If you’re looking for creative ways to bring color to your home in small doses, consider an accent color to give your space an extra pop. Read on for an explanation of accent colors, how to pick them, and tips for styling them in your home for a space that feels curated and colorful.

What Is an Accent Color?

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An accent color is a color outside of your dominant color palette that is used in small amounts to create visual interest, depth, and contrast. An accent color is typically the brightest color in a color scheme and is meant to pop against a neutral background, giving your space a dimensional feel. In interior design, accent colors can be used to highlight specific architectural elements or pieces of furniture to create a unique but visually balanced feel in a room. Too many accent colors can cause your space to feel cluttered and chaotic, but when used sparingly and styled intentionally, they can have a dramatic design effect.

How to Choose Accent Colors

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When choosing accent colors, you’ll want to consider the base colors of your room, the style of the space, and your desired ambience. Look at the current color scheme in your space and consider pulling an accent color from the details of your artwork or area rug so it feels cohesive with your existing decor. Depending on your current color palette, you can also use a color wheel to find a contrasting color that will pop against the rest of your room.

You should also factor in the interior design style of your room when choosing an accent color. Muted accents work best for traditional and farmhouse homes, while a boho or modern space is better suited for bold, vibrant accent colors. No matter the style of your space, you want to choose an accent color that speaks to your personal taste. Look for colors that bring you joy, feel inspiring, and make your house feel like a home.

Tip!

Learn more about the basics of color theory and formulating a balanced color scheme in our guide Color Palette Ideas for Living Rooms, Bedrooms & More.

How to Decorate With Accent Colors

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A general rule of thumb for creating a balanced color scheme is the 60-30-10 ratio. 60% of your room should be your dominant color, 30% is a secondary color, and the remaining 10% is an accent color. The purpose of this rule is to create a harmonious but dimensional visual effect in your space. Here are some ways to incorporate your accent colors:

Upbeat Upholstery

If you want to make a bold statement, choose a piece of upholstered furniture to replace with your accent color. In a large living room, a brightly colored sofa would be a visual focal point, but may be too much for a smaller room. Opt for an accent chair for a similarly striking design impact suitable for a smaller space or budget.

Throw Pillows & Blankets

Throw pillows and blankets are a simple and budget-friendly way to add accent colors to your room. When added to a neutral color palette, a brightly colored throw can add dimension and character to your space. The best part – you can easily swap them out when your style changes or you want to try a new color.

Intentional Decor

Although decorative accents may be small, they play an important role in interior decorating. Whether you choose a tabletop sculpture, some colorful pottery, or decorative storage pieces, incorporating small hints of your accent color throughout the room can be a game changer.

Wall Art

Artwork can be a helpful way to introduce accent colors to your home while ensuring they feel cohesive with the rest of your space. Choose artwork with multiple colors and select your accents from there. Or, opt for solid-color artwork that shows off an accent color you’ve already selected.

Layered Lighting

Lighting is often overlooked as an avenue for incorporating accent colors. Choose a table lamp with a colorful base to serve as a functional decorative accent in any room. Or get creative and bring some color to your walls with a pair of unexpected wall sconces.

Patterned Wallpaper

Patterned wallpaper can tie your accent colors in with the rest of your color scheme. To ensure you maintain the balance of your space, choose a small wall or alcove for wallpaper. If your personal style changes frequently or you want to try out a new color, opt for peel-and-stick wallpaper that can easily be removed.

Tip!

Ready to start adding accent colors to your space? Check out our guide How to Add Color to a Room for styling tips to get you started.

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