Color is one of the most important elements of design to use in a room. Color can evoke a mood, calm you down or rev you up, and even change how you perceive a space. And, it’s one of the easiest things to change, when you know how and where to use color in your home.

Literally everything that makes up a room, from the walls, ceiling, window treatments, flooring, furniture, art and accessories contributes to a room’s color palette. I generally like to keep the more expensive, investment pieces like flooring and furniture a neutral and then use color on the elements that are easier and less expensive to change, like accessories and textiles. This way, I can change out color for the seasons or when I just want a change.

Use Color Psychology

Choosing a color palette will depend on the room’s natural light, use, size and how you want to feel in the room. Here’s where color psychology comes in. Color is essentially light, and light is energy, and energy has vibrations or wavelengths. So, it makes sense that color affects our emotions and our bodies. While there are no hard and fast rules about using color in a space, this chart shows how the different colors of the spectrum affect us, and suggested spaces for that color. (Tip: Pin this to Pinterest board for future reference!)

Add Pops of Color

Once you know the color scheme you’ll use, choose where you’ll add that color to your room.

Here are five easy ways to use color to perk up a space. These are all photos from my Vegas home, where I used magenta long before Pantone chose the 2023 color of the year, Viva Magenta. I’ve just always loved magenta/hot pink/raspberry and now it’s officially trendy! It’s a good combination of blue and red so in that sense it’s both cool and warm; just perfect for a main living space. However, each of these ideas will work, no matter what color you choose for your room.

Paint an accent wall.

Accent walls are making a comeback! An accent wall is particularly effective if you choose a bold, dark, or saturated color. Painting an entire room magenta, navy, or hunter green could provide a cozy effect—or be overwhelming. To get a clean edge between the accent wall and adjacent walls, carefully tape the corner with blue painter’s tape. Use the adjacent wall color to seal the tape to the accent wall. The accent paint won’t bleed under the tape.

Add an area rug.

Area rugs are an essential elements of a room design. Adding color and softness underfoot, an area rug can also help define zones like a sitting area. Find the perfect area rug on a website like overstock.com, with filters to narrow down the size, shape and hue. I’ve recently discovered Ruggable and I’m planning to get my summer kitchen runner from them.

Pop in some pillows.

I admit I have a bit of a pillow addiction. It’s so easy to change the covers as the seasons or fashions change. (Covers are easier to store than pillows.) Find pillows in nearly any hue at Home Goods. If you just need new, colorful covers, try Pottery Barn and West Elm. Find covers in designer fabrics, at pillowfever.com.

Layer in art and accessories.

For an easy-to-change vignette, use floating shelves to display art and accessories. Once you’ve chosen your color, look for an array of accessories at retailers like Home Goods and West Elm, who usually has trendy colors. And don’t forget to shop your house, gathering anything in your chosen hue.

Finish with flowers.

For a fresh pop of color anytime, flowers are my go-to. For a magenta palette, look for stargazer lilies, peonies, or roses. Get more bang for your buck with grower bunches. (Use these tips to keep them fresher longer.) Find a wholesaler near you that sells to the public, or try Costco.

So there you go! Five easy ways to add color to any room of your home. Choose one or two, or do all five.