Quick and Easy Tips for Busting Colour Myths

Category: Top Tips

Quick and Easy Tips for
Busting Colour Myths

Jen Devaney

Colour Consultant

Back to Experts Blog

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Decorating with colour seems to come with many "rules" or myths on what not to do. I am going to break some of these rules and show how, in fact, it can enhance and elevate your spaces.

Myth: Dark colours make a room feel smaller

The Truth:

Dark colours can actually add depth and cosiness to rooms, as deep colours on the walls blur boundaries, making the space feel larger. In smaller rooms, there's generally less natural light; therefore darker colours that need less light to shine, create the feeling of a strong space that feels bigger than it really is.

How to Break It:

Use a dark shade in smaller rooms like a downstairs toilet or a home office for an intimate, luxurious feel. Pair it with contrasting lighter colours or metallics for furniture and accessories to balance the look, or keep it dark for full on moody vibes.

Myth: Ceilings should always be white

The Truth:

Painting the ceiling a colour other than white elevates a room's design and changes it to cosy proportions. Dark or bold colours can make a high ceiling feel lower, while soft pastels create a beautiful touch of warmth.

How to Break It:

Try pastel colours for a calming effect, or match the ceiling to the walls, known as colour drenching for a seamless and dramatic appearance.

Myth: You can't mix warm and cool colours

The Truth:

Warm and cool tones create a dynamic and balanced look when paired with thought. The contrast will add energy and gives a space more dimension. Nature uses both in her palette with total success!

How to Break It:

Combine a warm yellow or orange with a cool sage green for an earthy, harmonious feel. You can layer neutrals with accessories to bridge the gap between warm and cool tones.

Myth: Bold colours are too overwhelming

The Truth:

Bold colours, when used correctly, energise a space and adds the all-important "feelings" without being overpowering. Look at each colour as a personality then integrate it in your space. The key to success with bold colours, is balance and placement.

How to Break It:

Use bold colours as accents or features on the wall or ceiling, or balance them with neutrals and natural materials. For example, a bright teal sofa can pop against a neutral beige wall. 

Myth: Neutral colours are safe and always work

The Truth:

Too many neutrals in one place can make a space feel a bit sterile or lacking personality. By adding layers of texture and subtle colour contrasts it will create warmth and interest.

How to Break It:

Introduce depth with different shades of the same neutral, or add a bold colour accent in soft furnishings or accessories for contrast.

Myth: You should stick to trends

The Truth:

Your personal style is timeless. Trends can help guide you to new ideas and colours but use them as a reference point not a destination. Colours you love, tailored to the properties of your space will always work better than what’s currently fashionable.

How to Break It:

Choose colours that make you feel good. Your home is the backdrop for your story and those living in it. Whether it's a calming sage or a vibrant coral or both together, it is the expression of your personality that is the true secret of interior design.

Breaking these so-called "rules" allows you to design spaces that reflect your personality and enhance your lifestyle and home. The best rule?

Trust your instincts and have fun experimenting with colour!

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