How to use colour in your home renovation
We work with a builder who laments that it is always paint colours that are the sticking point in a project’s progress, and often a cause of delays. It’s easy to see why, having the confidence to chose a palette and stick to it can be overwhelming! Plus there is an enormous range of ways to inject colour, from the full on “gung-ho” style to the subtle introduction of simple hues and tones to gently lift a space.
So how do you choose?
We were keen to embark on an investigative journey of colour to help YOU make your choice with confidence. As architects (who sadly can fall into the white house cliche rather often), we are in need of learning these lessons!
Read on to find out how you can be bold and use colour in your renovation!
1. Be bold and colour the outside
We start by plunging in at the deep end and looking at using colour in the built elements of your home: the windows and doors. Why is this the deep end? Because these elements are not easily changed and are usually with you for life! Saying that, we think these two examples by Office of S&M and nimtim architects show how just a little pop of colour can immediately add a modern twist to your new house extension.
*Top tip
Yellow is an extremely versatile colour, and is especially effective when used for frames or in small touches. When choosing colours for doors or windows, try to stay away from colours that are “on trend”. These will date quickly and have a very short shelf life.
2. Don't be afraid to colour the kitchen
A good way to introduce colour in your home can be in the very place everyone ends up congregating, the kitchen!
We love these two examples shown here: the first is by the furniture designer, interior architect and scenographer, Dries Otten who is known for his commitment to colour. We love how he layers up different materials, textures and colours so they work together, almost as a collage. What works extremely well in this example is the way he uses bright primary colours alongside a paler palette of light green, white tiles and the exposed birch ply cabinet doors. The overall effect is one of playfulness and balance.
The second example is by Reform, a company set up by Danish architects as an IKEA hack, and who are determined to provide extraordinary design at reasonable prices. But what we like about this example is how it proves you don’t have to use bold primary colours to create a bold colourful interior! It’s a kitchen that packs a punch but won’t hurt your eyes the morning after a night out.
*Top tip
If going for a block colour in the kitchen seems too scary, or you’re worried about being overpowered, a good solution is to go for one piece that is a big POP of colour like this incredible bright orange Lacanche Wide Range Cooker. It works well alongside the more traditional styled kitchen seen here.
3. Go for bold walls of colour
Now it’s time to get a bit radical! Often darker colours are seen as a big no-no when it comes to painting your walls, with Tom, Dick and Harry claiming it will make the space feel smaller, darker and claustrophobic. But in actual fact, it it can create incredibly beautiful and interesting spaces, and at no extra drain on the budget!
As seen in these two examples below, darker hues of blues and greens work really well with existing vintage or antique furniture and lighting pieces, using the upholstery colours in their furniture to enforce the overall aesthetic.
Just remember, you don’t need to just opt for plain block colours. Right now there are amazing examples of popping bold prints, hand printed murals and geometric wallpapers on the market. Take a look at some examples below and get inspired!
*Top tip
If you want to go for a bold palette, a good place to start experimenting is in the transitional spaces such as the stairwell or hallways that allows you to experience colour as you pass through, like in these examples below by Office S&M and Suzy Hoodless.
4. Make a splash in the bathroom
If you are treading the line between trepidatious and longing to go a little bit wild, then the bathroom is a good place to start! It’s a space that you use a lot (but usually not for lengthy periods of time) and it’s a space that your guests may also use, so it’s an area that can cope with a bit of the shock factor!
We thought these two bathrooms were great examples as the one by 2LG Studio uses a subtle light pink tile, but packs a punch by using it floor to ceiling. The other example (by us in our architecture hat), uses colour on the ceiling of the bathroom and in it’s jazzy patterned tiles. The rest of the bathroom is clean, minimal – and white!
5. Inject colour into your joinery
If by this point, you are quietly muttering under your breath “But I quite like white walls”, that’s ok! There are still plenty of ways to incorporate colour into your home, and it can still be bold and beautiful!
The use of colourful cupboard doors in integrated joinery has been gaining popularity. And we love it! It tends to pop up in the kitchen or in bedrooms and brings a sense of the “bespoke” and thoughtfulness to the overall space.
6. You can always add a little colour with your furniture
Lastly, if you are just feeling a weeny bit timid, never fear! You can use colour in your furniture. We love these two examples that show how colourful furniture can transform a room and can work with any style or period. Plus, it can always be changed. So, it may just be time to start up-cycling some of your old chairs!
As you can see, there is a myriad of ways to bring colour into your home and it can make your space feel unique and bespoke to you and your family. But, it takes A LOT of time and consideration to come to a final decision. Which is why we have also included a little four point guide to help you select your colours with confidence and minimise delays at the final stages of your project..
1. Choose er, white
Or at least a single colour throughout! This may sounds counter-intuitive, but this way you’re in no danger of slowing your contractors down and it will give you time to experience the spaces and contemplate the colours before making a commitment at a later date. Be careful though, it’s likely that after finishing your works you’ll be reluctant to do anything to your home for some time. You might end up with a minimalist white house by default for some years!
