Decorating
Colour: How a Bold Piece of Colourful Furniture Can Wake Up a Room
A shot of unexpected colour can inject so much personality into a space. Introduce it on furniture rather than walls to make a big splash
When we think about adding a little colour to a neutral scheme, we often go down the cushion and rug route. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But there is another way to liven up your rooms and it’s a little more unexpected than simply adding an accessory or two – coloured furniture. Whether it’s a simple stool bringing a bright touch to a grey scheme or a huge dresser painted in a confident shade of pink or blue, colourful furniture can feel a little more exciting and make a lot more impact than soft furnishings in bright tones. So let these 10 rooms inspire you to go big when you go bold…
Do it yourself
If you can’t find furniture in just the right shade of hot, zingy colour you crave, paint a piece yourself. Buy untreated wooden furniture and give it a bright coat, or sand down existing wooden pieces, prime them and then repaint in a bold tone.
If you can’t find furniture in just the right shade of hot, zingy colour you crave, paint a piece yourself. Buy untreated wooden furniture and give it a bright coat, or sand down existing wooden pieces, prime them and then repaint in a bold tone.
Confound expectations
Colour is an unexpected element in a rustic scheme, which often relies on natural materials rather than paint shades for its atmosphere. This handsome cupboard beautifully suits this cottagey space, but its pink colour has the element of surprise and is all the more charming for it.
Colour is an unexpected element in a rustic scheme, which often relies on natural materials rather than paint shades for its atmosphere. This handsome cupboard beautifully suits this cottagey space, but its pink colour has the element of surprise and is all the more charming for it.
Double up
If your brightly coloured piece is on the small side, give it a little more impact by doubling up. Two items in a bold shade create double the impact and make clear the design intent behind their inclusion in the scheme.
If your brightly coloured piece is on the small side, give it a little more impact by doubling up. Two items in a bold shade create double the impact and make clear the design intent behind their inclusion in the scheme.
Freshen up a bathroom
Help your bathing space invigorate you by introducing some bold colour. This room shows how you can stick to a familiar recipe (mirrors, white ceramic, warm limestone) but tweak it in a fun and surprising way by adding a piece of brightly coloured furniture.
Help your bathing space invigorate you by introducing some bold colour. This room shows how you can stick to a familiar recipe (mirrors, white ceramic, warm limestone) but tweak it in a fun and surprising way by adding a piece of brightly coloured furniture.
Stop being so serious!
Grey is much-used and much-loved as a neutral tone that creates an effortlessly sophisticated feel, but if all that calm elegance does not quite express your personality, add a bright colour on a sculptural piece of furniture. Suddenly, you have a focal point and a playful detail cleverly combined in one piece.
Grey is much-used and much-loved as a neutral tone that creates an effortlessly sophisticated feel, but if all that calm elegance does not quite express your personality, add a bright colour on a sculptural piece of furniture. Suddenly, you have a focal point and a playful detail cleverly combined in one piece.
Add an appliance
Why not stretch the idea of coloured furniture to include appliances? Look how the glossy red finish on this fridge brings welcome energy to this stylish grey kitchen. It feels like a witty touch, confidently proclaiming that neither the room nor the owner takes themselves too seriously.
Why not stretch the idea of coloured furniture to include appliances? Look how the glossy red finish on this fridge brings welcome energy to this stylish grey kitchen. It feels like a witty touch, confidently proclaiming that neither the room nor the owner takes themselves too seriously.
Punctuate white
We all know the benefits of a white scheme: it’s expert at making a space feel lighter, brighter and even bigger. But if a white-out sounds too severe, punctuate the glacial gorgeousness with a shot of confident colour on a large, striking piece of furniture.
Explore 10 crisp white design schemes
We all know the benefits of a white scheme: it’s expert at making a space feel lighter, brighter and even bigger. But if a white-out sounds too severe, punctuate the glacial gorgeousness with a shot of confident colour on a large, striking piece of furniture.
Explore 10 crisp white design schemes
Go bright against dark
Coloured furniture against dark walls can knock the austere edges off a restrained, grown-up scheme and provide a welcome highlight among the deep tones. You don’t even have to reach for the most eye-popping pieces; any bright object (an armchair, a table) will stand out nicely against a very dark backdrop without clashing.
Coloured furniture against dark walls can knock the austere edges off a restrained, grown-up scheme and provide a welcome highlight among the deep tones. You don’t even have to reach for the most eye-popping pieces; any bright object (an armchair, a table) will stand out nicely against a very dark backdrop without clashing.
Combine with purpose
Colour and functionality can beautifully combine, so look out for pieces that work hard but bring a shot of brightness into an otherwise neutral space.
TELL US…
Do you have boldly coloured furniture in your home? How have you used it? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Colour and functionality can beautifully combine, so look out for pieces that work hard but bring a shot of brightness into an otherwise neutral space.
TELL US…
Do you have boldly coloured furniture in your home? How have you used it? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Bold pink doesn’t get used as much as some other bright shades, perhaps because it carries such feminine associations. This living space shows how a burst of pink can look anything but girlie and in fact feels fresh and exciting. This large pink cupboard is complemented by pink armchairs to add pace and focus in the pale scheme.
Discover 10 more ways to decorate with hot pink