8 Times a Surprise Hit of Colour Worked
When it comes to interiors, the unexpected is good, right? Not convinced? These cool colour choices might convert you
Jennifer Spaeth
25 January 2018
Houzz UK Contributor. I'm a freelance writer and sub-editor with more than 15 years' experience in publishing, and have worked on a wide range of titles including Ideal Home, House Beautiful and Marie Claire. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Houzz team.
Houzz UK Contributor. I'm a freelance writer and sub-editor with more than 15 years'... More
How does that old saying go? “Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make a big difference?” Well, on the decorating front, the following small – and surprising – shots of colour have made a huge – and happy – difference. They bring in the feel-good factor in a major way. Just take a look and let us know what you think in the Comments section.
Energise a kitchen with hot pink
It’s not the first colour that comes to mind for a kitchen (even though Nigella herself once had pink units), but when you see this room, you might just say to yourself: “Why don’t I have this pretty shade in my life?”
Not only does the hot pink on the island instantly lift the neutral space, taking it from standard to standout, it also enhances the modern-country feel the owners wanted to achieve. If they’d gone for a pale pink, the overall effect would have been too pretty-pretty. This tone strikes just the right balance between contemporary and rustic.
It’s not the first colour that comes to mind for a kitchen (even though Nigella herself once had pink units), but when you see this room, you might just say to yourself: “Why don’t I have this pretty shade in my life?”
Not only does the hot pink on the island instantly lift the neutral space, taking it from standard to standout, it also enhances the modern-country feel the owners wanted to achieve. If they’d gone for a pale pink, the overall effect would have been too pretty-pretty. This tone strikes just the right balance between contemporary and rustic.
Accessorise with neon orange
Orange sometimes gets a bad rap, but if you choose the right shade, it’s brilliant for bringing a small dose of sunshine to a scheme. This bedroom would have been a teeny bit too monochromatic without the addition of the look-at-me bare-bulb pendants with neon orange flex.
And introducing pink as the second accent totally works. Pink and orange fall in the same quarter of the colour wheel, so they’re harmonious. A match made in heaven.
Orange sometimes gets a bad rap, but if you choose the right shade, it’s brilliant for bringing a small dose of sunshine to a scheme. This bedroom would have been a teeny bit too monochromatic without the addition of the look-at-me bare-bulb pendants with neon orange flex.
And introducing pink as the second accent totally works. Pink and orange fall in the same quarter of the colour wheel, so they’re harmonious. A match made in heaven.
Brave a rainbow of brights
Yellow, fuchsia, brilliant baby blue – definitely not the norm for shelving, but spot-on in this stylish room that works on so many levels: from the different-sized shelving, which adds visual interest, to the way the shelves coordinate with the sofa and soft furnishings. Imagine if the storage weren’t multi-coloured – it would just look a little flat, wouldn’t it?
If painting your shelving is going to be a DIY job, any surface is paintable (including laminate, gloss and factory finishes) as long as you use the the right primer. With the materials mentioned, an adhesion primer is best.
More ways to get standout shelves
Yellow, fuchsia, brilliant baby blue – definitely not the norm for shelving, but spot-on in this stylish room that works on so many levels: from the different-sized shelving, which adds visual interest, to the way the shelves coordinate with the sofa and soft furnishings. Imagine if the storage weren’t multi-coloured – it would just look a little flat, wouldn’t it?
If painting your shelving is going to be a DIY job, any surface is paintable (including laminate, gloss and factory finishes) as long as you use the the right primer. With the materials mentioned, an adhesion primer is best.
More ways to get standout shelves
Colour-block sunshine yellow
The main reason this surprise hit of colour is so good? It’s the way it effortlessly elevates the standard single bed. The other reasons it gets the thumbs-up? Firstly, it brings another dimension to the neutral space; secondly, it’s a design decision that was reached by thinking outside the box – literally. Extending the colour block around the corner, so it covers just a sliver of the other wall, is clever, as it ‘wraps’ the bed for a cocooning effect.
The main reason this surprise hit of colour is so good? It’s the way it effortlessly elevates the standard single bed. The other reasons it gets the thumbs-up? Firstly, it brings another dimension to the neutral space; secondly, it’s a design decision that was reached by thinking outside the box – literally. Extending the colour block around the corner, so it covers just a sliver of the other wall, is clever, as it ‘wraps’ the bed for a cocooning effect.
Add depth with deep blue
OK, this semi-open-plan entrance hall in a bijou apartment would be super-chic even without the blue door, but isn’t it better with this unexpected colour hit?
The blue adds a richness to the space and makes a great foil for the wallpaper, helping to pick out the hint of blue in the eye-catching pattern. It’s a feature of the wallpaper that might have gone unnoticed.
10 different ideas for internal doors
OK, this semi-open-plan entrance hall in a bijou apartment would be super-chic even without the blue door, but isn’t it better with this unexpected colour hit?
The blue adds a richness to the space and makes a great foil for the wallpaper, helping to pick out the hint of blue in the eye-catching pattern. It’s a feature of the wallpaper that might have gone unnoticed.
10 different ideas for internal doors
Lead the way with rich orange
The owners of this house could have settled for only a runner on the stairs and it would have looked perfectly fine. However, they have to be applauded for adding a “hello there” burst of colour. The orange makes this stairwell sing and actually highlights that smart bordered runner very nicely.
It’s a good idea to use a hard-wearing floor paint if possible, because, even though the runner will take most of the footfall, the painted surfaces will still need to withstand a fair amount of wear and tear.
The owners of this house could have settled for only a runner on the stairs and it would have looked perfectly fine. However, they have to be applauded for adding a “hello there” burst of colour. The orange makes this stairwell sing and actually highlights that smart bordered runner very nicely.
It’s a good idea to use a hard-wearing floor paint if possible, because, even though the runner will take most of the footfall, the painted surfaces will still need to withstand a fair amount of wear and tear.
Fill the sky with turquoise
Ceilings are often the last thing we think about when it comes to decorating. All they require is a lick of white paint, right? Not always. Here, this stylish bathroom has been given a striking twist with a surprise splash of turquoise on the ceiling.
The blue softens the brilliant white scheme. It does make the ceiling appear a little bit lower, but it’s not a big deal, as this lofty room can handle it, and the colour actually draws the eye up to the statement pendant.
See how wallpaper can transform your ceiling
Ceilings are often the last thing we think about when it comes to decorating. All they require is a lick of white paint, right? Not always. Here, this stylish bathroom has been given a striking twist with a surprise splash of turquoise on the ceiling.
The blue softens the brilliant white scheme. It does make the ceiling appear a little bit lower, but it’s not a big deal, as this lofty room can handle it, and the colour actually draws the eye up to the statement pendant.
See how wallpaper can transform your ceiling
Perk up your tiles with pink
Yes, it’s back to the kitchen (and pink), but this unexpected touch of colour just had to be shown. Who knew grout came in such a pretty shade? And who knew it would work so well? The pink highlights the brick formation of the tiles and turns the otherwise ordinary splashback into a feature. See, simple things can make a big difference.
Have you used a surprise hit of colour in your home that’s made a big difference? If you have, show or tell us in the Comments section.
Yes, it’s back to the kitchen (and pink), but this unexpected touch of colour just had to be shown. Who knew grout came in such a pretty shade? And who knew it would work so well? The pink highlights the brick formation of the tiles and turns the otherwise ordinary splashback into a feature. See, simple things can make a big difference.
Have you used a surprise hit of colour in your home that’s made a big difference? If you have, show or tell us in the Comments section.
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