Colour In The Home

Monochromatic interiors featuring varying shades of off-white / grey have enjoyed an extended period of sustained popularity in recent years but the look isn't for everyone. Whether consciously or subconsciously it seems as though more and more people are rebelling against the recent minimal trend, opting instead to introduce vibrant colours and elaborate prints to their home interiors. Even ardent fans of the minimal, Scandinavian inspired interior trend will admit that the introduction of colour - even if it's a subtle, neutral colour -  can go a long way to completing an interior and bringing everything together. Think about the white walls or flooring as a canvas. It's clean and beautiful, but without something to contrast against it you run the risk of your home looking cold and bare. We put together a list of 10 ways to introduce a dab of colour into your home below. We hope you'll be inspired.

Soft furnishings

Are you renting a pre-furnished house, saving to replace your old tired sofa or perhaps just looking to add something more to your living room or bedroom? A few well placed cushions or throws/blankets have the potential to transform the look of a room. Choose between bold colours and patterns like the Normann Copenhagen Line Cushion or Vitra Colour Block Blanket or opt for a more subtle style with neutral colours in the form of the Hay Dot Tint Cushion and Crinkle Throw. Explore our selection of cushions & throws here.  

Decorative Accessories

This is a bit of a broad category because there are SO many objét that work excellently to break up white space and add character to a room. Want to use colour to add warmth? Achieve this through the use of natural wood (see Rosendahl Bears above) or a copper accent provided by the Tom Dixon Etch Candle holder above. Looking for more of a pop of colour? The hand painted set of collectible dolls designed by Alexander Girard (pictured top left) are perfect! You could also try experimenting with scented candles, photo frames or metallic trinkets - the possibilities are endless. Just be careful not to over-do it unless you're aiming to give off hoarder vibes. Explore our selection of decorative home accessories here.  

Statement Lighting

There are some fantastic, colourful lighting designs available today - you just have to decide how 'out there' you want to be. The Bell Table Lamp from Tom Dixon features a super shiny, iridescent blue polished effect that is sure to 'brighten' up any room (excuse the pun). Similarly the Louis Poulsen Panthella Lamp and Kartell Miss K offer bold and colour options for those looking to make an impression. If you're after something a little more subtle you may want to take a look at the Margaret Howell x Anglepoise Type 75 Desk Lamp, Louis Poulsen PH5 Pendant Lamp or even the Vitra Akari 1AY Table Lamp. Explore our range of contemporary modern lighting here.  

Clocks

A clock may not be the first item that springs to mind when considering colourful additions to your room but thanks to designers such as George Nelson we've got a handle of design classic timepieces that are perfect for just that. The 1940's designs of the Vitra Sunburst and Ball Clock look great in both contemporary and classic interiors while the Moooi Altdeutsche Grandfather Clock will add colour as well as a wow factor. Explore our selection of clocks here.  

Vases / Plant Stands

"Greenery has been a rising trend for a while now, with more and more people filling their homes with foliage in a bid to counteract our increasingly urban lives, but I think 2018 is going to be the year it really comes of age." - Abi Dare, These Four Walls Blog. Indoor plants are a great way to add colour to your interior but you're not going to want your new plants sitting in generic brown plastic pots are you? Luckily, there are a whole host of beautiful planters, vases and pots to choose from that can add to your colour scheme. The Ferm Living Plant Stand pictured above is one of our favourites. Find a home for your plants here.  

Rugs

The most notable way to add colour to a room is with a splash of paint but what if a) painting isn't an option or b) you're looking for coloured details rather than a wash of colour? Well, a rug could be just the thing to take your interior to the next level. With so many size, colour and patterned options to choose from there is a rug for every room! When we're adding colour blocks and extravagant patterns we tend to look towards Spanish furniture company Gandia Blasco but to add a small colour detail our go-to rug at the moment has to be this Fabula Living Rosemary Rug. Find your perfect Hay Mags here.  

Statement Chair

Up until now we've given options for both subtle introductions of colour as well as more bright and bold options. Well, this options calls for you to ditch the subtly and...well, make a statement. Whether you go for a dazzling orange like the photo above (featuring the Knoll Womb Lounge Chair) or a more muted hue, a statement chair is a fantastic way to add contrast to a minimal space. If you're room is already full of colour and patterns, you may want to avoid this option...it could be a bit of an overload to the senses. Explore our wide range of rugs here.  

Sofa

Choosing to go with a colourful sofa may seem like it's only for the bold and daring but that doesn't have to be the case. You can easily make your bold colour work by ensuring the rest of your decor is kept quite neutral. This way a colourful sofa can really complement the rest of the room. Good news - all of your favourite sofa silhouettes are available in a wide range of colours, thanks to the vast array of fabric options available online at Utility. Not sure which fabric to go for? You can always order your free fabric samples before taking the plunge and buying. Find your perfect sofa here.  
Time for more? 10 of the Best Table/ Desk Lamps | A Look Inside the Aalto Residence | Arne Jacobsen's Most Iconic Designs