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Livingetc
Livingetc
Tessa Pearson

9 Ways to Bring Bright Color Into Your Living Room That Feel Chic, Not Jolting, According to Designers

Bright yellow living room.

Given the amount of color and pattern making their way into interiors, even the most devout minimalists among us might find themselves prone to maximalist leanings of late. If brighter shades aren’t your usual go to when it comes to decorating, it can feel daunting trying to work out how best to inject some stronger color into your home. The living space is a great place to start, particularly if you steer clear of investment pieces, such as a new sofa or expensive art. A lick of paint can always be updated if you feel unsure about the color choice, as can smaller or more affordable accessories, such as soft furnishings. 

Another thing to remember is that all shades are intensified when placed against a pure-white backdrop. ‘Rather than adding bright colors into a white space, which will make every color in the room that much louder, try starting with a tonal base,’ recommends New York interior designer Becky Carter. ‘This allows you to work with stronger colors in a more controlled way.’ Becky’s advice extends to ceilings, too: ‘Paint the ceiling! A white ceiling makes all the other colors in the room feel more intense. Painting the ceiling the same color, or a lighter version of the wall color, helps the brighter shades settle in more.’

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