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Easy Ways to Add Color to a Room

How to Add Color Without Making a Big Commitment

By , About.com Guide

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Ikea Fredrika Fabric Image

Colorful fabric like Fredrika from Ikea can be made into curtains or pillows or framed and hung on the wall.

IKEA
Want to add color to a room but don't want to make a big commitment? No problem. You don't need to paint an entire room or reupholster a sofa to get a nice punch of color. Check out these cheap and easy ways to add color without spending a lot of money or making a huge commitment.

Flowers

Flowers are the easiest way to add a burst of color without making a commitment. Add them to any room and you'll notice an immediate difference. In fact, when flowers die and get taken out of a room it leaves the space where they were feeling a little empty. Flowers add life in a way that nothing else can. They're also a great way to experiment with color to figure out which ones look best before you commit to something larger and more long lasting.

Fabric

Fabric doesn't have to be a big commitment. Sure you can cover a couch in it, but you can also bring in accent pillows, cover a small footstool, frame it, cover a lampshade; the list goes on. Pick up some cheap fabric remnants in wild colors and patterns and see how they look in your space.

Area Rug

Flooring takes up a large amount of a room's visual space so why not use it to add some color? Area rugs can go just about anywhere so they're a great choice. Whereas wall-to-wall carpeting is a longtime commitment, area rugs can easily be moved around. And with the huge number now available at low prices you can experiment without spending a lot of money (or change them when you tire of the ones you currently have).

Artwork

When people think of art they tend to automatically assume it's expensive. Not so! While original works of art can be costly, prints, paintings from new artists, photographs, framed pieces of textiles and wall decals can all be purchased and mounted on your walls for very little money. They can add personality to your space and bring in a splash of color.

Window Treatments

Window treatments are a great way to add color to a room. Like artwork they can be expensive, but there are also a lot of low cost options on the market. You can keep them simple and have a plain but colorful roman shade or go a little more luxurious and have long flowing drapes. If you really want to have fun go for something wild that has a lot of color and pattern. If you decide you don't like them you can easily remove and replace them with new ones.

Ribbon

Adding ribbon to some places in your home might just be the easiest and chicest way to add color. Simply purchase some double-sided tape and use it to attach colorful ribbon to lampshades, window treatments, cabinet doors, picture frames, and anywhere else you want a dash of color. Just remember, if you're using ribbon to accentuate some areas of your home try to use the best ribbon you can afford. Cheap ribbon will look cheap. Try to use a nice grosgrain, silk or velvet – whatever works in the space.

Accessories

When in doubt add a colorful accessory. Whether it's a vase, a throw, a few accent pillows or a bowl of fruit, the little extras you place in a room can really add a great shot of color and personality.
Related Searches wall to wall carpeting small footstool fabric remnants empty flowers accent pillows cheap fabric
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