Colour 2016

Published January 13, 2016

When the holidays come to an end, our homes tend to look a little empty and depressing for the remaining winter months.

The decorations are put away and the twinkle lights no longer illuminate our rooms.

There are ways to bring back colour into your home and add some much-needed life during the dreary winter months ahead.

Bright fabrics, paint and flowers are just three ways to quickly add pizazz back into your home without breaking the bank.

Nothing adds a pop of colour to a chair or couch better than a bright toss cushion.

January is a wonderful time for stores to put large amounts of their stock on sale. Look for pillows and throws in reds, oranges and this year’s hot colour of Rose Quartz Serenity chosen by colour specialists Pantone.

Pantone is well-known for their Pantone Matching System used by designers worldwide. It basically is a standardized colour reproduction system that is consistently used to ensure colours match without direct contact with one another.

Rose Quartz (a rose tone) and Serenity (a cool tranquil blue) are blended together to produce this year’s Colour Of The Year. Pantone chose this colour for its soothing qualities. Consumers are seeking tranquility and well-being and are therefore attracted to the calm qualities that the combination of these two colours provide.

Colour is really a personal choice. If you prefer to avoid the trends then stick to colours that work for you and your family.

Flowers are another great way to add colour to your home. I love the clear cylindrical vases that are widely available. Fill them with a few single flower heads such as gerbera daisies and add a floating candle to the top of the vase. This is a modern twist on a traditional flower arrangement.

If you are really in the mood for a larger change of pace then painting your walls is a great idea to completely transform a dull room into something fresh and new.

Colour on an accent wall makes a room come alive. This is a great option if you are hesitant to paint an entire room in a bright shade.

A quick visit to your local paint store will inspire you to choose a colour for your accent wall that will allow the room to pop without the overbearing effect of too much colour. Accent walls work best when there is a logical reason as to why it was chosen.

Invite a friend or two over and ask their opinion on which wall to choose before painting.

A couple of designer tips: Warm colours tend to pull the wall toward the eye whereas cool colours do the opposite. In addition, choose a wall that is not obscured with large draperies or furniture. The wall should be a feature within the room on its own.

Barb Lunter is a freelance writer with a passion for home decor, entertaining and floral design. lunter.ca