Lively Living Spaces: Using Saturated Colours

If you’ve spent any time looking through home décor magazines, you’ve probably been tempted by some of the saturated colour trends. Saturated colours are those deep, rich, jewel-like tones. They’re a bold choice, but you don’t have to go all-in to liven up your space with some bright colours. Our tips can help you get started.

Choosing Your Colours

Start by choosing a colour that will make you happy. People often make the mistake of selecting a colour based on design trends or liking it in someone else’s home, but if the colour doesn’t make your heart sing, you’ll be disappointed with the results. This is especially true when you’re picking a bold colour. 

You can easily live with a shade of beige that’s not your favourite because you can dress it up with accessories in colours you do like, but bold colours stand out too much for this.

Once you have a general idea of the colour you like, have a professional decorator help you pick just the right shade. He or she will help you make sure that your furniture won’t clash and that the lighting in your home doesn’t change the hue of the colour you select. Our designQ design centre is just the place to be for this kind of guidance!

Start Small

If you’re not sure that the saturated colour trend is right for you, consider starting with a smaller room, like a half-bathroom. Rooms like this aren’t as big of a commitment, so you can easily change things back if you decide you don’t like it. 

Alternatively, kids tend to be more open to the idea of bold shades so you may have luck talking them into taking the plunge. Your kids will love their bedroom designs, but you won’t have to look at it on a regular basis if you think it’s too loud.

Use an Accent Piece

One of the best ways to incorporate saturated colour is by using a large accent piece in the colour you want while keeping the walls and other décor a neutral colour. For instance, you might have a deep red sofa with light grey walls or a large piece of art that features your favourite colour. These pieces can be an investment, but they won’t overpower the space. They’ll just make it feel a bit brighter.

Add Some Pops of Colour

Using bright colours in smaller accessories is another good way to make your rooms feel lively without taking a daring approach to colour on the walls. Consider throw pillows, end tables, centrepieces, or other decorative items that have your favourite colour. If you have shelves, it’s fun to paint the inside of the shelves in your colour so just a touch peeks out. A little bit can go a long way.

Saturated Colours on the Walls

If you think you might be ready for a big statement, it’s time to think about putting some saturated colours on the walls. Remember that painting walls a dark colour can make the room feel smaller, so think about the space you have and the feeling you want to create. 

For instance, bright yellow or orange walls might look great in a kitchen design, but navy blue would feel out of place. A dark blue can look great on the walls of your master bedroom, though. Painting an accent wall is a good way to get the best of both worlds. You get the happy feeling of having a bright colour on the walls without creating a heavy atmosphere in the room.

Toning It Down

Bold colours are fantastic, but if you overuse them, the room can feel too extreme. The key to making the look work is to find some balance. If the walls in your kitchen are bright orange, the countertops and cabinetry should be neutral. If the bold colour is on the living room walls, the furniture should be grey, white, or beige. Many designers recommend using three main colours with a 60-30-10 balance. If you’re using the saturated colour at 60 percent, the other two colours you use should be lighter or more neutral. A good designer can help you make your interior design decisions.

Your home should bring you joy, and there’s no doubt that incorporating some bright, bold colours can help you achieve that feeling. Give them a try and see how uplifted you feel.