Many of us think of colour in terms of what we like and don't like. We may not even be aware that colours can actually have an effect on how we are feeling. For example, intense colours such as red can make us feel anxious or over-stimulated, which would make them unsuitable for a bedroom. Cooler colours, such as blue can make us feel calm and relaxed but can also feel too cold, depending on the shade used. Given this surprising information, it's easy to see that colour can play a significant role in the sale of your home. You don't want to chase potential buyers out the door. Consider these suggestions for using colour psychology to make the right statement when marketing your home.
Yellow
Yellow is a bright and cheerful colour but it is best used in smaller areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. When it is used in larger rooms as the overall colour scheme it can be agitating to some people. Choose the appropriate shade of yellow from a colour psychology chart to ensure that it has the right feel for your space.
Blue
This is a very popular colour due to its tendency to make people feel calm and relaxed. Blue comes in many different shades and works well in any room but light blues can have a cold feel to them, so be sure to use them in a room with warm coloured furnishings and accessories. Warm, soft blues are a great colour psychology option.
Brown
As one of the neutral colours, brown is soothing and gives a cozy feel. Lighter shades of brown make a less stark contrast colour than white and they work well with brighter colours too. Consider the lighter shades on the colour psychology chart when painting smaller rooms to give a more expansive feel to the room.
Grey
Grey is another neutral colour that works in a similar manner to brown, in that it looks great with most other colours. Grey is very popular at the moment. There are many shades to choose from and they range from warm tones to a more industrial, cool look. The warmer tones tend to create a cozy and more welcoming feel, which is an important consideration in preparing your home to sell. You'll have lots to choose from on the colour psychology chart.
Green
Green is considered to be one of the most restful colours to the eye. Because green has a link to trees, plants and grass it is associated with nature, which can create a relaxed state. As with other colours, there are many shades on the colour psychology chart from bright, fresh spring greens to more serene dark greens.
Our homes should be a reflection of who we are and what makes us happy... no matter how wild and crazy it might seem to others. But when you are preparing to sell your home it's important to remember that we are all different. You can't predict what a potential buyer will like so take the safe route and use soothing neutral colors that will allow buyers to visualize the way in which they might best use the space for themselves.
Thus, colour psychology can influence your mood and also attract a higher price when you sell.
Matt emulsionis smooth, velvety and helps to hide imperfections on less-than-perfect walls.
Flat matt emulsion is even more velvety and because matt surfaces don't reflect light, they make all colours look as similar as they can be in very different light conditions. Flat matt works wonders on deeper shades, too.
Satin and Silk are 'mid-sheen' finishes, which means they look like a slightly polished surface and reflect a bit of light. Silk is a finish associated with walls and satin for woodwork. You can wipe silk wall finishes easily which makes them very practical but if you have less-than-perfect walls, all the lumps and bumps may show up a bit more. A satin finish on woodwork helps to hide imperfections and gives colour a softer appearance.
Eggshell has less of a sheen than silk or satin and it does look like the surface of an eggshell (the clue's in the name). It sits somewhere between matt and a silk finish and gives a beautiful classic look to woodwork – and can also be used on walls when you want a heritage style look with a tough finish.
Gloss is a shiny finish designed for woodwork and it reflects lots of light – so is perfect for paler colours. You have to have a great surface to make it look its best, but it is hugely practical and adds a lovely contrast to walls that are painted in a matt.
It may be cold and snowing outside, but it’s a whole different story indoors. What’s the best way to create a warm atmosphere in your home? With wood-inspired wallpaper, of course! These designs will transform the room, making it seem like you’re sitting in a cosy cabin.
Faux finish wallpapers have been extremely popular throughout the year, whether it’s concrete wallpaper murals or contemporary white brick patterns. With wood in particular, the diversity of the designs you’ll find means there’s something for everyone.
As with many faux finish wallpapers, some feature an aged effect that makes it look “old,” while others are more contemporary and look absolutely pristine. For this selection, the large-scale wooden design features a stained panelling effect, giving it an aged appearance that is completely on-trend.
