FORGET BLUE, DECORATE WITH ONE OF THE COOL-KID COLOURS THIS SPRING
Blue might be the colour of the year in 2020, but green remains a perennial decorating favourite. Green, in all its glorious variations, is one of the mostseen colours in nature and that makes it easier to work with when decorating. Just look to the natural world for inspiration on the many shades of green and how to use them in your decor. In the desert, for instance, greens tend to be cooler grey-based; in lush, tropical climates, green has a warmer, yellow base. This year, the tone of green that’s popular is a cooler, greyer green, best described as olive or aloe green. Whether decorating with this popular colour as an overall or as an accent, it’s easy to go green with this colour trend by following my “sage” advice.
IN SMALLER SPACES
Washing a room with many tones (light and dark versions of the same colour) of green creates a monochromatic scheme, creating a space that’s cohesive and unified — all the elements needed to make a small space feel larger. For modern impact, paint the baseboards, walls, window trims and crown mouldings all the same colour. Layering various tones of green on large furnishings will allow those pieces to visually disappear, creating the illusion of a less-cramped space. If decorating a room with a cool northern exposure, veer toward a warmer version of green than cool.
IN LARGER SPACES
Using green only on the walls makes the colour stand alone as a neutral decorating element. Existing white or wood mouldings will frame your new trend colour and help to visually fill the larger space. If you have caramel or pale grey walls now, you can easily update your space by painting the walls. In most cases, you can keep your existing furnishings and other decor items that went with the caramel and greys. To help make a large space feel cosy, add contrasting colours to the room with patterned fabrics, rugs, art and pillows. Deep red-brown, or burnished gold or purple tones always look great with olive colours.
CITY OR COUNTRY STYLE?
Although the new cool leafy colour might seem like a modern colour option, it’s easily incorporated into traditional decor schemes, too. Here are a few ways to use it.
■ For a more casual, country look, add the new green with warmer neutral colours like caramel, rust or brown. If painting your walls green, keep trims white or wood.
■ For a moody, modern style, team it with soft millennial pink, deep grey or navy blue. The cool, dusty green will offer a neutral accent colour in the room.
■ Olive green is a great colour to replace classic white home accessories such as bedding, towels and table linens, as it will blend into almost every decor scheme.
Do you have a decor dilemma or want to give feedback? You can contact Karl on Facebook at Karl Lohnes Designer.
Karl has worked as a home decor expert and product designer for 25 years.
Just look to the natural world for inspiration on the many shades of green and how to use them ...