How to decorate with 2016's trendiest colours

For those seeking ways to freshen up their home, it would be difficult to miss the hype around colour trends for 2016.

While there’s an increasing shift to soft pastels and neutrals in the home, to offer calm and an escape from our busy lifestyles, there’s also a movement towards vibrant hues, which speak of tropical places and add a fun punch to interiors.

When introducing seasonal colours into the home, concentrate on what effect a hue has in the space (and on you), how it looks in certain light, and if you’re after a full transformation or simply want to add accents to an existing scheme.

Here’s a round-up of colours on this year’s spectrum, and suggestions of how to bring them into your home.

BLUE

Blue is such a versatile colour, ranging from the tranquil shades of sky and water to the bright shades of travel destinations at the sea.

The Pantone Colour Institute (which is viewed as a world authority on colour trend forecasting) chose Serenity Blue as one of its colours of the year. “It’s weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation, even in turbulent times,” says the institute.

Locally, Plascon took a bolder approach to blue. It named Atlantic Beach as its colour of 2016, a vivid shade inspired by “the coastal energy of Brazil”, host of the Olympic Games later this year. Rich, and slightly theatrical, this type of electric blue can leave a lasting impression.

How to decorate with blue:

Pale blues are suited to areas of calm in the home, such as bedrooms and bathrooms. As they are soft and unobtrusive, they can be used for larger spaces, such as walls.

Bright blue can be dramatic, so it works well with gilt and dark furniture, which won’t be lost under its impact, and creates a sophisticated ambience. As it’s a stimulating colour, consider electric blue as a statement wall in a dining area or even a study, or use it in small doses, such as an occasional chair for interest in a living area. Alternatively, pair with white and light wood, which tone down its boldness and conjure up feelings of being at the ocean.

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YELLOW

Yellow can work in a variety of ways. Earthy, subtle tones, such as Dulux’s colour of the year, Monarch Gold (see below), are reminiscent of vintage glamour, and continue the trend of incorporating metallic elements in the home. It pairs equally well with pastels, for a soft and inviting effect, or jewel hues, including brick red, dark green and navy, for old-world elegance.

Brighter buttercup and sunshine shades have the feel-good factor, and can bring a space to life with their positive associations, such as summer holidays.

How to decorate with yellow:

As yellow can be quite a forceful colour, use it to your advantage to bring in warmth and energy, and to highlight other colours in the room. Consider dark gold tones on walls, shelving or chairs to complement heirloom furniture pieces and the patina of older metallic accessories.

Bright yellow shades please the eye when contrasted with grey and dark blue, working well in a living area, home office or bedroom. To uplift a scheme, use bright yellow sparingly in smaller details, such as scatter cushions, throws and vases in a lounge.

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PINK

Rose Quartz (see below) was Pantone’s other choice for 2016. A warm, but soft pink that “conveys compassion and a sense of composure”, the institute believes it has a soothing presence, particularly when paired with Serenity Blue. This dusty pink proves popular, as, although it may be romantic, it’s not overly girly, and can act as a gentle, neutral backdrop.

Back to the tropics, with the flamingo, watermelon and hibiscus in current print trends, those seeking something brighter and bolder can find hot pink combined with verdant greens and electric blue.

How to decorate with pink:

Similarly to pale blue, blush pink is perfect for restful spaces in the home, including bedrooms, bathrooms and even living rooms. Start small with muted pink linen and other soft furnishings, or paint a whole surface area in the colour for a welcoming feel. For a luxurious look, combine it with on-trend metallics in warmer tones, such as rose gold, brass and copper, and keep the palette limited to grey and natural hues, which tie in with the popular Scandinavian style of sophisticated simplicity.

Aside from the most obvious choice of placing cheerful cerise pink in children’s rooms, use it as an accent colour in entertainment spaces, especially outdoors.