Color has long been a staple element in many interior design styles, and even small changes can make a significant impact to almost any aesthetic.  Adding color to your living space can truly change the look and feel of your home. Simple changes can bring a fresh new update to your room design, whether it be lots of bold coloring or a few pops of a more subtle hue. Some of the most beautifully designed rooms incorporate elements of color that highlight a design style or personality.  These simple tips can help update your space and easily give your room a whole new appeal. 

1. Pillows

One of my favorite ways to add a pop of color to any living room is to incorporate a few strategic colorful pillows. A bold navy, green or pink pillow is an easy and affordable way to add a big change to any room. Pillows can be a cornerstone of any color scheme, and are one of the most effective elements to add if you are wanting to freshen up your space with a more personal feel.  They work well in almost any room type, are versatile in both shapes in sizes, and are commonly used in bedrooms and living rooms. One of the best benefits of pillows is the ability to change them out with the seasons or as often as you like to keep your living room feeling fresh!

2. Artwork

Bringing in artwork is a great opportunity to not only showcase your style, but will also pull in some color that will brighten any space. Your living room is a great place to make a statement with the color choices in your artwork. There are a wide variety of affordable, online retail websites that specialize in both original and reproduction pieces.  It also gives you the ability to empower local or up-and-coming artists. One of my personal favorite online retailers is Saatchi Art.  If you want to get even more personal, try creating your own pieces or filtering, printing, and framing your own unique photography to really bring out your personality in your room.  You can go with bold color, or more subtle, but it's a great way to create an instant pop in your space.

3. Plants and Flowers

If you feel like your living room is in need of a refresh but you are not too excited about the thought of adding in too much color, plants and floral arrangements are a great way to bring in a fresh and welcoming pop of color to you space.  They work in any room type, from centerpieces on coffee or dining tables, to kitchen sink window sills, plants can make your room feel more alive and bring out your color pallette. While some people still aren’t impressed by faux plants, they have grown in popularity in recent years for people who don’t have the luxury of maintaining plants.  Succulents can also be an excellent option for people who want real plants with relatively low maintenance. If you need some ideas to help with your selection of plants and flowers, check out some of these houseplants to stimulate your creative thinking!

4. Decorative Accessories

Items that can really add a pop of color to your room can be as simple as a few decorative accessories. A blue tray for your coffee table, a yellow planter, even something as simple as a decorative bowl can really add a whole new tone to a room with that colorful accent.  If you love candles, look for options that come in colorful, decorative containers. Glam styling tends to favor gold pieces in anything from mirror or picture frames to bed frames.  Coastal styling typically features nautical accessories in either blue, yellow, or white. Common in rustic and farmhouse aesthetics, vintage and worn furniture can make a statement with aged whites contrasting exposed dark woods.  

5. Books

Books are such a powerful way to easily and simply bring bold color into any living room design! They can totally change the look of a space and can be styled in so many ways. You can group books by color, mix and match, use them on the coffee table, or stacked as a small accent table. They are a great design tool because they can so easily add that color you are looking for in any area of your room.  Experiment with how you arrange the books either by stacking upright or vertically, or create a unique combination of the two with books leaning in between. 

Author Bio: Kelsey is a professional interior designer for Havenly, an online interior design platform making design more accessible through affordability and personalization.  Formerly from Southern California, she now calls Colorado home but her beach-girl, classic and relaxed vibes follow her in every aspect of my life. Kelsey loves working with clients who want to add personality to their space with color, and she specializes in classic, eclectic, and traditional styles.  She finds inspiration in texture and strives to create the indescribable feeling of home in every space she works with.