Decorate with throw pillows for a pop of color.

Color plays a critical role in the design process. With color, you can capture a mood, highlight a special area, or make a bland room or patio more vibrant and welcoming. Adding color is also an easy way to update a space without having to make drastic changes or spend a lot of money. Get inspired by your favorite colors and try these ways to add them to your home.

Create an Accent Wall

For a big color impact without a major commitment, create an accent wall. Ideal for living rooms, dining rooms, and family rooms, accent walls add dramatic color or design to a “feature” wall that should look different than any other wall. When creating your accent wall, don’t shy away from bold colors. With the right accents strategically placed around the room, you can create a cohesive color scheme that pulls the space together.

Add Colorful Throw Pillows

Throw pillows are an easy and inexpensive way to add splashes of color and texture to couches, chairs, benches, and beds. When choosing throw pillows for a room, stick to one main color, and then choose patterned pillows that use this color. For example, you may have one solid yellow pillow as your inspiration. You may then choose a white pillow with yellow polka dots and a gray pillow with yellow flowers.

Hang Vibrant Artwork

Hang colorful artwork on your walls for instant pizzazz. As traditional framed art can be expensive, consider making your own artwork. Grab a paintbrush and a blank canvas from your local craft supply store and get to work. Have a piece of beautiful fabric lying around your house from an old project? Stretch it over a frame to create a quick and easy piece of colorful art for your wall.

Incorporate Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers or plants are a simple way to add color to a room. Best of all, the flowers can be changed each week for a new look. Opt for a diverse bouquet of colorful blossoms, or keep it simple by choosing a few long-stemmed red roses or pink peonies. You can save money by using fresh flowers from your garden or purchasing fake silk flowers.

Give New Life to Old Furniture

Dark furniture can make a room feel small and gloomy. A fresh coat of paint can instantly transform a piece of furniture while adding a colorful statement piece to a room. Repainting an old or ugly piece of furniture is also good for the environment, as it prevents the piece from ending up in a landfill. To ensure a professional finish, be sure to sand and prime wood furniture before painting.

Change the Drapes

Window treatments are available in a wide selection of fun colors and patterns. Transform the look of a room by switching out your current drapes for more vibrant panels. Opt for a color that contrasts with the paint on the walls so that the curtains stand out. Complementary colors are those opposite each other on the color wheel. For instance, if your walls are a muted yellow, opt for purple-toned curtains or solid-colored curtains with purple detailing.