MAKE A SPLASH
CREATE DRAMA WITH BOLD PAINT COLORS
Painting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a space. Many homeowners are not hesitant to use bold shades of color when they learn the right techniques, and because paint is an inexpensive option for making over a room, homeowners who find they do not like a particular color can easily repaint.
“The biggest challenge I have is people who want to go with bold colors, but they also want to be prepared for style changes in the future,” said John Schaeffer, owner of The Granite Shop in Russellville. “Paint, you can change a dozen times, but cabinets, countertops, floor coverings — that’s a one-time deal most of the time.”
Paint colors can dramatically change the mood and design of a home, and depending on the homeowner’s goals, paint can make a statement or blend into the background. Many people are now looking to bold colors to make spaces stand out, but choosing a paint color can be challenging.
Homeowners looking to update walls and complement may want to look at some of the more impactful colors that Pantone indicates will be popular in 2017, such as primrose yellow, lapis blue, flame, pink yarrow and greenery. Once colors are selected, consider these guidelines for using bold colors in room designs.
Decide how big an impact you want to make.
Are you looking for color overload or just a small focal point of vivid color? Remember, using bold color doesn’t mean every wall must be lathered in that hue. Instead, select one wall to serve as an accent point, and use that spot as your bold color display. Otherwise, rely on bold colors to dress up otherwise mundane areas, such as the back wall of a cupboard or moldings and trim.
Try bold in a small space.
Many people are surprised at how well bold colors work in small spaces. Powder rooms can be an ideal spot to experiment with paint colors. Try deep colors that can make the area seem intimate and even
exotic. Dark, bold hues can be toned down by different accents, such as neutral-colored fixtures and towels.
Go bold in the kitchen.
When incorporating statement colors in the kitchen, it is best to keep bold tones on items that can easily be replaced or repainted. Cathy Chapman-Boyd, coowner of Chapman’s Marble, Cabinets and Flooring in Morrilton, said that although brightly colored countertops are available, most people stick to neutrals so they can easily update their kitchens without remodeling. Gray in the kitchen is a current trend, she added, and gray paint-grade cabinets can easily be repainted as styles change.
Try walls or backsplashes in a bright shade, or paint the inside of cabinet doors in your favorite color and install glass inserts in the cabinet doors so that everyone gets a peek of the color beyond. A neutral kitchen can also be brightened up with the use of silverware, dishes, pots and pans, and other kitchenware in bold hues.
“If I were going real bold, I’d probably go with something really mild on the countertops, like a solid-colored quartz,” Schaeffer said. “That way, the focal point is the bright-colored walls and not a busy countertop.”
Stick to boldness on interchangeable items.
Those who like to experiment with color may find that they like to switch out the colors now and again. Instead of having to repaint every few months, use decorative items in bright shades to make swapping out color that much easier. For example, replace area rugs, throw pillows and draperies. Paint over terra cotta flower pots when the mood strikes.
“Keep the more expensive things or the things that are hard to change in a neutral color, and add the accents in a bright color,” Chapman-Boyd said, adding that towels, rugs and shower curtains can add splashes of color to bathrooms.
Establish balance.
Rely on neutral furniture, rugs, moldings and baseboards if you decide to take bold colors up a notch. This will help create a sense of balance in the room.
“You want to create one main focal area,” Schaeffer said. “You don’t want so many things going on that your eyes aren’t settling on one focal point.”