Elevated interiors, tailored for Chicago’s finest

Though a neutral color palette is timeless, classy and chic, the whites, grays and browns may make a space feel a little flat. Revitalize your home by adding the secret to a lively, interesting and creative design — a pop of color. Discover the best places to add just a touch of color to your home, keeping it looking and feeling fresh without going overboard. Why a Pop of Color Is a Designer’s Secret Weapon Home designers use color deliberately to reflect a home’s character, make it comfortable for the homeowners and inspire visual interest to draw attention to a focal point. Working with neutrals, the pop of color adds personality without overwhelming the space, creating just the right amount of visual appeal to add an intentional, unique flair. Color has a profound effect on people’s psyche, and designers can use this to curate the perfect vibe for every part of your home. For example, warm colors like red can elicit positive emotions and even higher energy in the context of a warm and inviting space. Softer tones can create a soothing response for a more relaxed area. Balanced with neutrals, a pop of color can create an atmosphere perfect for every part of your home. 7 Areas to Add Color, Inside and Out Whether you’re painting one room or renovating your entire home, these seven ideas for adding a pop of color can refresh and energize your space. Add an Unexpected Accent Wall Accent walls are a simple and strong way to add color in just about any room. By painting or adding a unique color to one of the four walls — or to the ceiling or floor, the “fifth” and “sixth” walls, respectively — you immediately draw visual interest to a unique area of the room. This wall can then feature display pieces that your eye naturally gravitates toward. Feature Bold Furniture or Statement Pieces If the rest of the room features a cohesive, neutral palette, adding one piece of furniture or a statement art piece can become the visual draw. Think a contrasting colored couch, an orange chair in a blue room or a gold chandelier glistening against darker hues. The piece draws the room's focus while anchoring the color scheme around it. Drape Colorful Blankets, Pillows and Curtains Adding textiles for color is a simple and easily adjustable enhancement. Throw pillows, blankets, curtains and rugs are impermanent features of a room and can be swapped out as needed if a different color trend or vibe catches your eye. Pick striking, uniform shades like saturated jewel tones or add interesting patterns. Upgrade Unassuming Fixtures Fixtures in your home that often go unnoticed can be an unexpected way to add creative flair and interest. Paint your light switch covers, or upgrade your door handles to striking metals or even crystal. Add patterns to baseboards or swap out your vent covers for a simple but noticeable upgrade. Highlight Your Front Doors and Shutters Colorful front doors and shutters can transform a house into a home from the exterior. Pinks and pastels add a sweet, cozy cottage feeling, while bright, vibrant hues can feel modern and artistic. Coordinated shutters frame the home beautifully, and a colorful front door stands out as an inviting, personalized touch. Customize Your Gutters Every home has gutters, but these can be more than just a necessary fixture. Painting them is a cost-effective way to revamp your exterior and even offer corrosion and weather protection , keeping your house looking fresh longer. This simple change can add more visual appeal to your home that increases your curb appeal. Liven Outdoor Spaces You can add plants to patios, decks or balconies to refresh the outside of your home with pops of green and vibrant, colorful flowers. In greener spaces like gardens, contrast the natural hues with red planters, yellow umbrellas or purple deck chairs. How to Balance Color With Neutrals Adding a touch of color to a space requires balancing it with neutrals so the pop is effective. Many designers follow the 60-30-10 rule, in which a space uses 60% for a main color , 30% for a similar secondary hue for variety, and 10% for a colorful accent. This rule keeps a space balanced, following a “golden ratio” for tried and true harmony. Neutral shades serve as necessary visual breaks, allowing the pops of color to stand out. Homeowners should choose a whole-home palette, with consistent neutrals as a base to ensure cohesive flow from room to room. The accents will stand out even more, drawing attention and interest to your focal points intentionally. Hue Got This Refreshing your house can be as simple as a one-wall paint job or adding new throw pillows, or as impactful as repainting exterior elements for a whole-home colorful reset. Balanced with neutrals, adding a pop of color can revitalize your space with personality and a creative touch.

There’s a lot that goes into a great home facade, and it can make a bigger impact than you think. It gives people an idea of your home’s personality and creates a sense of quality and attention to detail, even before they step inside. Whether you want your property to stand out or you’re after a timeless look, there are many ways to enhance your exterior. Discover how curb appeal sets the stage for your home’s style. It Sets the Tone for the Interior Your home’s exterior frames the experience indoors. It’s the first thing people see that can make them excited to see what’s inside. It takes seven seconds to make a first impression, and those impressions tend to stick. This means people are already forming an idea of what your home looks like before walking through the door. It Communicates Your Home’s Personality How your home is presented to the outside world reflects your personality and the values you place on a living space. For instance, a straight concrete walkway can evoke a sense of formality, while a winding stone path may suggest a more relaxed demeanor. A bold, brightly colored front door may mean you’re playful and confident, while a manicured lawn can signal a preference for order. It Creates Cohesion and Intentionality A tidy exterior signals to passersby and potential buyers that the owners take pride in their home. If your front door, lighting, landscaping and materials all work together, it creates a welcoming vibe. When everything has a consistent style on the outside, it’s easy to assume the same sense of calm and order is repeated indoors. It Highlights Architectural Features An effective curb appeal must match your home’s architectural style. For instance, clean lines and monochromatic color palettes complement a modern house. A farmhouse may feature wood tones and native plants to enhance the ambience. Landscaping is also a great way to frame a view or draw the eye toward a focal point, like an entryway. What Are High-Impact Upgrades for a Cohesive Look? Here are easy ways to boost your home’s curb appeal and make a positive first impression. Update Door Designs Your garage door occupies a large portion of your front facade. In fact, it accounts for a third of your home's appearance , making proper design choices important. Make sure the garage door’s material, color and panel design match the existing exterior features like front doors, windows and siding. Matching the base color to the rest of the house can make your property appear bigger. Choose a Consistent Palette The same colors and materials to tie the design together. For example, use the same stone or wood for pillar bases, accent walls and mailbox posts. Ensure shutters, the front door and garage doors either match or complement each other. You can also create a consistent look for your door hardware. A quality product costs around $100 , which can feel like a lot if you’re just making a small improvement. However, it’s a worthwhile investment in the long run. Add Architectural Interest Structural upgrades like window boxes, accent trim and pergolas can add more character to your property. Adding shutters can introduce a pop of color and texture, which is ideal for a coastal home. Install pergolas and arbors over windows or garage doors to add dimension and support climbing plants. Opt for decorative columns for a more elegant entryway. Your Home’s Style Starts at the Street What people see outside is the start of their whole experience in your home. Pick a few materials and repeat them to create a cohesive look. Use matching or complementary colors, add a few details that pop, and stay true to your vision to bring out the style you want.