Uplifting colour ideas for Spring 2022                                                         

We are delighted to welcome Sally Cullen, Interiors Editor at You Magazine to our blog this month to inspire you with lots of creative ways to bring this season's colours into your home. 
 

Colour in all it's life-affirming shades has always been a huge passion of mine. Exploring colour, the way it can change how we feel and the impact it has on our homes has been the driving force behind my success as an interiors stylist. I want to bring that joy to everyone's space, whether they are drawn to vivid brights or enjoy soothing, muted tones; there is a colour out there for everyone!

Pastel Power
Let me debunk a few pastel myths for you; number one, pastels needn't be subdued and number two, pastels aren't necessarily feminine colours. You can power-up your pastels by choosing deep, juicy pastel shades and combining them with colours of the same depth to create a pastel punch. If committing to one shade feels too restrictive then layering different intensities of the same colour together will provide impact; you can even create an ombre effect for instant feature wall.

Finish Matters
Exploring different paint colours isn't the only way you can change the look and feel of your space. The finish of a paint also has a huge impact on the overall atmosphere. For example, painting elements such as skirting boards, door architraves, fireplaces or even radiators in the same finish as your wall paint give the illusion of additional wall space. While paints with a soft sheen finish, like eggshell or semi-gloss, will reflect the light and create a feeling of space in your room.

Spring Greens
There has been a huge shift in the way we live in our homes over the last few years which has resulted in fascination with Biophilia - that's connecting with nature to you and me. In fact our preoccupation with house plants and all things green can also be seen in the variety of green paint we are choosing to use in our homes. There are hundreds of shades to choose from rich bluey emeralds to soft, natural olive tones. To ensure you get your dream green, always use a tester pot before you paint and look at how the light in your home impacts the colour. Even large furnishings in strong shades such as sofas or welsh dressers can cast colour onto your wall - so test first, paint later!

Acid Brights
For me, colour is about experimenting with what makes you happy and having fun! It seems the rest of the industry agrees as Spring/Summer 22 has seen fashion and homeware retailers play with bold colours and clashing colour combinations. If painting a whole wall in a strong shade is a step too scary there are plenty of ways to add bold colour choices into your home. Adding colour to the insides of cupboards is a fun, surprising way to indulge a love of colour while surfaces like door frames, the tops of shelves or even a picture rail lend themselves to pops of unexpected colour and will add a playful element to your room. 

Timeless Tones
The concept of home as a retreat isn't new, but it certainly is enduring as many of us seek solace in the comfort of our homes.  Creating calm and soothing spaces means selecting peaceful paint tones in natural shades such as oatmeal, buttermilk and soft grey. Give your eyes a natural place to rest with visuals tricks such split tones walls and enjoy being cocooned in comfort.