Easy Budget Decorating: White Walls - No Problem

So you're sick, sick, sick of white walls? But hold on now, don't over react. Going bold doesn’t have to mean slathering your walls in bright hues. First ask yourself, “Why have I put up with these pale pigments for so long?” Have you been playing safe because you're afraid to make a color choice? Or do you live in and apartment and the landlord says that's the way it's going to be?

Body

So you're sick, sick, sick of white walls? But hold on now, don't over react. Going bold doesn’t have to mean slathering your walls in bright hues. First ask yourself, “Why have I put up with these pale pigments for so long?” Have you been playing safe because you're afraid to make a color choice? Or do you live in and apartment and the landlord says that's the way it's going to be?

Neutral Is Good

Either way, let's put a positive spin on it. Neutral walls and furniture can be a blessing, allowing you to change accessories whenever you like, easily and inexpensively. In a large room with white walls, an over-sized bookcase offers the opportunity for burst of any color you want. Paint the bookshelves white to match the walls, which makes the contents of the shelving prominent.

Bright fabrics lining the backs of some niches can hide lower shelving for those less-than-decorative items; paint or graphic wallpapers provide punches of color for the upper shelves.

If you find yourself wanting to change colors often, you are the perfect person to stay with white, beige or gray walls and furniture. If you're stuck for color inspiration, check your closet. What colors do you seem to gravitate to? Those are your favorites this season. To try them in your home, take a favorite print that has several colors to store with you and begin buying throw pillows, vases, boxes and other accessories in these colors. You can flit to a different bouquet of flowers next season, without spending a bunch of money,

More On Pillows & Throws

A love seat or low bench offers a perch for decorative pillows, orange and fuchsia perhaps. Add a deep pink rug, and a hot pink throw spread on the neutral-colored sofa. The joyous color palette around the room will encourage the pale furnishings to play along.

Give light walls and flooring a spark by choosing chair upholstery in cobalt blue, or another bright color that is repeated. This is a great trick for infusing apartments and rental homes with more color.

Arrangement

Arrangement is important as well. When your eye scans the room these colors should balance. If you've gotten adventurous with a sea mist blue accent wall, it should be repeated on the around the room as well. Your eye should jump to that color in art on the wall to a pillow on the furniture to something in the rug, all in different parts of the room, “balancing” the color throughout the room.

The Nursery

Color tastes and trends change often. It's nice to have flexibility to make the changes quick and easy. Opt for an all-white scheme for bedding, walls, and furniture. Swap out a rug, the coverlet, pillows or throw on the bed. All are easy enough to change and will make it seem like you have a new room every season. Use a yard of fabric to add a shot of color and pattern to a headboard.

What's Next

Which room do you want to tackle next? Use this same process in choosing a color scheme and your entire home will be coordinated ... and soothing to your soul.