2024 is the year of embracing bold colour in the home if TikTok’s ‘unexpected red theory’ and Pinterest’s ‘Club Tropicana’ interior trend predictions are anything to go by. For those wanting to take a chance and inject bold colours into their homes, it can be a daunting task – both trying to make a statement that will stand the test of time, reflect your personality and fit with the aesthetic of the rest of your home.
A study by NEXT has found that 84% of Brits want to add more colour to their homes this year and over two-thirds (70%) admit to feeling stuck with their current home aesthetic.
Before taking the plunge into redecorating an entire home with bright colours, it’s worth trying out hints of colour, one room at a time, to see how it makes you feel and whether you gravitate to these more colourful spaces.
In collaboration with NEXT interior designer Lucy Tiffney, finalist on The Great Interior Design Challenge, has shared tips on how to inject pops of colour into your home as well as revealing which shades are trending right now.
“Different colours can evoke different emotions, so choosing a colour that makes you feel calm or happy is a great place to start. If you’re looking for trending shades, think bold colours – greens, bright pinks and orange are all really popular hues this year.”
Living room
“The living room is one of the most used spaces in the home so makes for a perfect place to trial adding colour. An added benefit of adding colour to this room is that you can start as bold or as subtle as you like, as there are generally more accessories and larger pieces of furniture in this room to break up pops of colour than in any other in the home.
“An example of this could be adding a colourful ornament or vase as a focal piece on top of a black sideboard. You can balance this out with other black, metallic or neutral accessories to begin with, then gradually add more colour to the scheme. If you’re feeling more daring, consider adding a bigger piece of furniture in a bold colour, such as a mustard or pink footstool to contrast a tan or cream-coloured sofa.
“If you know you want to create a colourful living room but don’t know where to start, it can be as simple as just finding one base colour that you want to tie the room to. A great hack for finding complementary colours is to use a paint colour chart. Typically, any of the colours in the same vertical line will be monochromatic matches and any horizontal colours will be complementing tones.”
Kitchen
“When it comes to the kitchen, most people will opt for neutral colours like beige, grey or white – which is understandable as it’s a room that can look dated very easily. If you’re starting from scratch, choosing the colour of your cupboard doors is a really influential decision. Consider the amount of natural lighting in the room; especially when deciding between dark and light colours.
“Alternatively, another great way to add pops of colour in your kitchen is through your cookware or dinnerware. We’re seeing more people using casserole dishes, plates or utensils holders as accessories in their kitchens, which is a brilliant way to make the space feel lived in and homely.”
Lucy says: “If you want to keep the bones of the kitchen relatively neutral, then a great way to add colour is through your soft furnishings – bold and bright patterns are really popular at the moment and compliment neutrals well. For example, If you have an armchair or sofa in your kitchen, consider opting for brightly patterned floral cushions or throws to add interest to the space and play with using colour.”
“The ‘unexpected red theory’ trend works really nicely in a kitchen and can create a really impactful point of interest. This can be done in many ways – with a statement blackout blind, a kettle or coffee machine.”
Bedroom
“Tread carefully when adding colour to the bedroom, as this is a space that needs to remain tranquil and inspire relaxation. For this reason, I’d avoid overstimulating, bright colours like red. If you want to make a statement, you could opt for a bed frame in a striking colour like blue, green or pink – then layer the colour with a neutral-coloured bed linen and a matching throw or cushion.
Lucy suggests “Adding colour and texture through patterned throws or cushions in the bedroom is also a fun way to add interest and can be easily changed up for different times of the year. Choosing prints with a few colours like a floral or stripe can add detail and allows you to pull through the different colours in other areas of the room”.
“Placing a bench or ottoman at the foot of the bed can add a really luxurious feel to the room. These often have the benefit of offering additional storage space and can add a subtle splash when chosen in a colour like blush pink, moss green or navy. Despite this piece of furniture being paired with a bed, ottomans can often look impactful in a clashing colour or style, there isn’t a need for a matchy-matchy aesthetic.”
Bathroom
“Generally people are a bit more adventurous with colour when it comes to decorating a bathroom. If you’re lucky enough to have lots of natural light, the bathroom is a great space to experiment with colours, too. Green and orange are trending colours for bathrooms but you don’t have to commit to changing your paint colour to incorporate them.”
Lucy says: “Most bathrooms will have textiles on display in some form – whether that’s towels hanging over a radiator to dry, a bright bath mat, or some fun artwork, these offer a non-committal and quick way to change up your room if you’re cautious about adding colour.”
“Opting to paint the woodwork only, is another great way to add a touch of personality without overdoing colour in what can typically be a small space. Try painting the window frame and sill, and the skirting boards and see the impact it can have.
“Another really easy way to add colour to a bathroom is through the use of plants – this enables you to add greenery to the room in a natural, but also temporary way.”
For more home interior inspiration and to shop colourful decor, visit the NEXT website.
