Transforming a living space from boring to brilliant can be achieved quite simply – all you have to do is choose the right bold paint colour.

But how do you know which is the right one for your home? Well, for starters, have you ever flipped through a paint fan? You’ve probably seen some striking colours that you thought were too over-the-top for your taste. When used sparingly, however, those daring colours can do wonders in making a room really stand out.

The Majorca Green (124F) wall of the stairwell provides a central point of focus amidst the bright neutrals of this home.

Location

As they say in the housing industry, everything comes down to location, location, location. When it comes to selecting bold colours, this is especially true. You can either paint an accent wall or an entire room with a bold colour. You can also pick feature elements like fireplaces, bulkheads or ceilings to showcase bold paint. Regardless, make sure you find a spot that will instantly grab people’s attention. For example, if you’re painting a wall, the best wall is the first one people see when they enter the space.

Selection

When choosing an accent paint, you need to like the general colour or hue you are going with. So, for instance, if you are not a fan of red, do not select a brick shade to paint your bedroom wall. You can look to colour trends for inspiration, but do not use them if they won’t make you feel happy and proud of your room.    

Add a spicy sizzle to a room with Red Chili (236G). While it contrasts with the other neutral walls and furniture, it complements the hardwood flooring seamlessly in this contemporary space.

Style

Every living area has a style and feel to it, so when it comes to adding a bold colour, it needs to work with the surrounding décor. So, if you have a traditional space with dark woods and warm lighting, you will not want to pair it with a bright lime green, but rather a dark navy blue. However, if your space is more industrial looking with metal cabinets and glass shelving, a warm orange would provide an exciting pop of colour. Be aware that all colours will elicit an emotional response: red for passion, yellow for happiness, blue for calm, etc.

Contrast

You will need to decide how much contrast you want with your accent paint. Contrast determines whether a colour will seamlessly blend versus pop with the other colours and elements in the space. If your other elements are all light coloured, then there will be a stark contrast by simply selecting a dark colour. You can still choose an accent colour that does not have a strong contrast to the overall paint of the room, but it will provide a more subtle effect.  

Dark colours don’t always have to feel cool. Cambridge (401G) is a warm, luxurious colour that creates a calming environment and is featured more prominently by the large windows and white trim.

Value

With any colour you choose, you need to determine the colour value, or shade, to go with. Colour value refers to the lightness or darkness of a given colour. Purple is a great bold colour, for instance. So will it be a light mauve or dark royal purple that you are planning to paint the bathroom?

Finalization

Colour is very much impacted by other elements around it, so it’s important to narrow down the selections to your top two to three options and then try them out. You can usually purchase large colour chips, sample paint pots or small cans for trial tests. Paint is great in that it is the cheapest way to change a room – so if you get the colour wrong do not stress, just try again. Also remember to look at your paint sample at different times of the day under various lighting conditions. You don’t want to love the colour only until sunset when a pink tone shows up.       

Don’t be scared of colour – embrace it! Nature would be boring without colour, so take charge and bring your favourite colour into your home. Be bold!