9 Ways to Add Color to Your Home
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I often hear people say that they are afraid of using color.
And I have to ask why? Why is using color so frightening?
I love color and hope that these 9 Ways to Add Color to Your Home will inspire you to get your feet wet with adding color to your rooms!
1. Paint your walls
Don’t be afraid to use color on the walls. I often hear people say that are scared to use color on the walls because it will be difficult to resell.
Do what?
You have to live there, so do what you want with it! You can either tone it down when you need to sell or offer an incentive to cover paint costs.
And if you don’t want to paint your walls Pear Green or Hot Pink or Pumpkin Orange, go for a softer color like Moody Blue or Rain.
And buy samples. Lots if you have to. Paint the walls or use a drywall square from your local hardware store so you can see how the paint changes throughout the day.
I love having color on my walls. It just makes me happy. So do what makes you happy.
And if that isn’t having color on the walls, keep reading… I have some more ideas that might help you in your quest!
2. Paint your Front Door
This is one of the most complemented parts of my home. I wanted a color that would stand out but not frighten. Ha!
This Blue Mosque color I used on the Front Door stands out and totally adds a happy vibe to our front porch.
Again… buy several samples like I did. It’s worth the effort and extra expense to make the right decision.
Just click here to read about this door.
3. Paint old Furniture
Do you feel bad about painting wood?
Stop it. If you have an old piece of furniture, painting it is the perfect way to add a pop of color to your boring room!
And if you have a small space like my foyer, you can paint it the same color as your walls like I did our once hideously ugly, 1970’s piano which is now Pear Green.
Before, I painted it, I swore the piano wouldn’t fit in the space, but once I painted it the same color as the wall, not only did I adore the once ugly piano, it receded into the background and totally fit the space!
You can see more of this piano here.
4. Paint Old Cement Pots
Do you have some old cement planters or come across them in a yard sale?
Did you know you can paint them?
Well, you can. And these painted and glazed cement pots have stood the test of rain and snow and still look amazing!
So, paint that cement and add a pop of color to your porch!
You can read how I made these right here.
5. Buy Old Wooden Frames and Paint them
I buy all of my frames from Thrift Store because, well… they are cheap!
But, alas, they are ugly.
So, I paint them.
If you like a neutral wall, you can paint your frame a bright color and add some fun to your room like I did with this Goodwill frame.
Cheap, easy and fun! Can’t beat that!
You can see more of Hot Shot’s Pencil Sketch here.
6. Use colorful fabric to update your furniture
Using fabric is a fun and easy way to add some color!
I used a fun modern graphic pattern to cover these once very hard chairs.
Now not only are they more comfortable, but they provide a fun pop of color for our office!
You can read more about these Ode to Po chairs here and here.
7. Recover Old Lampshades
This is an easy and thrifty way to add color to your room. Just find some old, ugly lamps, spray-paint the bases and use some fun fabric to recover the lampshade!
You don’t have to get as MOD as I did… choose any fabric that speaks to you and go to town.
I just used a circle skirt pattern and attached it with velcro. That way, you can make a new shade and change it out whenever you like!
You can see this tutorial right here.
8. Make a simple wreath with a fun pop of color
If you want to add some color to your front door, but don’t want to go crazy, you can make a simple wreath and use some bright daisies to add a pop of color!
You don’t have to use orange! See what colors your local craft store stocks and pick your favorite!
This is a fun and very easy project that will have your visitors feeling welcome before they ever step through the front door.
Click here to see how I made this cheery Daisy Wreath and how I temporarily updated it for Halloween here.
9. Use some removable wallpaper on your stairs
Petrified of wallpaper? Don’t be. This wallpaper from Spoonflower is removable!
Now, you’ll want to test it if you are reeeeeally concerned, but from what I can tell, it would come off well if you wanted to remove it.
And what better way to liven up some BO-ring stair risers?
The pattern selection is incredible and you can choose whatever floats your boat.
Me? I tend to like bold patterns and colors… but at this point, that doesn’t surprise you, does it?
You can see how I did this project here.
So, there you have it!
Don’t be afraid to add some color! It’s full of life and so much fun to live surrounded by it.
Get your toes wet first, and after a while, it won’t seem so scary!
