Color is incredibly impactful in a space. Imagine the last time you walked into a room full of soothing warm neutrals, or a home full of joyful pops of blues and greens. Color richly impacts the way we experience a space, but it can feel tricky to know when to lean into light neutrals and when to add deeper vibrant hues. With some intention and balance, both can be stunning choices!
When to choose neutral colors
Neutral colors are a welcomed backdrop to any space as they exude calm and mimic nature. Knowing when to lean into more subtle tones is really about considering the function and feel you want in the space. If your main goal is relaxation, choosing a light airy neutral might be the way to go. If it’s a smaller space where you spend less time but want to pack a punch (like a powder room or laundry room), then don’t be afraid to have more fun with bold colors.
We typically choose more subtle neutral colors as the base layer for homes, especially for the walls of a main living space or open floor plan areas. We also weave neutrals through some of the furnishing selections to allow the bolder colors to really shine. If everything makes a bold statement, then nothing does.
When to use statement colors
When it comes to statement colors, it’s definitely all about balance. Having a neutral base provides a soft place for the eye to land and allows pops of color to stand out more. We’re most likely to choose statement colors in powder bathrooms, dining rooms (colored wainscoting with a wall mural anyone?), home offices, and kids’ spaces.
A bold color can also be a great choice for a furniture piece like a sofa or armchair that draws attention without overwhelming the room. If everything is neutral, nothing is special, so it’s important to find a few areas or pieces in a space that can make a statement to give a home that curated, bespoke look.
Personalizing your home – Blending neutral and statement colors
In general, there isn’t a rule or ratio for choosing neutral vs statement colors, but we typically incorporate a few bolder colors in each space we create to give it a more inviting, lived-in feel that isn’t too curated.
We’re always seeking balance, so if you choose a pop of color for a space, make sure it appears in more than one place. For example, if you have a navy sofa in a living room, we might also introduce a navy floral fabric on an ottoman or a navy pinstripe in the drapes on the other side of the room so that the pop of color feels cohesive with the overall design. To create a sense of flow from room to room, be mindful of coordinating a balance of statement and neutral colors.
Lastly, it’s most important to remember, if you love it, try it! Design is art and you are the artist. So have fun and try to resist too much influence.
From our home to yours,
The Peach and Pine team
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