The world of colour trends around the home

Colour trends can either go really well in your house, or make it look amazingly outdated and caught in the '70s. We got expert colour consultant Rhonda Mentiplay to discuss the finer points of colour choice.

People seem to be embracing colour more. What do you see as the main trends right now?

Colour trends show monotones are still strong: pure black and clean whites paired with pale greys, pale beiges, greys, chocolates and sometimes rich oranges. Earth tones are also very popular, especially terracotta and reds. At the other end of the scale, metallics such as silver and gold leaf used with beautiful turquoises, Asian pottery greens and pale blues work really well.

Wallpapers are also back in fashion. Are there any tricks when using wallpaper?

Any colour consultant right now will tell you that graphics in interiors are in fashion, and wallpaper is a perfect way of incorporating graphics into a room. If selecting bold colours and patterns, try and keep the rest of the room simple. Alternatively, for a simpler look, go for French florals in pale blues, blacks and golds.

Does texture play a large part in the colours you should choose?

Textures these days are used more in the materials you choose, such as woods, stone, glass, etc. The look at the moment is natural, so you should try to keep the colours natural or, in the case of woods, use stains to show their natural grains and textures, usually in a matt or semi-gloss finish.

If you live in a heritage home, should this rule your choice of colour scheme?

There can be certain colour restrictions when living in a heritage home. The whites are usually slightly yellow, showing age, and other colours tend to be more traditional, such as greens and yellows. But if you want to go for a contemporary feel and follow the trends in colour, darker colours look fabulous, such as dark navy, warm bottle green or rich reds.

When building a new home, renovating or just freshening up an existing design, how can a colour consultant help?

A colour consultant brings new ideas to the project, which in turn can lead to other ideas when combined with those of the client. They can suggest colours current with today's trends. Consulting is also helpful in coordinating all the colours to suit the project.

Does colour consulting overlap with other areas of design such as interior decoration or is it its own particular discipline?

It can be just a consultation of paint colours, but then sometimes other materials come into it and then it can move into interior decoration as well.

Contact a colour consultant in your area today to discuss the finer points of colour trends for the home: