. The bold kitchen color encourages guests to come and chat while food is prepared. The vibrant teal can be easily swapped as trends come and go. Having just a zonal swath of color makes it easy to convert the kitchen color scheme to bright red, blue, yellow, or green.
Tips for Adding Bold Color
Whether you're a renter, homeowner, interior designer, or novice decorator, don't be afraid to experiment with bold colors in your home. When done well, they can turn a ho-hum space into your favorite room. For a cohesive look, start with a neutral base such as white, gray, or beige, and build from there. Mix in a play of patterns and throw in texture to add to the energy that often comes with a bold hue. Make your accents work harder to wind your bold color choice around the room.
If you're unsure, start small and use simple accessories like pillows, lamps, and decorative objects. See how the new color plays with other pieces and hues in the room. Consider the color wheel when experimenting with more than one color and try using different tones of the same color to make the space feel pulled together rather than chaotic. When you can, utilize the furniture and architecture you already have. Above all, don't forget the value of employing restful backdrops to let your bold, colorful pieces shine. In addition to typical neutrals, greens and blues, the colors of land and sky, can be effective backgrounds to a bold palette.