The swirling mix of brown and beige colors makes for a visually dynamic wallpaper pattern that is sure to be eye-catching. With a high degree of details outlining the “wooden” surface, it even rivals the photorealistic nature of wallpaper murals! The darker brown shades work to create a sophisticated and luxurious atmosphere, perfect for use as a living room or dining room wallpaper.
While this wallpaper also features some aged effects, the lighter beige and brown colors give it a more contemporary, lightweight feel. Lighter colors help to make a space feel more open, and this wood wallpaper would be an excellent choice for rooms that get a lot of natural light, such as a living room or bedroom.
Herringbone patterns add a lot of energy and dimension to the walls with its repetitive angled design. Since many wood-themed wallpaper feature linear patterns, this herringbone wood wallpaper has quickly become one of our favorites. We can’t wait to see what other patterns make the translation to wallpaper.
4. AN ESCAPE ACROSS THE WORLD
If you didn’t travel anywhere in 2016, don’t worry. You can still end the year off by doing just that! Wallpaper murals are transformative décor items that can change the ambiance of a room immediately.
London Streets M9071 (pictured above in black and white)
Fancy a trip to London? This London Streets wallpaper mural replicates the vibrant city centre, complete with bustling intersections and historic architecture. Available in black and white, sepia, or full color, the amount of details in a wallpaper mural is on full display.
Used as a feature wall in a living room or bedroom, this urban wallpaper mural adds a contemporary touch to your space. Like putting up a work of art on your walls, wallpaper murals are meant to be the center of attention.
Take Me Away M9215
If ultra modern isn’t the look you want and an old school vibe is what you’re after, this one is just for you. Take Me Away is a wallpaper mural featuring hot air balloons and an inspirational quote (which can be removed due to wallpaper murals being highly customizable). The aged etching on the surface and taupe color scheme gives it an authentic, vintage appearance.
What catches our attention with this wallpaper mural is the careful balance between simplicity and intricate details. The scratches and weathered effect gives the wallpaper mural a high degree of details that makes it stand out whenever someone enters the room. On the other hand, the faint landscape at the bottom and the two hot air balloons contrasts with the background.
3. A CUTTING EDGE MINIMALIST DESIGN
Sometimes, less is more. Some of our newest favorites features minimalist design that is both contemporary and elegant. What we love best about this trend is how it emphasizes simplicity but never at the sake of quality or inspired designs and artwork. Check out our top two picks!
Painted Tree Silhouette Wallpaper Black and Beige R4692
For a fun take on the traditional floral category, this minimalist wallpaper features repeated tree silhouettes that’s sure to catch the eye of nature-loving interior designers everywhere. The black trees sit on a solid light beige background, which is part of what gives this wallpaper its minimalist look. Though it’s a bit hard to see in the image above, the trees also have a hand painted look. The black shades aren’t solid, but have a watercolor aesthetic that gives it a really creative appearance.
Often times, nature-inspired wallpaper tends to have bright, vibrant colors and complex patterns. However, this one is perfect for those who want something simpler, yet still contemporary and fresh.
Leaf Outline Abstract Wallpaper White and Black R4691
Mimicking the stylized outlines found in comics and graphic novels, this minimalist wallpaper features a thick canopy of leaves in black and white. The abstract aesthetics makes this wallpaper a great choice for interior designers who want to create a playful, original, and creative atmosphere.
Whether used as a feature wall in a bedroom or all walls in a kitchen, the intricacy of the leaf patterns helps to create a sense of dimension. While the colors may be simplistic, the repeated lines and leaf placement works to boost the energy in the room.
2. AN INVIGORATING LARGE-SCALE PATTERN
One thing about large-scale patterns you should keep in mind is that they command attention. The moment your guests walk into the room, their eyes will travel directly to your wallpaper. Here are our two favourite large-scale patterned wallpapers for the #2 winter wallpaper trend!
