Whether it’s Canada Day, St. Patrick’s Day or the holiday season, the bold hues that are synonymous with these events add a splash of colour to rooms that can use a little design lift.
While some colours may be synonymous with certain times of year, homeowners can employ bold colours in their homes all year long. By embracing bold painting and decorating styles, homeowners can use fresh colour palettes to make rooms more inviting and colourful. These popular colour combinations can provide inspiration.
Green and pink
Colours on opposite ends of the colour wheel will always complement each other. Green paired with pink (a lighter shade of green’s opposite, red) calls to mind the great outdoors. These hues can add a touch of floral spring sunshine even when that season has long since passed. Opt for a deep green and a carnation pink for maximum impact. And don’t forget a vase full of fresh blooms as the finishing factor.
Lavender and deep blue
Analogous colours are three colours that sit side-by-side on the colour wheel and share a common denominator in terms of shade. Lavender, blue and an orchid pink are examples of such hues. This cool, regal combination can add femininity to a bedroom or even drama to another space in the house. If painting the walls dark blue or lavender seems scary, opt for a neutral shade on walls and then dress up the space with inky and violet accents.
Turquoise and brick red
Enhance the “wow” factor with these bold colours. Although they are striking, when they work together, they also can impart a soothing feel, particularly since they are often inspired by Asian influences. Feature a light turquoise sofa with red throw pillows. Or dress up meals with a red tablecloth on the dining table and turquoise, white and red, patterned place mats.
Gray and yellow
Yellow is a pick-me-up colour any time of the year, but, when combined with a gray, it’s toned down to be soothing instead of startling. This colour combination is popular in kitchens, nurseries and entryways. Have fun in the kitchen with mottled gray stone countertops, pale yellow walls and canary café curtains.
Colour can affect mood and transform spaces with just a small investment of time and money. Homeowners can experiment with colour palettes so rooms remain vibrant all year long
Did You Know?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there are no safe levels of lead. Lead is particularly harmful to children’s health. Exposure to lead can stunt children’s growth while also contributing to behavioral and learning problems. Anemia, reduced growth of fetuses in pregnant women, cardiovascular effects, and reproductive problems also are side effects of lead exposure. Many people once came into contact with lead via lead-based paints, which have been banned in the United States for consumer use since 1978. But lead also can be lurking in water supplies. The EPA says that between 10 and 20 per cent of instances of lead exposure can be traced to contaminated water. Homes built before 1986 are the biggest risk factors for lead plumbing. As of January 2014, all newly installed water fixtures, pipes and fittings must meet new lead-free requirements. But within the United States, public water suppliers and existing homes do not need to retrofit. The National Drinking Water Advisory Council found around 7.3 million lead service lines currently deliver water to customers. Homeowners can request testing through their local water supplier or conduct certified home tests.
Check out Lifestyles Fall Home and Garden online for more
