Adding Accent Colors in Your Home Decor
♫ Monday, February 28th, 2011When thinking about how to decorate a room, it is a good idea to take one piece and design the room around it. This can something as large as a three-seater couch or as small as a scented candle. Whatever it is, there is something about that piece that really strikes a chord with you, so go with that feeling and use it to create an entire room that makes you feel welcome and cozy, somewhere you can relax into the feeling of being surrounded by beautiful things.
For instance, a cushion whose color you adore could be the starting point – take that color and work with it. If it is a bright color, such as green or scarlet, then keep the rest of the decor quite simple. Don’t throw too many strong colors in there or the end effect will be of a kaleidoscope and not particularly restful; unless of course, you find kaleidoscopes restful. Most people don’t but it is a matter of personal taste.
This one splash of bright color will give you the starting point – look out for other pieces with that color in, and don’t limit yourself. You might find it in a particular flower or plant that grows in your garden or you may see a painting using some of that color. A set of candles might use it, or even a book jacket. Keep your eyes peeled for objects using that color. A lampshade, a picture frame, absolutely anything that uses that color can be used in your room and the more unexpected the better. The idea is to have a room that is decorated in a fairly simple, basic color palette with these bright flashes of color half hidden away, waiting to be discovered.
Area rugs are a good way of bringing this color into the room without it seeming too obvious. There is a huge variety in the available designs of area rugs, so you should be able to find one that incorporates the color you have chosen to accent the room. Try to find a rug that contains the right color without having too much of it. The point of an accent is that it occurs in small, localized patches, rather than one huge splash. The right area rug will continue your chosen accent color onto the floor without ruining the effect by making it a focal point. That is something entirely different.
The possibilities offered by the right accent color are endless and hugely varied. When you find a splash of color that stands out against the rest of your furniture without clashing with it, the overall effect is very pleasing. It gives you the impression that here is a place where anyone can relax but which still shows, very definitely, your own personality.
