Now that I know you’re with me on the prettiness—but lack of livability—of white interiors, I figured it was high time for a post on just how to surround yourself with more color. Today, Apartment Therapy kicks off our list of little ways to inject color with their post on gorgeous, jewel-toned doorknobs. Who says the only doorknobs in your house have to be solid and brass (or, if you’re like me, solid and stainless steel and ugly)? I love the way the above knobs reflect the sunlight and are such an easy (and relatively cheap) change we can all make. (For a little bit of info on what to look for when you’re shopping for a vintage doorknob, click here.) And, after the jump, nine more easy ideas.
- DIY trim. One interior designer’s trick for adding color to a room (and creating a “custom” look)? Adding trim to plain white curtains and lampshades. All you need is pretty ribbon or trim and fabric glue. I usually line the top and bottom of a lampshade (or just the bottom) and run ribbon along the inner vertical side of a curtain panel. A little color for very few dollars.
- Got blah roller shades? Paint ‘em! Just remove your shade from the window and lay it down on a flat surface. (You may have to use a weighted object to prevent the roll from rolling back up.) Get yourself some acrylic paint and go to town. You can do a solid wash of color or go geometric with it—I love me a zig-zag!
- Switch out your dresser knobs. Anthropologie has great, vintage-inspired options to jazz up any set of drawers—and they don’t cost much either!
- Paint the inner panels of your doors. Every room needs an accent color. By painting the separate door panels you make your cheapie door look a bit more posh. Be sure you take the time to tape off the panels for an expert finish.
- Upgrade your light switch plates! The options are endless on Etsy. How about trying these zebra print plates on for size?
- Buy cheap, colorful flowers. Stick them artfully into a pretty glass or bowl. Instant color.
- Decorate with bright pillows. They don’t have to be John Robshaw expensive—I love these from Design Public. Or these super-affordable ones from Etsy.
- Don’t ignore your dining room or kitchen table. Consider pretty placemats/napkins/table runners. I adore the always brightly-colored Marimekko line of table accessories.
- Paint the inside bits of your bookcases. There’s something so fresh about a dramatic color peeking out from behind your books—either paint the back wall or your bookcase or, if you really want to go for it, wallpaper it in a bold paper.
