Decorating with Cool Colors

Better Homes & Gardens

Layer Brights

Make it work for you:
-- Lighten up a strong cool hue with bright white trim.
-- Choose contrasting accent colors to give the wall color an edge.
-- If your rooms open into one another, choose a different shade of the same color for the paint.

Work the Trends

Make it work for you:
-- Invest in one high-impact piece with both the colors -- Choose one of the colors to accessorize with; when you want to redecorate you just have to switch out pillows and artwork.
-- Make inexpensive artwork by painting different widths of stripes on plain canvases.

Surprise Color

Make it work for you:
-- Try it in an unexpected place, like upholstering traditional chairs in electric purple.

Bold for All

Decorating in cool colors doesn't mean decorating in pastels.
Make it work for you:
-- Fill the room with colors of equal saturation: fresh blue on the walls, butter yellow furniture, and bright red accents.
-- Group color types -- cool blue on the walls, warm red and yellow at ground level.
-- Subdue the look with dark wood, or whitewash the wood for a beachside cottage look.

Cooking with Color

Even the kitchen can benefit from a shot of cool color.
Make it work for you:
-- Keep the cabinets white; they'll weather many redecorations.
-- Choose an eye-popping color since you're effectively painting only half the room.
-- Coordinate with your dishes if they'll be out in the open.