Accent Colors: What is the Best Way to Add POP?

To accent or not? That is the question. The last few years have been stressful for sure – as people have lost money with their biggest investment, home improvements have stalled. But as we have stayed the course and broken through the worst part, it's time to do those updates and love our homes again.

Remodeling of the kitchen and outdated bathrooms have been very busy this year, which is a great thing for contractors, and a surge in our local economies.

But people want to be cautious; they don't want to overspend on improvements that they may not get back, but at the same time they want to enjoy their homes again.

Creating or recreating that space that you love can be most assuredly be achieved through color. If you can't do anything else, paint can give you a fresh new look, and not break the bank. 

The accent wall is back. Within reason, right? No. You can add a new fresh color – it's just paint! If it makes you happy, do it. My clients know that I do err on the side of practical with paint, because of my real estate and home staging background, so I am never going to steer them wrong. There are ways to accent that won't chop up the space too much, and still give you that extra something. 

 For example:

• Accenting with a darker or brighter version as the rest of the walls (staying in the color family, just go further down the strip). This will give you a subtle POP, but not stray too far away from the rest of the space.
• No, not burgundy or hunter green. (Showing my age, I know.) Now, it's teal and coral. These colors are gorgeous. It's a bolder look, but really makes a statement
• How about an accent wall with wallpaper?  Like a grass cloth, a tone-on-tone damask, or a geometric pattern.
• Why not a  texture paint like a Ralph Lauren suede or River Rock? (Just be careful with plasters – this may not appeal to everyone, and can be hard to change.)

Color or texture can give your space a new look, add a fresh new outlook on things and create a starting point to fall in love with your home again.