Jungle Leaf Floral Wallpaper Taupe & Grey R4699
Another nature-themed wallpaper pick! (That itself could be its own trend and its popularity is rivalling that of faux finish wallpapers). The floral wallpaper category is getting to be quite diverse these days, especially with the addition of this gorgeous jungle leaf pattern. Featured above in taupe, beige, and grey colors, this wallpaper adds a touch of nature to any room while using neutral colors that allow it flexibility in terms of usage.
Large-scale patterns are best used on large walls in order to get the full effect of the design. That being said, spaces such as dining rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms are excellent areas to showcase wallpapers like these.
Ceramic Floral Tiles Wallpaper White and Grey R4673
For a more traditional and classic look, this large-scale patterned wallpaper features ceramic tiles with floral motifs. The neutral color palette makes it really versatile, letting it be used in many spaces regardless of the room’s established color scheme.
Mixing together faux finish, floral, and geometric wallpaper categories, this large-scale design is truly unique. Depending on the room’s décor and furniture items, this wallpaper can help accentuate a space’s elegant look or bolster its contemporary appeal.
1. AN INDUSTRIAL-CHIC ATMOSPHERE
Last but definitely not least, the #1 trend this winter 2016/2017 is an industrial-chic feel for your space. The best way to achieve this look is to use wallpaper that looks grungy, but not the same “weathered” or “aged” look at the was discussed above.
Concrete Cloudy Abstract Wallpaper Light Taupe and Eggshell Blue R4670Concrete Cloudy Abstract Wallpaper Beige and Metallic Silver R4671
Featuring a mix of colors in different beautiful variants, this faux finish wallpaper is a more stylized take on the traditional concrete wallpaper category. It’s much more abstract and details of concrete elements are used less in favor of a stronger grunge look.
Concrete Cloudy Abstract Wallpaper Muddy Taupe and Metallic Blue R4668Concrete Cloudy Abstract Wallpaper Grey and Black R4667
Some patterns in this series also feature metallic colors that subtly reflect the light. Using metallic wallpaper, particularly gold and silver, is a style that’s on the rise so be sure to keep an eye out for that as well!
Weathered Tiles Geometric Wallpaper Grey Blue and Taupe R4696
Featuring photorealistic tiles, this wallpaper blends faux finish and geometric patterns into one high-end look. Like the previous example, this wallpaper also features a mix of colors that intermingle, creating a brushed, artistic look. The grey-blue and taupe colors feature that distinctive grunge look that gives this design an industrial feel.
With its contemporary appeal, this wallpaper would look right at home in a home office, kitchen, or bathroom. Installing tiles is a messy and time-consuming job, but a wallpaper that uses “paste the wall” technology can achieve the same high-end look at a fraction of the time, effort, and cost.
A mood board is one of the essential parts of creating a successful interior design scheme. It's an essential tool when you are planning to decorate for yourself. Designers who have a very strong mood board and presentation usually have the most successful end results as they are the best prepared.
The reason to invest time creating a mood board is simple- thrash out your ideas and find out what works and what doesn’t on paper before you flex that credit card. It can save you a world of pain and expense! It will also make the whole project less daunting as you will be empowered to keep your design on track. For example if your eye gets diverted by a bargain, you can check it against your mood board and if it doesn’t fit the scheme, don’t buy it!
Where to start? I always think it’s a good idea to start with a concept board- this is where you get really free and can add any image to your board, not just swatches or pictures of to-die-for rooms. Use fashion images, architecture, wildlife, art, whatever you’re drawn to. This can really help you to tap into your personal style and taste that you can then translate into your interior schemes. For example if you love tribal prints in your wardrobe, chances are it could work in your interior too.
The whole point of a mood board is not to get too fixed, so tear pages from magazines and catalogues, print images off the web and gather lots of fabric, wallpaper and flooring swatches. Keep it loose so you can add things as easily as take them away. A large sheet of cardboard and sticky tape is as good as it needs to be.
