How to Incorporate Color in Your Home

Color infuses a space with character. There are numerous ways in which homeowners can introduce color throughout their residences. For some, there is no such thing as too much color while others shy away from adventurous hues.

“Whether you are bold or color-timid, you can incorporate color to fit your personality, adding warmth and distinctiveness to your home,” explains Harrell Designer, Debra Winston.

Accent walls, backsplashes, wallpaper, and cabinetry are great ways to make a bold color statement. But for those who would prefer not to see bold color everywhere all of the time, Debra suggests a “stealth surprise.”

“I have a client in San Jose who loves color and isn’t afraid to use it,” says Debra. “One of the ways they integrated adventurous shades was to add a fun wallpaper on an accent wall or use a pop of color on the inside of their closets. In the same way that a bright lining on a classic jacket provides a flash of color and personality, it makes them smile every time they select their outfit for the day. This ‘stealth surprise’ is a fantastic way for people who are concerned about having too much color overwhelm the space to dip their toes in the water.”

Whatever hue you choose for your covert closet color, pull pops of that same tone in adjacent rooms using colorful pillows, rugs, artwork, and other accent pieces.

For many, their home tends to focus on neutral tones. Debra has noticed that most people strive for warmth and stability in the overall color they choose. Décor and accent pieces offer incredible opportunities to infuse color as do kitchen appliances. Accessories in a kitchen such as a colorful tea kettle, trivet, painting or wall hanging add punch without permanency. Bedding, pillows, and towels can easily (and fairly inexpensively) be changed in baths and bedrooms. The same concept can be applied throughout the house, creating an entirely different mood based on the season or as a way to experiment with current design trends.

Painting the exterior of your entry door is another way to invite that pop of personality. Just as with the interior, the majority of homeowners also opt for a neutral tone for the exterior of their home. Choosing a complimentary yet bold shade for your entry door creates visual interest as well as curb appeal without making a major color commitment. A red door is a classic and historic symbol of welcome, or go with a vibrant tangerine to catch the eye (and make it easy for people to find your home)!

A popular home design trend is painting all interior doors a rich charcoal gray. When coupled with crisp white trim and a soft gray wall color, this palette is elegant and sophisticated, working well with a variety of design and decor aesthetics. Use a satin or semi-gloss finish paint to keep fingerprints at bay.

Color should welcome you, making you feel at home. Bold or subdued, deliberate or stealthy, however you choose to use color is an expression of you. It can be playful or classic, cosmopolitan or traditional. A lot or a little, color adds distinctiveness, warmth, and richness to every room, every space, and every home.

Debra Winston has been with Harrell Design + Build Design + Build since 2014 and has received numerous awards for her designs. Her fine arts background and her 13 years as a fashion designer for Ralph Lauren in New York City give Debra a unique design sense that benefits Harrell Design + Build clients. Debra specializes in Kitchen and Bath redesign and is a Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP), as well as whole-house remodels and room additions. Debra takes great pleasure in guiding her clients’ through the Design + Build process. She listens closely to what they want, and what will actually work for them. Her goal is to provide the best solution for every client’s distinct needs and lifestyles.

Looking for inspiration? Contact the Design + Build team at Harrell Design + Build and discover how we can transform your Silicon Valley house into an amazing home.