How a Little Pop of Color Can Go a Long Way

“Color is the least expensive thing to put in a house.”

-Ruthie Sommers

Is there a wall or room in your home that is just “missing” something? Are you hesitant to go all out and paint the entire space? Luckily, you don’t have to paint an entire room for it to make a big impact. Heck, you don’t even have to use paint at all!

I have compiled a few ideas that are perfect for those renting, flirting with the idea of adding a pop of color, or anyone stuck inside with some leftover paint. In our case, we currently rent and therefore don’t want to invest the time or money (or risk ticking off our landlord!) to paint the entire house as I wish I could. Instead, I have added a few strategic pops of color around our home to add interest and dimension to each room without the long-term commitment.

// COLOR BLOCKING + SHAPES

Whether it’s the bottom of the wall, the top, halves or thirds, across the ceiling or an asymmetrical pattern- color blocking is an awesome way to create a bold focal point in any room. Don’t be afraid to #gobigorgohome. Think bold, bright and brave when it comes to color blocking.

A circle painted behind a headboard showcases not only it, but the entire bed.
Benjamin Moore in Caribbean Teal

Mirror disappearing against a white wall? Paint a contrasting shape behind it to really allow it to pop!
Behr in Midnight in the Tropics

Painting halfway up across an entire wall lets the furniture and overhanging art pop without as much paint, time or commitment.
Benjamin Moore in Dragonfly

// PAINTING A CASED OPENING

One of my favorite ways of creating an unexpected pop of color is by painting a cased opening. All it takes is a sample or even some leftover paint that will tie-in with another area of your home and act an as immediate conversation piece.

Add an unexpected pop of color inside a cased opening with a bright hue.
Benjamin Moore in Dragonfly

// WAINSCOTING

Our landlord generally has a rule that if the new tenants like something we have done, it can stay. (He was our landlord at our last house as well and this has already worked out in my favor!) Thus during the Spring 2019 One Room Challenge, I decided I just absolutely HAD to have wainscoting in the dining room. We somewhat temporarily installed some using two trim nails in each board; enough to keep them secured to the wall, but easy enough to remove if the new tenants are not fans. The best part? It only took one afternoon to complete and could easily be moved to a future home.

// ACCENT WALLS

A tried and true method for adding color to any space, and one where design “magic” often works in our favor. Depending on the view point of the room, accent walls can give the illusion that the entire room is painted that color, or at the least, create a wonderful showcase for a window, built-in shelving, a fireplace, or bed.

// WALLPAPER

Okay, talk about a tried and true method for adding color! After the Chinese invented paper, they started glueing rice paper onto their walls as early as 200 B.C. 🤯 Fast forward about 2,000 years, when peel + stick wallpaper gets invented. While some still opt for the real deal, peel + stick is an excellent option once again for those experimenting, working with a budget, renting, or those that like to switch things up yearly or move frequently. A fraction of the cost of authentic wallaper, not to mention something that can be DIY’d in an afternoon, and without having to hire a professional. RoomMates Decor has so many wonderful styles, color options and is perfectly priced- I have used them multiple times in our home!

It has even held up wonderfully in our master bath!
RoomMates Decor “Batik Tropical Leaf” in Blue

Using peel + stick wallpaper is also a great way to line the back of a bookshelf or built-in for an extra surprise element.
RoomMates Decor “Batik Tropical Leaf” in Beige

// TAPESTRIES

Before you immediately think of tie dye and The Grateful Dead, let me explain. Tapestries have been used for centuries as a juncture between wallpaper and textiles. They offer something tangible that still takes up a lot of real estate, and are incredibly easy to both put up and take down, move to a different location or even use as a bedspread.