Here are my five top tips to creating a successful mood board:
Use a large swatch for paint, wallpaper or flooring- as they represent a large area in the room. You can then layer up images on top of these.
Where possible get a real sample; fabric swatch for the sofa, tester pot for the paint, samples for flooring and fabrics. You’ll be matching these swatches so they need to be true colour representations.
Include accessories on your board as these often add the personal touch or theme to your scheme for example ‘Coastal’, ‘Deco’ or ‘Vintage’.
After you’ve established the colour story think of a definite accent colour that you can pick out to highlight and lift the overall look. This might be used in accessories, cushions, a rug or ornaments.
Make sure your board represents the textures in your scheme, be it mirror, metallics, raw linen, rope or cut glass. Texture is a really key way of bringing a scheme to life.
Don’t just rely on Google images and website grabs for your mood board. Also take snaps of things you like with your phone while you’re out and about.
Make sure that your choice of furniture, paints and fabrics work well together
Mood board
1. Gather your materials
Gather together all your decorating ideas, any inspiring images, fabric swatches and wallpaper samples and create a storyboard on an A3-size piece of plain card or in a large, plain notebook.
2. Choose your base colour
Whether it’s flooring or a wall colour, this represents the largest area of colour in your room, so it’s important to add a large sample of it to your moodboard. Adding carpet samples helps you think about texture, too.
3. Add an accent
This is an important decision. Do you go for a dramatic contrast, or an accent just a few tones away from your base colour?
Use your moodboard to play around with options and layer up the board with swatches and scraps.
4. Create mood with accessories
These will really set the tone for your decorating scheme – go for accessories which share a vibrant accent colour (say, blue, as here) and stick to a single theme; maybe vintage, or country or eastern. Don’t get carried away and mix up different styles, or your scheme will end up looking messy rather than eclectic.
MPU 01 Desktop
MPU 01 Mobile
Paint and wallpaper
Group paint colours with wallpaper and flooring samples.
Fabric and furniture
Pin fabric swatches nearby and paste on photos of any new furniture.
Curtains and accessories
Include curtain fabric and pictures of new accessories cut from catalogues.
Adding the final stages to your moodboard
Look at the moodboard with fresh eyes a few days later to be sure that you’ll be creating the look you want. If you’re happy, move a stage further and paint tester pots onto the walls.
Then move around the room and look at colours in different lights as paint colours appear to change in daylight and artificial light. If you’re happy with your choices at this point, then you’re ready to put your ideas into place.
White and wood kitchens are among the hot home design trends for 2017, according to Houzz.
Houzz, a popular interior design website, reviewed posts by its 40 million users as well as data from the interior design products industry to identify home trends they expect to be at the forefront this year.
According to Houzz, expect to see these trends in homes:
• Pendant lights moving from the kitchen to the bedroom: Hanging pendant lights above your bed or nightstand frees up space previously occupied by a table lamp.
• A mix of white and wood in the kitchen: White is the current favorite for kitchen cabinets and backsplashes, but homeowners and interior designers have been adding in wood accents to warm up the space.
• Walls of tile in the kitchen: While tile backsplashes have become ubiquitous in kitchens, for a more dramatic look, designers and homeowners have been extending tiles all the way to the ceiling.
[App helps you visualize potential new furnishings in your home before buying]
• Snazzier bar stools: Maybe it’s because this can be a relatively inexpensive way to give a kitchen a modern look without renovating the entire space, but contemporary style bar stools are a top purchase on Houzz.
• Laundry rooms getting more attention: The days of doing laundry in a dank basement are over, at least for homeowners who can afford to spruce up their space. Homeowners are adding light to their laundry rooms as well as more storage and functional space.
• Bathroom vanities created from unique objects: Vanities created from antique chests of drawers, file cabinets and vintage cabinets offer a unique style for your bathroom.
When it comes to home décor, 2016 was the year of everything from woven wall hangings to Scandinavian-inspired interiors. And as the year winds down, soon enough your thoughts will most likely wander to a home refresh. So it’s worth exploring the top decorating trends that will likely be on repeat in homes across the country—and possibly in your own abode.
