This Month Is All About Colorful Spaces on Apartment Therapy

A few years ago, I read a tip that said if you’re feeling stuck on your decor style, you should look in your closet.

When it comes to clothes, it’s always been easy for me to decide what I like (and what I don’t). But when it comes to interior design, I used to choke. What paint could possibly be worth committing to 100 square feet?! How can I choose the sofa color I want to look at every day for years?!

But when I opened my closet door, my personal style shone through. I like a neutral (in clothes, that means lots of black — I am a New Yorker, after all) with pops of deep, bright colors and patterns. So I painted my walls my favorite interior neutral (greige) and added bright color throughout: a pink front door, a deep blue sofa, a rainbow bookshelf, and a navy bedroom wall, to name a few.

Color is one of the most important building blocks of home design, and I’m super excited that this July is our third annual Color Month here on Apartment Therapy. Of course, we love to celebrate colorful homes all year long, but this month we’re really blowing it out, with tons of color inspiration and tips.

A week or so into July, we already have tons of stories to dig into. Take, for instance, this roundup of the best color to paint every room according to real estate agents — particularly helpful if you’re thinking of putting your home on the market any time soon. Or check out our fun personal paint name generator here (my color is Confident Viridian). And, of course, find tons and tons of colorful house tours, like this Brooklyn duplex, this rainbow-painted home of a “recovering minimalist,”  and this 1,000-square-foot home that transformed from beige to technicolor during lockdown.

Throughout the month we’ll have plenty of tips on adding more color to your home, an exploration of the science and psychology behind different colors, an explanation of the connection between color and accessibility, and tons more real-life colorful house tours.

As for me, I’m moving soon and facing down a sea of unpainted white walls and a ton of potential. I recently opened the closet door again, and saw my favorite colors staring right back at me — the launchpad for choosing just-right shades. And if I mess it up? Paint isn’t permanent.

I’m wishing you all a bright and healthy summer!

Warmly,
Laura