|
Creativity can give your home a new look and feel.
You can make relatively small and inexpensive changes that have
massive impact by smart use of paint and color.
Meredith Lynn Designs shares 10 ways to update your home with paint
that include:
• Adding fresh paint to walls to “make a room feel like a brand-new
space.”
• Painting kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities to brighten and
update the rooms.
• Painting kitchen and bathroom countertops. Though it can take
time, it can bring impressive results.
• Painting interior doors in a shade of black to accent the doors.
• Painting the kitchen backsplash white to make that area look
better.
• Painting brick fireplaces white to brighten a room.
• Painting window trim in a “contrasting color” to update a home’s
look.
• Painting floor tiles in a solid color to provide “a simple, clean
look." Using stencils to paint the tiles can create a fresh look.
• Adding a new coat of paint to built-in shelves to help update a
room.
• Painting chandeliers or cheap vanity lighting to beautify and
update the areas they are in.
Once you have decided to update your living space with paint and
color, you need to decide what colors you want to use.
Before getting started, the article “8 Color Tips to Change your
Home” says it is helpful to use a color wheel to create a color
scheme. Neutral colors include white, beige, gray and tan. Warm
colors include yellows, reds and oranges. Bold colors include black,
dark red and lime green. Remember you do not have to stick with
traditional color schemes.
When you have chosen a theme, consider pairing neutral color with
lighter and darker shades of the same color. Think about room size
when choosing colors. Lighter shades can make rooms feel bigger,
while darker shades can make rooms feel smaller.
Make sure to balance the color palette with a base, medium tone and
lighter accents. Creating a balance also means watching out for too
many colors in one room.
Colors can create a mood in a room. Therefore, you should choose
colors that make you feel good and relaxed. Blue can create a calm
mood and yellow can create a happy mood.
Pay attention to color trends and add pops of color with accent
colors. For accent walls painted in a different color than the other
walls, choose bold colors.
Accent ceilings can make a room more interesting. The article with
color tips suggests using a lighter color or more neutral color than
what is on the walls. A lighter color can make the ceiling appear
higher. Using a darker color can make the ceiling appear lower.
New paint is just one way to add color to a room.
Adding chairs, pillows, vases, and other accessories in bold color
can liven up a room. Colorful artwork can help liven up neutral
walls.
Since the living room is an area where families may spend a lot of
time, there are many ways to add color to this area. In her article
“10 Ways to Add Color to your Living Room,” Coral Nafie says using
color can “freshen up a space” and “breathe new life into a living
room.”
[to top of second column] |
For a larger wall, consider painting the wall in
either a “bold, contrasting color” or “a tone darker than the other
walls.” For example, black or dark red can provide a bold contrast
to rooms with white walls. In a room that is light blue, navy blue
can complement the other walls.
To add more color, use throw pillows that are either solid,
patterned, or mix and match depending on the pattern on your chairs
and couches.
To bring nature inside, place either real or artificial greenery
around a room. Plants help bring a room to life and make the room a
more welcoming environment. Consider using planters that reflect
light to brighten a room even more.
Update or revamp lamps to add personality and color to the room.
Put a bold area rug in a living room under tables or in front of
chairs. In the dining room, a large area rug may go under both the
table and chairs. Rugs can add both color and warmth to a room.
Have cushions reupholstered to update their look.
Place a large mirror on an empty wall to reflect light and color
from the rest of the room.
Put a large piece of artwork or group of framed photos in a room to
create a focal point. They can add hues, shapes, and brightness that
draw people in.
Paint a bookcase with one or more colors to make it look like a
“work of art.”
Use colorful throws, blankets and quilts to accent furniture and
various pieces in a room.
Expect to have a sense of pride as you show off your re-newed house.
Friends will be amazed at the difference your efforts have made. The
home will have distinct personal touches that reflect YOU. Then you
can consider what to do with the money you have saved.
Sources
Hathaway
Timmons, Diane. “8 Color Tips to Change your Home.”
https://www.thespruce.com/color-tips-to-
change-your-home-4057466
Meredith Lynn Designs. “10 ways to update your home.”
https://www.meredithlynndesigns.com/blog/
2019/5/21/10-ways-to-update-your-home-using-paint
Nafie, Coral. “10 Ways to Add Color to your Living Room,”
https://www.thespruce.com/add-color-to-a-living-room-1976484
|
