Color Blocking: Making a Bold Statement at Home

Photo Credit: Pinterest

In recent years, color blocking has become a really popular technique using two or more solid colors in a room to create a bold visual statement. This simple idea has transcended art, fashion, and interior design, exuding drama with a clean style. While traditional color blocking involved two opposite hues, the definition has expanded to include any and all shades of the rainbow. 

We’ve used color block painting numerous times for clients who wanted a bit of extra flair in their spaces. Here are our favorite techniques to achieve wow-worthy rooms.

1.   Follow a Monochromatic Palette

Photo Credit: Paula Interiors

A monochromatic color scheme uses different tones, tints, and shades of a single hue. To use this scheme idea, start with the color that you would definitely like to use in the room. Now select another shade or two of that same color – they can be lighter or darker. Use that color in lightest shade for furnishings, then add the medium shade to pillows and accessories. This contrast creates much more interest than if the room was all the same hue.

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2.           Create an Accent Wall

Instead of painting all the walls in a room in the same color, consider having just one wall stand out as a focal point. This works particularly well in a smaller bedroom or living room where you have the largest piece of furniture against the wall – it creates a backdrop and actually makes the room feel larger. While one wall will feature a bold color, the other walls can be painted in a neutral shade, like off-white.

Photo Credit: ohjoy.com

We recently worked on color block painting a large master bedroom that featured a navy blue accent wall with gray paint on the other walls. As a finishing touch, we decided to bring in a patterned wallpaper for a cozy reading nook. Not only did this add dynamism to the space, but it brought together all the colors used in the room.

3.           Use Bold Complementary Hues

When you want to make the biggest impact with paint, don't be afraid to go bold with complementary colors. It’s best to start with one color you love and then consult a color wheel to find the hue that is the opposite. Some surprisingly beautiful combinations include pink/green and blue/orange. 

4.           Create Shapes with Paint

For clients who appreciate a bit of whimsy at home, color blocking in a geometric shape can add intrigue and style to their space. For example, one room painting idea is to create a large circle or archway of paint above a bed. This gives the appearance of an elegant frame and even works as a stand-in for a headboard. Other shapes like squares, lines, and triangles can work really well in children’s bedrooms and playrooms, bringing a bit of fun to their walls.

It’s important to remember that color block painting doesn’t stop with your walls. Integrating your chosen colors, whether in subtle or bold ways is essential to creating a cohesive room. While paint can always be changed, it’s best to get things right the first time so that you can start enjoying your room sooner. From furniture to home accents and wall paint, we work to create balanced spaces for our clients, blending function and form to achieve beautiful results.

For more cutting-edge tips and dashing designs, stay tuned to this blog and follow us on  Instagram here!

Talk to you soon,

Paula,