We’ve spent a LOT of time in our homes over the last few years. And while things finally feel back to normal, that time at home hit many people with the same “aha” moment:

Your interior spaces should bring energy, excitement, and personality! (Not feel dull and drab.) 

And nothing accomplishes that like adding color to your home.

Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

As long-time color enthusiasts, our Erika Bonnell Interiors team is excited to see that this feeling is also becoming a growing trend. After years of “farmhouse” style dominating the world of interior design, color is making a major comeback.

But when you’re going at it alone, adding color to your home can feel intimidating — and we get it. Finding that “just right” balance can be a challenge for even the most experienced designer, but after years of practice, we’re here to share our five foolproof tips for getting it right.

Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

1. Start with a neutral backdrop.

When dipping your toes into color, we always recommend keeping the foundation and the shell of your space neutral before adding color to your home in balanced doses.

For example, in my house (below), I chose a completely white kitchen with neutral, graphic wallpaper. From there, I added a strong green backsplash and lavender stools to complement a piece of artwork hanging over the stove.

Photo by Christy Kosnic.

Grounding your interior with that neutral palette will keep the room from feeling chaotic, while intentional color choices bring visual interest and warmth to the space. Plus, it’s far less scary to incorporate pops of color than to commit to bold hues on every surface.

Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

2. Create a color story.

So, how do you pick colors that work well together? Always start with a palette that works together.

As I said before, I love to use a piece of art or a rug to tie the space together. You can also find inspiration in nature; a beautiful sunset, for instance, combines orange, blue, and raspberry hues that would blend beautifully in your home. 

And remember, adding color to your home is an investment, so make sure your choices fit into your “big picture” ideas for the space. We always suggest creating a vision board that layers your potential paint colors, fabric swatches, and accessories so you can see how everything will look together before making any major decisions or purchases.

Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

3. Balance the “weight” of your color.

This is a big one: When adding color to your home, you don’t have to use the same shades throughout, but you do need to balance the weight of those shades.

So, for example, if you have a house with a dining room and living room on opposite sides of a foyer, you should saturate both spaces with a similar depth of color to keep things from feeling too heavy on one side and too light on the other. The same goes for open floor plans; if you choose a bold sofa in the living room, add an equally eye-catching feature in the kitchen to create balance.

(Above, you can see that the kitchen’s baby blue chairs and coral shades feel equally weighted with the painted furniture and upholstery in the living room. Bingo!)

Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

4. Ease in with smaller items.

Color newbies, this one’s for you! I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to dive into color head first. Easing in with rugs, throw pillows, draperies, lamps, and art is a smart way to test out the waters without the commitment.

(We also love bright bouquets or bowls of fruit for a pop of color that can easily be swapped out at any time.)

My one major tip: When adding color to your home for the first time, steer clear of big paint or wallpaper decisions at first. The stakes are higher when choosing wall color, so playing around with art and accessories is a less risky way to take your home from neutral to bold.

Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

5. Don’t be afraid to take a few risks.

While complementing colors is the goal, choosing colors for your home shouldn’t be a matching game. (You don’t want your home to feel like you just went to a catalog or home store, bought everything from the display, and took it home, right?)

Instead, blend shades that feel a bit “off” to help create more visual interest and depth. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Some will pay off, and some won’t. But if you’re smart about your planning and purchases, you won’t be stuck with a final product you don’t absolutely love.

 

Color can be the ultimate game-changer, and with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be intimidating — even to the DIY designer! Rely on resources like Pinterest or home-design social media accounts for inspiration. (@erikabonnellinteriors is packed with pin-worthy images!) 

And remember: When in doubt, work with a professional, even if it’s just to get started. The idea of incorporating color often paralyzes people, so they never make any decisions and their house never really feels like a true reflection of their personality and style.

Your home should feel like you and bring excitement and energy every time you walk through the door. So, what are you waiting for? 

Find a color palette you love and start making small changes to shake up your space and create a home that feels extra special. And if you need a little nudge, you know where to find us!