We checked in with three interior designers—Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Young Huh, and Beth Diana Smith—for their 2017 decorating forecast and some easy pointers on how to make them your own. These trends are chic, inspiring, and (fortunately) don’t require a complete room overhaul.
Green According to celebrity interior designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, who counts Kendall Jenner among his list of clients, green is “strong again.” From lime green to emerald, the hue works throughout the home—whether it’s as a wall color or a room-filling rug. If you’re not too keen on the idea of using green in large doses, Lawrence-Bullard has a suggestion: “Add really fun emerald glasses to your regular white plates and suddenly you’ve got that up-to-the minute look.”
Tropical Prints It’s no secret that interior design takes cues from the runways, and this year, we’ve seen the likes of Marc Jacobs, Prada, and Emanuel Ungaro experiment with all things tropical. The print will continue to appear in wallpaper and designer fabrics, according to Lawrence-Bullard. But don’t worry if such in-your-face prints are out of character for you. He suggests throw pillows boasting the trendy pattern: “Always buy a plain sofa and change it up with new pillows,” Lawrence-Bullard advises. “It’s just like buying a great piece of classic clothing. You can certainly refresh it with a new bag and shoes.”
Texture Weaving texture into an interior makes it more inviting and the idea of mixing fabrics and materials will be on the rise. “Texture is really important,” says Lawrence-Bullard. “We are seeing more and more texture in every form, from brushed brass tables to light fixtures to fabrics and wallpapers.” A quick way to test the trend: Drape a nubby wool throw over a leather chair or mix fabrics used for decorative pillows.
Marble and Brass Combinations Young Huh, who was named one of Vogue’s five young interior designers on the rise in 2015, promises marble and brass will continue to dominate in 2017. “We’re going to see this trend in both kitchens and baths,” Huh explains. “It’s that combination of something very natural and clean, like white marble, and something industrial, hard, and a little bit glamorous with the brass.”
Muted Colors Does the thought of bold colors anywhere in your home make you feel a tinge of anxiety? Don’t fret—it’s all about neutrals in the year ahead. “Whites, beiges, pale grays, camel, and blush pink are super on-trend,” Huh says.
Geometrics Your goal should always be to create a home that feels curated, and an easy way to accomplish this is through pattern. “We’ll see inventive geometrics that speak to ancient cultures, whether it is African or Asian patterns, but they’ll be modernized,” Huh says. Think simple lines, geometric designs, and triangles, Huh explains.
Quirky Lighting Think of lighting as an accessory for your home—it’s the perfect way to show off your unique design sensibility. “A quirky lighting fixture looks great in a dining room,” Huh says. “It’s a great space to go for it and do something unusual.” Also consider sprucing up your bedside lamps with something truly memorable.
Artisan-Crafted Furniture For New Jersey–based interior designer Beth Diana Smith, the new year will include an emphasis on uniquely crafted furniture. “People will be going back to furniture that is more of an investment—furniture that is very well-made,” Smith says. She recommends antique shopping for pieces that will add character to your home and browsing sites like Chairish.
Gray Gray was a prominent color in 2016 interiors and it will continue to reign in 2017. “We will see different tones of gray, a lot of gray and white, and gray in deeper colors,” Smith says. It’s the sort of color that complements a full spectrum of shades, from bold red to mellow ivory.
Bronze Smith promises that 2017 will bring loads of bronze—a metal that warms up any space. “It’s a lot more classic in a sense,” she says, as it complements a myriad of decorating styles. “I like it in lighting and accessories, whether it be vases, lamps, or decorative bowls for the kitchen,” Smith says.
After many requests I now have a resource page on my website where you can find all e-books I have written along with a useful decorating planner.
The planner is A4 size and can be printed off to record all details of a decorating project, including pages for tradesmen, inspiration, favourite shops and for saving paint and wallpaper samples.
