Barring any weird weather patterns, now that it’s mid-April, most of us should be seeing signs of spring outside.  Buds opening, plants sprouting, grass needs mowing.  And we want our homes to reflect the new, fresher, brighter colors that we’re seeing outside.  Whether you’re ready for a complete makeover or just a spot of color, these colorful rooms will surely inspire you.

Use Color in Your Home Decorating

Do you have a bland room but no budget for art?  Pick up a few quarts of paint (look for returned colors that are marked down) and be brave.  It’s only paint.

This complementary scheme of violet and yellow (opposite sides of the color wheel) makes for a fresh, springy room (nice mix of patterns too!).

Shades of pink paired with sunny yellow would brighten any breakfast nook. 

This giant art (wallpaper, maybe?) inspired the color for the room.  Clearly you don’t need such huge art to pull your inspiration color ideas from it, but it’s fun to see what you could do. 

The reliable and affordable answer to add a dash of color:  toss pillows.  I like the two sizes used here and though they are a bit perfectly matched for me, they are the perfect spring touch to this monochromatic room. 

A somewhat formal room brightened with the Pantone color of the year, honeysuckle.  A monochromatic room like this would be very easy to accessorize seasonally – change the art and a few pillows and you could embrace any season or color trend. 

Choose an architectural element and make it a feature by adding color.

Here’s another neutral room that is benefitting from the addition of spring-colored pillows and accessories.

Add color by bringing your most colorful dishes out of the cupboards and displaying them on a countertop or up above the cabinets. 

Add Color Outside Too

Start your outdoor paint project now and you’ll have enticing chairs ready for you when the weather is warm enough.  Use simple stencil designs to add a personal touch to your patio wicker or rattan furniture.

Use an old picnic bench (or whatever) and make an easy slipcover then add the mixed pattern pillows to create porch appeal.  (I’ve been writing about mixing patterns – you can catch up by reading here or here and see the new article tomorrow.) 

Try color underfoot on your deck or rough patio by adding an outdoor rug (specially treated to handle the weather).  Doesn’t this deck look like a party waiting to happen?

Join the Spring Color Fling

Let’s all embrace spring by changing up something in our homes and adding a little extra color oomph somewhere.  Where in your home is just crying out for a little new color?