Adding Personality to Monochromatic Spaces

If you are anything like me, color can be a big commitment. When you’re wearing it you have to make sure the colors coordinate or don’t clash. If its in your home it can be overwhelming to look at all day or you just tire of it quickly. Does this sound like you,because I feel you.

It wasn’t until I started buying only neutral colored clothing and monochromatic decor that I felt a sense of calm and relief in my life. Getting dressed is always easy! 9 times out of 10, my pieces already coordinate its just a matter of dressing up or down.  Because I am huge on being festive for holidays, when holidays come around, its much easier for me to change my color scheme and decorations because whatever I choose will already go with my existing decor. Last Christmas I did a brown, white and gold color scheme. The year before red and green. I’m leaning toward either red and white this year or white and silver. But guess what, it doesn’t matter! no matter what direction I go in, it will work.

There is one problem with this system. If you only stick to neutrals, your space can appear boring or stale. When I explained to Mychal that I wanted mostly white decor, he immediately deferred to a hospital. I then had to enlighten him, the way I hope to enlighten you! So neutral lovers, monochromatic space designers, fret not. You can keep your white, black, grey and brown(and marble, marble is its on beautiful thing), and make your space more inviting.

1. Texture. Layer a fluffy throw over your couch or add pillows with raised details to a piece of furniture that is smooth. Try not to buy things that are all the same type of material. If your entire room is sharp and sleek pieces break it up with some softer pieces. It can still be in the same color scheme but the change in detail and texture will add interest. It will also give off a more cozy feeling than a sterile feeling.
2. Plants. Plants not only add color that is not to overwhelming, they don’t tend to clash with the decor if you stick to simple greenery. They don’t have to be real, although real usually looks better and I know from experience that it is nearly impossible to kill a succulent. If you want to go for a more colorful plant choose a more pastel or muted shade. This way it wont feel abrasive and counter to what you prefer.
3. Add color in small doses. If you have a room that is entirely neutral add two or three small decor elements of the same color. You’re creating a pallet that is still mostly neutral with a hint of color. If you have a coffee table add one or two books of the same color and space them between neutral books. Pillows also are a way to add color in a small dose. And these things aren’t commitments. You don’t like the color or the idea, all you have invested in is a small book or a couple of pillows, not an entire couch or painted wall.
4. Vary your shades of neutral. If everything is gray or everything is white, the space will always feel stagnant. Instead, layer neutrals that compliment each other. Throws of different colors, baskets or other decor items of a different color will immediately add interest and offer something to the eyes to break up the room
5. Metallics! So, if you know me, you know I have a very intimate relationship with gold. Most shades of gold in fact. For me, adding gold adds interest where there isn’t much. If you are not a lover of gold as I am, silver can do the same thing. Pairing the metallic elements with the muted or matte elements already in your space will create a beautiful dynamic. This is especially true for mercury glass as it is dynamic on it on.

Have fun with it and stick to what you like! Happy decorating!