6 creative ways interior designers work color into neutral

1. PAINT ABOVE EYE LEVEL

A simple way to add strong contrast to a room, without overpowering

Photo: Neptune

As it’s not immediately noticeable, the accent color will draw the eye up for a visual surprise,’ says George Miller, home designer, Neptune(opens in new tab).

This can have particularly good results in rooms with taller ceilings or grand cornicing, accentuating either feature to great effect.

2. TAKE AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH

Stepping outside your comfort zone with a vibrant color will secure its place in the spotlight

Photo: HÁM Interiors

The bright range cooker pulls the eye through the kitchen, past the bulky fridge-freezer, and provides a playful touch that feels young and modern.

3. UNITED FRONT

Carrying an accent color across the floor can help a large open-plan kitchen feel cohesively connected from every angle.

Photo: Blakes London

Using warm red on the pantries that frame the fireplace lifts the whole elevation to be more than just a period fireplace.

In isolation, the pantries could have overpowered but the custom-colored floor tiles play an anchoring role that unites them with the rest of the kitchen.

4. ADD UNEXPECTED INTEREST

Control the color in your kitchen to suit your mood, consider painting inside cabinets with solid doors.

Photo: Harvey Jones / Darren Chung

Strong colors are highly emotional but designing with them in a controlled manner ensures they liven up the overall feel of the room instead of overpowering it.

Choose an uplifting shade that will put a smile on your face every time you open the doors.

5. BE SUBTLE WITH COLOR ADDITIONS

Accent colors are supplementary shades that often contrast the primary colors with the aim of dialling up the drama – just a little.

Photo: Tamsin Johnson Interiors

In a stronger shade, the arresting mid-century pendant light by Gio Ponti would have stolen too much attention from the sculptural Arabescato marble island below, which is absolutely the star of the show.

But in delicate pale green, the vintage glass fitting plays a balancing role that softens the hard angles of the island and lends a harmonizing, feminine touch.

6. PAINT THE INTERIOR OF A CABINET

A really effective way to add a touch of personality to your kitchen

Photo: Siobhan Doran / Naked Kitchens

If you really want to celebrate your favorite color, go for clear glass and let the color sing.

The breezy blue used here only accounts for 10% of the kitchen’s overall color palette but its eye-level placement and vibrancy ensure the color goes much further.

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