Make Over Your Home With Color
Yes, yes, white walls are great. But these color combos are better.
Yes, yes, white walls are great. But if you really want rooms that make an impact and lift your mood (which you deserve), pick up some paint, pull out a few contrasting accents, and drench your house in gorgeous hues. Truly, it's that easy.
Slateand Kelly Green
For neutral walls that feel anything but, go dark with charcoal. According to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, gray makes any bright color feel sophisticated — case in point, the happy-go-lucky green on the curtains here. Opt for a matte finish, and also paint the moldings to create a seamless, velvety backdrop that allows the drapes and the rest of the furnishings to really stand out.
Blue and Cherry Red
Stop staring at that stack of paint strips and look to your closet for inspiration. "Like denim, blue goes with practically everything," says designer Lindsey Coral Harper, who energized a cool, calming bedroom with pops of red. Afraid your place may skew a little too Uncle Sam? This foolproof formula ensures you'll get it right: 60-30-10. That means 60 percent of the room is dedicated to a dominant color (blue), 30 percent to a secondary color (white), and 10 percent to an accent (red).
Pink and Light Green
There's more to this pairing than just plain cuteness — there's science! Red and green (opposites on the color wheel) naturally enhance one another, and the same goes for their pastel counterparts. Benjamin Moore color and design expert Andrea Magno says it's fine to play around with different tones of the same color, like the greens here: jade mats in the frames, mint chair fabric, avocado vases perched up high. "It can take a room from feeling matchy-matchy to relaxed," she says. The same pink on the walls and the floor keeps it from looking too all over the place.
Yellow and White
It only takes a couple of painted walls and a single throw pillow to transform a blank canvas into a cheery space — a simple trick for those of us wary of living in a crayon box. A room saturated with natural light is perfect for a punchy yellow like this. "It helps balance out the strength of the color," says Magno. If your home gets less light or you just prefer a tamer take, choose a yellow with a gray or sienna undertone to make it warmer, subtler, and less electric.
Plum and Cobalt
When two shades sit next to each other on the spectrum, like purple and blue, they go together like PB&J. What makes this particular duo so dynamic is that it creates a balance of warm and cool tones. "Plus, a dark color can make a small room feel more expansive, yet still intimate," says designer Angie Hranowsky, who had this dining room painted in a rich purple. If your walls aren't the smoothest, going with a flat finish is your best bet — it'll hide imperfections well.
Emerald and Sapphire
Nobody spends a ton of time hanging out in their foyer, but it's the first place guests see when they walk through the door — making it the ideal spot to experiment with daring hues. When in doubt, turn to nature as your guide. The blue and green in this hallway harmonize like the grass and the sky, and white decorative accents allow the eye to stop and rest. To pump up the drama, use a glossy paint on the walls, suggests Magno. "The reflective surface adds a touch of sparkle." Bonus: A high-sheen finish can be easily wiped down.
RELATED: 8 Decorating Hack to Make Your Home Feel More Unique.
