1. Know your Purpose – Bright colours are great for adding interest, creating drama and upping the energy in a space; but you have to be careful as not every room can handle the intensity. For example vibrant red paint is perfect in a dining room where you eat, converse and entertain but I would stay away from painting the entire bedroom red. Colours have their own energy and you will find a bright colour too busy and intense when you’re trying to relax. Go with a pale palette instead as they tend to be soothing and relaxing, perfect for a bedroom. You can still use bright accent pieces to add some spunk to the room.

2. Find a balance – Too much of one colour or tone can make you feel like you’re drowning in it. It’s important to look at your furniture, home accessories, rugs, drapes and anything else you have in the room and create a balance. So if you have a bleached wood dining room table with a light-coloured rug under it, stay away from painting the walls in a light colour. Choose a darker colour that compliments the paleness of the room and ties it all together.

3. Set the Mood – Determine the mood you want to set for the room. Is the space used primarily for entertaining friends or relaxing at the end of a hard day? Bright, vibrant colours are great in a space where you want a high energy vibe that will lead to engaging conversations. On the other hand, if you’re looking to curl with a book or glass of wine in your study or bedroom, pastels will help you create a serene and calming atmosphere.

4. Understand the Impact – We all know that the right colour can make a space look larger while the incorrect one can significantly shrink a room. Colour is a powerful tool when it comes to home decorating as it not only changes the size of the room but also the mood of the person in it. Red makes people alert while blue is more peaceful and calming. Every colour evokes a different emotion and although these associations are based on age, gender and ethnic backgrounds; there is no doubt that we all respond to colour.

5. Check the Lighting – Natural light can transform a colour and affect the overall feel of a room. The more natural light there is in a room the easier it is to introduce bright colours like reds or purples. If you end up picking an intense colour for a dimly lit space the end result can be quite claustrophobic. When you do have a colour in mind it’s essential that you bring home a swatch and hold it against the wall both in the day and at night. You will be surprised how different the same colour can look depending on the light coming in to the room.

I hope you feel a lot more confident about picking the right bright colour for your space. If you would like some more tips and tricks or just want to share your comments, please drop me a line.