The colours you choose for your home have a significant influence on the atmosphere of the environment. The beauty of this is that by making a few simple adjustments with regard to colour, your interior space can be granted an entirely new character.
Transitioning into a new season provides the perfect opportunity to consider something new you would like to welcome into your life or, on the other hand, possibly let go of. Introducing some new colour is a great way of ensuring that the atmosphere of your home is aligned with your personal aspirations for the season.
The way in which you incorporate colour into your space is critical to achieving your desired atmosphere. As they say, it’s all in the details! In this article, we categorise the approaches to colour implementation into three levels. How colour is best incorporated is determined by the nature of the existing space you have, as well as the budget available for making these changes.
The first (and biggest) way colour can be introduced is by applying it to large surfaces, such as floors, walls, ceilings, or a combination of such elements. This approach is an effective way of clearly defining spaces and / or enforcing a strong interior design concept. A singular colour can be used on multiple surfaces throughout the home interior to achieve a monochrome effect, or a combination of complementary colours can be used to produce striking contrast.
The second level draws the colour focus to specific elements of the interior as opposed to large surfaces. Examples of such elements include kitchen modules, backsplashes, staircases, bathroom appliances, or furniture pieces like couches and wardrobes, among others. By accenting these elements with colour, they become the centrepiece of the composition and give the space a unique character. Like at the level of defining areas, this can be done with the use of one common colour shared by different elements, or a range of different complementary hues across the house. This method is a great way to subtly tie different areas of the interior together to create a sense of continuity throughout the house, without any monotony.
Material mood board by AKKA Architects
The third and smallest-scale method of colour implementation is through smaller, decorative items like cushions, rugs, paintings, sculptures or small furniture pieces. This is a very easy and flexible solution which makes some small elements stand out; subtly adding some colour to the main design. Using this approach is very suitable for those who prefer more neutral overall designs but would like to incorporate small and subtle bursts of colour throughout.
As you can see, selecting the colours you like is one thing, deciding where and how to implement them can be a totally different thing. As a general rule the larger the surface you want to cover in colour, the less saturated the colour needs to be. The smaller the surface or item, the more vibrant, you can go. That is a general rule, but remember, rules are made to be broken, so feel free to experiment in your own way too!
All in all, it may not seem like such a simple task deciding exactly which colours would be complementary to your current interior and what the best way to practically implement them would be. There are also many external factors, such as the behaviour of natural and artificial light in the space that should be taken into consideration when making colour related choices. Therefore, we highly recommend you find a way to test and experiment before making any final changes.
Alternatively, you can always have some form of consultation from a professional if you are planning on making significant changes, particularly concerning bold, statement colours. Having a design consultation could also be beneficial for experimenting with colours that are perhaps out of your comfort zone but would work well to achieve the atmosphere you are envisioning.
The fantastic thing about introducing new colours into your home is that even the smallest of adjustments can have a wonderful effect on the space. Whether your budget allows for some colour accenting or a full redesign, colour can really transform the atmosphere. What better way to welcome a new season than by bringing new life into your home?
Picking the right colours is also just as important to achieving the right atmosphere for your home. Check out our earlier article on 2022 Colour Trends to explore some of the leading predictions on which colours will be an important feature of interior design in the upcoming year.