2. Choose your mood
Make a mood board, or several. It may seem a little over the top to start collaging your ‘look’ when you have a million and one other things to do, but just trying to imagine various colours or placing tiny swatches together isn’t going to help you to make a definitive decision. And this is where the potential for delay creeps in! Take images of spaces that you’ve seen on Pinterest, on paint companies websites or instagram that you like and print them out. If there are any other defining objects, paintings, furniture, flooring or even views through windows take pictures and make sure you add them to board. Playing around with different options and seeing the overall look will allow you to appreciate how your colour scheme is working together holistically and will help you lock down your decisions!
3. Choose a little help
If you’re not feeling inspired to create your own colour scheme but would like to use colour in your home then think about having a colour consultation. Both paint companies Little Green and Farrow and Ball offer a 1 hour service at your home to create colour schemes for 4 rooms in your home. The service costs £195 from either company and they will help you select colour schemes for your particular taste and home and lifestyle. They’ll then send you a written specification listing your chosen colours, designs and finishes and quantities. Farrow and Ball offer you a £50 discount if you purchase your paint with them.
4. Choose Sophie's colour workshop
If you want to take it to the next level then think about taking Sophie Robinson’s Colour Workshop. The workshop is aimed at homeowners and professionals alike and helps you to create a colour scheme that’s unique to you. Learn about the power of colour psychology and the technique of creating a mood board like a professional. If you’re a colour enthusiast, and like to use colour in other aspects of your life or work then this course might be just the thing to set you on a new path of discovery.
Our HomeNotes Journal is here to bring you clear and up-to-date information for homeowners renovating their homes. For more in-depth help we provide online courses to help you get started the right way!
21. Our takeaways: End of series round up
In this bonus episode we take a moment to look back on our third series and discuss favourite top takeaways from our lovely guests.
20. The ugly duckling: Transforming a 1960’s house
This week we speak to Camilla who’s renovation journey started during lockdown when she and her husband realised they needed more space for their growing family. After an initial dream of finding a period property they fell in love with a 1960’s property which needed a complete renovation.
19. The secret garden flat: self-build extension
This week we talk to Nic who, together with his partner, self-built a garden studio and extension to their 1 bedroom flat.We talk to him about his decision to take on a self-build project, the process they went through and what he would do differently next time.
18. A blank canvas: bringing a home to life
We talk to Tamzin who explains why, after renovating previous properties, she chose not to take on a big renovation for her current home.We discuss the joy of getting creative in your home, being savvy with up-cycling interiors and her process of turning a blank canvas into something special.
17. Unexpected discoveries: The cottage renovation
We talk to Hannah who is midway through renovating her thatched cottage in the countryside and the downsides of renovating an old property.
16. Grabbing an opportunity: developing a garden site
A serendipitous chain of events led Siobhan and Joe to quickly move from a finished flat straight into a building site with development potential.
15. Room by room: A DIY Renovation
We talk to Sharn about DIY renovating her Victorian property room by room. We discuss how both her partner skilled themselves up, and the power of making renovation transparent and accessible through social media.
14. Our takeaways: End of series round up
In this bonus episode, we round up the top tips we’ve learnt from the guests of this series of Stories from Site.
13. How communication can get you the home you envisage
This week we talk with Temi and Eugene about their process of creating the perfect home to suit their family life, both now and in the future.
12. What to do when your contractor becomes insolvent
We talk with Alex, a client from the early years of our architecture practice, who despite undertaken lots of preparation work to ensure the project ran smoothly, faced their contractor becoming insolvent just 6 weeks before completion.
11. Balancing home and garden: when retrofit meets design
This week we chat to Christian and Faye, an architect and garden designer who became each other’s clients when they decided to renovate a studio flat with a generous garden.
10. An eye for detail: And why you shouldn’t leave it all to chance
This week we talk with Jess who didn’t have the budget or even find the interior fittings she wanted, so set about making them herself.
9. Taking the leap to retrofit your home
This week we talk to Stewart who together with his wife Fiona relocated to make a forever home, only to begin on an epic retrofit journey.
8. Holding on to the vision when your builder disappears
We talk to Katie who started a loft extension only for her main contractor to disappeared after taking her roof off . . .
7. Our takeaways: End of series round up
In this bonus episode, Amy and Jane round up their takeaways and lessons leant from the first-ever series of Stories from Site.
6. Using your professional skills to make your forever home
We talk to Sandra who renovated a forever home for her retirement after downsizing.
Sandra had a really clear vision for the space she wanted to create and used her professional skills, coupled with some additional training, to create a stylish and social home for this next stage in her life.
5. ‘Doing it yourself’ to get the home you want
What started out as a necessity due to budget constraints became an expression of Jess’s passion for interiors and design. Showing if you can’t get someone to do it for you then you can do it for your self instead!
4. A joyful renovation: You just need the right people
We talk with Elesa and Steve who who found a run-down house that needed a complete back-to-brick renovation. They had the best experience renovating, and not a lot of people end up saying that! Find out the secret to their success in this week’s episode!
3. The self-finished renovation with Lydia from Fettle Studio
Today we’re chatting to Lydia about the extension and renovation of her one bedroom flat in London. Lydia is an architect and ceramicist with her own practice Fettle Studio. Together with her partner architect, Dan Ruddick, they wanted to wholeheartedly get involved in the build process.
2. Taking on the challenge of being a main contractor
We recently caught up with Nick and Dawn past clients of ours and reflected back on the project we did together. With some experience in construction project management, they took on the role of being the main contractor and employed separate trades to help them complete the works, all while juggling full-time jobs and having a baby.
