By now you probably know, I’m not one to shy away from color. And while I’m all for peaceful, neutral-toned rooms, I can’t help but advocate for my true love of bold and bright or deep and moody color palettes that have incredible power to transform a room and create endless inspiration. 

When it comes to deciding on a color story for the home, I often get asked how to incorporate bold, fun colors, while still keeping the design elevated and sophisticated. Let’s break it down…

Take a Moment to Reflect on Color’s Impact

Before considering how to incorporate color in a sophisticated, elevated way, we first need to start at the core. It’s so important to know which colors speak to you personally. When you think serenity, what colors do you envision? How about energy, motivation, or peace? This might look different for everyone, so take the time to self-reflect on what works for you. 

That said, a key part of knowing what does work, is also knowing which colors definitely don’t. Color is more than a visual experience; it has the power to greatly affect your mood and emotions. You should love how you feel in your home — so take the time to really ask yourself what various hues do for you.

Start Small and Feel the Impact

If bold colors are a bit outside of your comfort zone, start small, and I promise you will feel the difference. There are a few strategic touches you can add to any room to get your color fix, without feeling like you over-committed.

I love to incorporate touches of colorful pillows, artwork, or even wallpaper that a client wouldn’t have expected — and as these pops of color bring a little life to a space, my clients are usually pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoy the less-predictable pop. If I’m really feeling bold, I might even pull this move with a paint color.

Not sure where to begin with your color journey? Try adding a splash of vibrancy or moodiness to an entryway, creating both a fun first impression and a meaningful lasting one.

Bonus tip: A rug is like art on the floor and a great way to add some personality and punch!

Step Up Your Color Game

Once people see how much they actually enjoy using color, they often worry about using too much of it. This advice might push you outside of your comfort zone a bit, but it’s time to let go of that fear. If a room filled with bold shades and bright patterns makes you feel happy, alive, and energized, then that’s exactly what you should have. Your personality should always shine through in your home, and utilizing favorite colors is a perfect way to do just that. 

I could bathe an entire room in bold colors and patterns (In fact, I have!)— but it’s once again important to go back to the “feel” of a room. The one place I often discourage use of bold colors is the primary bedroom/bathroom, as this spot should feel as tranquil and peaceful as possible. Your most restful rooms should feel like a sanctuary, so neutral and cool tones reign supreme here.

What to Avoid for an Elevated Look

While I do want clients to have autonomy in choosing their color story, there is one more mistake I would caution against in order to keep a space feeling elevated. It’s time to toss out the concept of the accent wall. Too often, it creates a sense of unbalance, and when not done properly, this “pop” of color can actually cause chaos and distraction. If you wish to add color to a wall, I say go big and add it to all four, and balance the bold walls with more neutral furniture.

Color Combinations I Love

You can’t go wrong with featuring tone-on-tone of any color. I love bringing together navy blue with teal, pink with red, and purple with blue, creating cohesion with the undertones, but contrast with the vibrancy. 

Call me crazy, but I also love fusing blue, green, and pink for a color splash that just works. And this might not come as a surprise, but gold and light blue is also a signature duo of mine. While these combinations are personal favorites, my same advice stands: lean into what feels right for you!

Overall, colors have power — and to avoid them altogether is to deprive yourself of meaningful feelings and emotions. Take the time to truly examine your color preferences and their impact on your mind, then start small and build from there. I often find that bold rooms tend to be the clients’ favorites — so don’t be afraid to say YES to color.