Add a splash of colour – no paintbrush required

Big decorating projects are satisfying once all the hard work and upheaval is over, but you don’t have to go all out to give your home a refresh. If you’re a home owner looking for a quick makeover or a renter who’s not allowed to paint, try these colour boosters to transform any room in next to no time.

Being decisive about your colour scheme is a great place to start. If you’re living in the land of neutral, listen to your gut – what colours would you like to see more of? What feels right? If the room already has an established colour on the walls or in the form of a carpet, build on that, adding accessories in shades from the same family. Alternatively head in the opposite direction using a complementary shade as a bold accent. 

Check out what the boldest decorators are up to on Pinterest and Instagram – it will help establish your likes and dislikes as well as being a great start for a moodboard. Once you’ve found a combo that works, run with it, adding touches across all types of accessories from cushions to table lamps. ‘Working to a set of colours helps to keep things considered and brings a stylish look to a space,’ says Sarah O’Sullivan, Partner & Designer, Home Design Studio.

Sarah knows a thing or two about colour. Each season she works with the team at John Lewis & Partners to add new shades to the home collections. ‘Over the past few years, we’ve seen a bolder choice of colour in pieces such as side tables, dining chairs and lighting,’ she says. ‘It’s an easy way to work in more colour to the home.’

For instant results, start with the large expanses, using new bed linen, rugs or curtains to enact big changes. Our eyes are drawn to the light from a window so blinds and curtains can be one of the first points of focus. ‘Switch plain curtains for ones in a bold print or install a colourful roller blind,’ suggests Medina Grillo, blogger and author of Home Sweet Rented Home.

In a rental, look for the same headings as the existing curtains, then store the originals in a safe place and put back when you move on. If ready-made curtains are too long, leave them to pool on the floor. If you do need to shorten them, turn a double hem so they can be easily altered to fit future windows.

The mood of a bedroom is simple to change with new bed linen – there is a great choice at great prices in the ANYDAY brand. Layer up with throws and cushions and never underestimate the effect of coloured bed sheets and pillowcases. ‘When renting, you’re less likely to have a bright colour on the walls, so it’s easier to make patterned bedlinen work,’ says Sarah. ‘Like anything you buy for your home, choose things that reflect your own personal decorating style and you can’t go wrong.’

The more immersive you can be with colour, the bolder the effect will be, and a rug can help here. ‘Plain flooring can be brought to life by adding a patterned statement rug or two,’ says interiors stylist Kate Baxter, who blogs at Fabric Of My Life. ‘It’s also a good way to tone down a patterned carpet,’ adds Medina. In open spaces, use rugs to define zones. ‘Place one under your coffee table and arrange your TV and sofa accordingly, then use another in a different colour or shape under your dining table to create the illusion of a separate dining space,’ says Kate.

‘Landlords generally play it safe when it comes to sofa colour,’ says Sarah. ‘If you want to add colour, an accent chair is a much more attainable hit for renters – it’s then simple to add interest with cushions and throws.’ Kate Baxter agrees. ‘Smaller pieces of furniture in a vibrant shade such as a side table or pouffe will add personality, plus they are easy to switch from room to room, or from rental to rental,’ she says.

When it comes to accessories, have fun with colour. ‘Go to town with cushions, wall art, plates, vases and flowers,’ suggests Medina. ‘They’re the easiest way to inject colour and personality into a room.’

Try out unusual colour combinations. Old sayings such as ‘blue and green should never be seen’ don’t necessarily hold true. You can play with that clash by choosing similar tones or looking for a common thread – above it’s a blue-green and greeny-blue. If in doubt, look to the natural world – mother nature rarely gets it wrong.