Colour Blocking: how to make this bold trend work in your home

Are you ready to ditch the neutrals and shake things up a bit? Then the trend for colour blocking might be right up your street. This fun and playful approach to interiors involves creating blocks of colour via paint, fabric or furniture to achieve a bold and dramatic effect.

In this blog post, we explore ways in which you can adopt the colour blocking trend in your home.

What is colour blocking?

Inspired by catwalk trends, colour blocking is a technique that brings together two or more solid, contrasting colours to create a bold and striking look.

However, way before the fashion glitterati started wearing blocks of vivid colour, Dutch artist Piet Mondrian came to prominence in the 1920s with his graphic, primary-coloured paintings. His work is thought to be the origin of the ‘colour blocking’ trend which is currently big news in the world of interiors.

Where do I start if I want to use colour blocking in my decor?

A good place to start is to think about the colours you are naturally drawn to and the effect you want to create in your home. Not sure if greens, reds or purples are your thing? Then why not look in your wardrobe for inspiration? If you take a look at your clothes and realise blues and oranges are prominent, there’s a good chance you’ll like these colours on your walls, too.

Another great piece of advice is to limit your colour palette to a maximum of three colours in any particular room. This will create a balanced scheme and will help avoid overwhelming the space with too many colours.

It’s also worth thinking about how you want your space to feel when choosing the hues for your colour blocking scheme. Different colours have been shown to create different emotional responses. Orange can elicit feelings of playfulness and joy, for example, while black can project sophistication and glamour.

“Our attention is firmly grabbed by warm colours like red, orange and yellow, and they induce feelings of pleasure, cheerfulness and warmth. We are soothed and calmed by paler blues and greens – cooler colours which remind us of water and the natural world.” – Interior designer Siobhan Murphy, author of ‘More is More Décor’

Can I use furniture in different colours to achieve a colour blocking look?

Absolutely! Coloured furniture is a great way to bring the colour blocking trend into your home. Why not choose two sofas in bold, contrasting colours and link them together by placing them on a large, neutral rug?

The great thing about using furniture rather than paint to create a colour-blocked look is that it doesn’t feel as permanent. If you tire of the colour, it’s likely to feel easier to swap out a sofa than to redecorate your entire living room.

Having said that, if you’re willing to take the plunge, built-in cabinetry is a great way to embrace colour blocking. Bespoke shelving or cupboards can be painted the same colour as the walls and ceiling to create a stunning ‘drenched’ effect. This can then be contrasted with another section of the room painted in a different shade to create distinct blocks of colour. This colour drenching technique – in which multiple surfaces are painted in one colour – has the added benefit of making a small room appear larger.

What about adding textures to colour blocking?

While creating contrasting blocks of colour is all well and good, it’s worth remembering that you can also play with varying levels of texture alongside your bold colour combinations.

Bring depth and variety to your scheme with contrasting textures such as a plain weave sofa set against luxurious velvet curtains. Or why not try a fluffy mohair throw draped across a linen armchair? These layers of contrasting textures will create a sensory feast of warmth, comfort and visual interest.

Colour blocking palette combinations

If you’re stuck for which colours to choose, it can be useful to consult the colour wheel ­– a visual tool illustrating how different colours relate to one another. Colours that sit opposite each other on the colour wheel are deemed to be complementary and will create maximum contrast. Combinations of green and red, for example, or orange and blue, will bring a bold, dynamic feel to a space. Blocks of complementary colours can work really well in alcoves, archways or bay windows to create a pop of striking contrast.

For a more subtle approach, you could create a monochrome scheme in which different shades of a single colour are used. They key here is to choose colours with a similar undertone to create a calming and cohesive look.

“Opt for tonal hues of the same colour, choose contrasting, complementary colours from the opposite sides of the colour wheel or use colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel. Even if you opt for different pairing methods in different rooms, it will help you keep a sense of consistency and balance.” – Chelsea Clark, Head of Brand at Lust Home Wallpaper

Colour combinations affect us for a variety of reasons, many of which are hard to define but can be immediately felt. Explore and experience the restful properties of green with our Green aesthetic room décor board on Pinterest.

Stain resistant performance fabrics in all your favourite colours

FibreGuard has a wide selection of fabrics to choose from, ranging from vibrant colours to neutral tones. Whatever your decor dreams may be, you can find the perfect fabric to bring them to life. Every fibre is carefully crafted to meet the highest standards of quality and durability, making it a great choice for any home. With so many options, FibreGuard can help you find the fabric that perfectly suits your style.