Don’t forget to pin this page so you can come back and reference it for inspiration!
May your days be filled with love and laughter and lots of color, my Bold Ones!
Want to see more of The Bold Abode? Just visit my Home Tour!
bold in smaller doses! 🙂 i am always a fan of a fun painted front door!
A little goes a long way… or so I hear. I haven’t quite figured that one out yet!
This is a perfect post for this time of year. The weather is warming up and all the blooms are popping out. Inspiring for bringing some color indoors, too. Good tips.
Thank you, Holly!
GREAT post Gwen! I love that bubble vase on the wall! and i am dying to paint my door a bold color! 🙂
Thank you, Jocie! That bubble vase is one of my very favorite accessories! I got it at an auction for a song!
And get that door painted. I LOVE having a fun front door!
Super like your post Gwen, great choice of colors from the wall to the door. I also like the color of the fabric you use as cover to the chair’s seat.
Thank you so much, Ian. I am crazy about having color around. Thanks for stopping by!
Love painted front doors and I’ve been wanting to do something fun to our stair risers – here’s to living in color!
Kelly
Painted front doors are the best!
Living in color is even better, yo! Thanks for popping over, Kelly!
Great tips! {And your home is really, really beautiful!} I am a neutral girl, but I’ve been trying to step out of my comfort zone lately and experiment with color. It really can bring a lot of fun to a space! I popped over from Practically Functional–thanks for sharing!
~Abby =)
Thank you, Abby! I can totally appreciate a gorgeous neutral scheme, too, but I have this thing for color and I can’t live without it…
Thanks for dropping by, girl and I hope you find some fun ways to incorporate color in your home!
Some beautiful ideas!
Thanks, Margo!
Great round-up, Gwen! I admit that I need to incorporate a few splashes of colour around this place… 🙂
Thank you, Tara! Go for it! Playing with color is soooo much fun!
I’ve just had the most amazing morning with a cup of coffee and your blog! How have I not stumbled across the bold abode before? I’ve clicked to follow; and I can’t wait to see what you come up with in the future; now that I’ve gone through so many of your past postings. I’ve slooooooowly been adding color to our home; and it is so much fresher, brighter and fun. I wish I would have done it a long time ago. Now you’ve got me eyeing my boring front door. Perhaps it’s time to welcome spring with a nice lime green. Thank you for the inspiration this morning… Make it a bold week! Jules
Thank you so much, Jules! I think a Lime Green Front Door would be smashing!
I really appreciate your kind words and your visit!
A lime green front door! Oh, I agree that would be so cool and cheerful!! 🙂
Yes, lime green! That would be soo amazing!! Giving directions? “our house has the lime green door” I would do lime in a heartbeat if my hubby would let me! Hmm… Maybe I will anyway 😉
Beautiful blog, Gwen, I’ve never had a problem w color so I looove all your ideas!!
Thank you, Amber!!! I say go for it! I did with our piano, and my husband came home and told me I’d lost my mind! He’s come around, though and yours will too… or not. But either way? You’ll have a super gorgeous front door! hahaha
I like your style! I am a very bold color girl. I like drama and romance and I think there is no better way to invoke those feelings than by using color. Red is my favorite, I use white, yellow and green for contrast and pow! 🙂 Fun stuff.
Great post, I love all of your ideas. I would love it if you would link up to my Inspire Me party that is ongoing.
https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/04/162nd-inspire-me-tuesday.html
Hugs, Marty
Some great tips! I am a HUGE color fan and use lots of it in my home. I love all your suggestions!!
Krista
I love your ideas! You have some great suggestions for renters who aren’t allowed to paint their walls and doors, as well. I like lots of color, but I love my bright white walls, too. I tend to switch things up a lot, so using some of your tricks I could easily change the whole look of a room without painting the walls, or maybe do one accent wall with the removable wallpaper! I never even thought of painting cement pots. My houseplants are waiting for me to go find them some now, I think they’re a little bored of their default green plastic pots! 😀 Thanks for the inspiration!!
Thank you so much, Theresa! I’ve just painted my dining room white… with some fun color accents.
The removeable wallpaper is amazing. I’m so happy with it. 🙂