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Unleash the Power of Color and Pattern

I have a confession to make – I’m completely smitten with the designers’ bold and vibrant use of color and pattern this season. From upholstered furnishings to eye-catching accents, the home decor world is ablaze with exciting hues like coral, turquoise, and marigold, accompanied by contemporary and geometric patterns that are as invigorating as sunshine. If you, like me, are drawn to these delicious colors and patterns but aren’t sure how to incorporate them into your home, fear not! Weaving color and pattern into any style of home is easier than you might think.

Harness the Power of the Color Wheel

One of the keys to successfully working with bold color and pattern is to have a solid plan in place. As the talented designer Rich at Nell Hills explains, it’s all about harnessing the power of the color wheel you learned about in art class. By using the color wheel as a guide to create a harmonious color palette for your room, you can ensure that your vibrant hues and patterns work together seamlessly, rather than creating a chaotic explosion of color.

Balance is the Name of the Game

Of course, even with a well-thought-out color scheme, it’s important to strike the right balance between bold and overwhelming. As Rich advises, if you’re going with a colorful upholstery, opt for a neutral wall color, and vice versa. Bring in the wall color through accessories and accents, creating a cohesive, yet visually interesting space.

The family room that Rich designed for one of Nell Hills’ color-loving customers is a perfect example of this balance in action. The walls were painted a warm, soothing white to counterbalance the room’s vibrant palette of navy, turquoise, aqua, salmon, green, and yellow. The sofas were covered in a strong navy fabric, then livened up with an array of accent pillows in a variety of patterns and hues. The coffee table ottoman, covered in a grass-green burlap-like fabric, added yet another pop of color to the mix.

Start Small and Build Your Confidence

If the thought of diving headfirst into a room full of bold color and pattern makes your palms a little sweaty, Rich suggests starting small. Even a tiny splash of a vibrant hue, like a turquoise, apple green, or yellow vase or cachepot, can have a big impact in a room. Toss a patterned pillow onto a chair or sofa, and see how it energizes the space. You can always build from there, gradually adding more color and pattern as you become more comfortable with the look.

Embrace the Power of Paint

One of the easiest and most impactful ways to bring color into your home is through paint. As Rich points out, wall paint is relatively inexpensive, and if you end up regretting your decision, you can always cover it up with a more subdued color. In the home that Rich helped design, the owner wanted to transform the dated oak paneling in the family room. By covering the built-in bookcases and molding with a high-gloss, grass-green lacquer, the room was instantly elevated and infused with a playful, contemporary vibe.

Seasonal Experimentation

Sometimes, the best way to test out a bold new look is to approach it as a temporary, seasonal change. As the designer shares, she normally likes to keep her living room decor light and simple in the summer, with a palette of crisp navy, cream, and white. But this year, she’s planning to liven things up by adding some vibrant coral, marigold, and turquoise accents, like the inexpensive pottery pieces carried at Nell Hills. By mixing and matching ready-made accent pillows in contemporary fabrics with her custom-made traditional pillows, she’s able to create a fresh, colorful look that she can easily swap out come fall.

Experiment in Unseen Spaces

If you’re feeling a bit hesitant about diving into bold color and pattern in one of the most visible rooms in your home, the designer suggests starting with a less-frequented space, like a guest bedroom. Layer in lovely colors and interesting patterns through the bedding, creating a vibrant oasis that’s all your own.

Bring in Colorful Furnishings

Another fantastic way to incorporate color and pattern into your decor is through upholstered furniture. As the designer shares, covering an ottoman or side chair in a fresh, geometric fabric can instantly make it the vibrant focal point of a room. And right now, she’s loving the idea of traditional chairs, like wingbacks, covered in reinvented botanical fabrics – a fresh twist on an old favorite that features large, playful images of flora and fauna.

Window and Floor Treatments: The Finishing Touches

You can also bring color and pattern into a space through your window and floor treatments. The designer is a huge fan of curtain panels that feature a relaxed, pinch-pleat hem, falling just to the floor. And while the design of the window treatment may be simple, the color or pattern of the fabric can make all the difference. Additionally, she’s never been afraid to mix a variety of colored and patterned area rugs together in a room, creating an interesting patchwork effect.