How To Add An Accent Color: My Newest Design Project
Color can be one of the trickiest things to work with in design – but also the most impactful. It can add interest, energy, or excitement. But how do you add an accent color without it feeling overwhelming or out of place? My newest project is a perfect example of how to utilize color in thoughtful and stylish ways throughout your home.
Part of the Tri Pointe Homes Context at Oakhurst community in Charlotte, North Carolina, this 1,400 square foot townhome brings in navy and orange tones through a variety of design elements. It’s not just about an accent wall – it’s also using an array of clever tricks for injecting color in subtle ways. And how can you do the same in your own space? Let’s take a look.
HOW TO ADD AN ACCENT COLOR
Select Saturated Fabrics
Curtains, pillows, and throws can also be saturated in accent colors. In this home, the deep blue curtains in the dining and living area really pop against the white walls, and an orange lamp shade is an unexpected pop. And while I usually advocate for more neutral upholstery, colorful seating (like the rust colored lounge chair in the music room shown below) can be a fun way to draw the eye and introduce color as well.
HOW TO ADD AN ACCENT COLOR
Add Tonal Artwork
Artwork is one of the easiest ways to incorporate an accent color in literally any room – and I did employ colorful art in every room of this house! From abstracted instrument photography in the living room, to deep blue abstract art in the dining room, to some indigo landscapes in the primary bedroom, the subject and medium options are aplenty.
1. Terracotta Table Vase | 2. Dytag Linen Curtains | 3. Clarity Framed Abstract Art | 4. Textured Rust Boucle Lumbar Pillow | 5. Dark Blue Throw Pillow | 6. Terrazzo Table Lamp | 7. Faux Poppy Stem | 8. Halifax Navy Throw | 9. Bridgette Rust Lounge Chair | 10. Orange Abstract Art | 11. Strauss Washable Denim Rug
HOW TO ADD AN ACCENT COLOR
Unique Paint Treatments
I’ve talked a lot about how you can utilize paint in unexpected, architectural, or graphic ways. And when it comes to an accent color, paint treatments are perfectly suited. You can opt for color blocking (like the powder room below) or try a more playful triangular design (as shown in the guest bedroom) for a bit more high impact.
