20 Simple Ways to Add More Color to Your Home for Less Than $20
Love color? So do I. In fact, I’m all about finding ways to creatively (and affordably!) sneak more of it into my home. Turns out there are tons of different, under $20 ways to pump up the volume on the hues in your house. In honor of Color Month here at Apartment Therapy, read on for some quick, inexpensive, bright ideas that will make a lasting impact.
1. Display plant babies in style.
Treat growing plant babies to a new, cheerful home. This multicolor planter will jazz up your windowsill in a jiffy and comes with a pre-drilled drainage hole.
Buy: Nara & Dan Concrete Planter Pot, $15.99 from Amazon
2. Source and showcase a collection of colorful glassware.
Make a habit of scoping out your local thrift stores in search of colorful vases, cups, and pitchers. For just a couple of dollars a pop, you’ll be able to build a vibrant collection of useful vessels that will come in handy when entertaining. As a bonus, they’ll look super peppy on your open shelving when not in use, as seen in this Copenhagen apartment.
3. Paint a nook.
Grab a quart of paint and use it to add a pop of color to a neglected nook in your home. This bed cove in a Brooklyn apartment really makes a statement, thanks to a coating of coral. As a bonus, complete this decorative, high-contrast paint job, and there’s really no need for a headboard either.
4. Upgrade an everyday essential.
Could your daily drinkware use a bit of a refresh? I’ve got you, color lovers, covered. Replace one of your beige coffee mugs with a Pantone cup in your fave hue. Who knows? It might just motivate you to turn off your alarm each morning.
Buy: Pantone Tea Cup, $18.00 from Pantone
5. Spray paint your outdoor furniture.
Most outdoor furniture frames tend to be brown and wooden or metallic in color, but who says it has to stay that way? Grab some rust-resistant spray paint and give your outdoor dining bench a brand new look on a budget. Personally, I’m a big fan of the high-octane red hue seen on the patio of this Ontario cottage.
6. Show off your best duds.
Short on storage? Pick up a clothing rack and use it to display some of your most colorful outfits, as was done in this Brooklyn apartment. Your closet will be less cramped, and you’ll be able to admire your prettiest, most colorful threads all day long.
7. Hang funky LED lights.
They’re like Y2K butterfly hair clips — only for your walls. These butterfly-shaped LED lights will add some sparkle to any space. All you have to do is stick ’em directly to the wall in any configuration you’d like. They’d make a super-fun accent in a kid’s room.
Buy: Butterfly LED Lights, $16.00 for a Set of 5 from Urban Outfitters.
8. Style your favorite books as if they’re art.
Admit it: You’ve judged a book by cover — or spine — at some point in your life (I think we’ve all done it!). Grab your favorite colorful titles and make a few vibrant stacks that will double as sculptural artwork, just like this NYC renter did in her apartment. Bonus points if you can fit them under a bench or built-in.
9. Set out a sweet throw pillow.
What’s not to like about a lemon — at least, when it’s in textile form? This pillow is small enough that it will work in a number of spaces: Place it on the sofa, an accent chair, your bed, a bench in the entryway… the possibilities are endless. No matter where you put it, you’ll appreciate the color and cheer this cushion brings everywhere it goes.
Buy: Beaded Front Lemon Pillow, $19.99 from T.J. Maxx
10. Up your coaster game.
Those cardboard coasters from the dive bar down the street won’t hold a candle to an agate beauty like this one. Keep it on your nightstand so it’s handy as you sip coffee in bed on the weekends.
Buy: Eyelet Agate Coaster, $16.00 $12.00 from Anthropologie
11. Stock up on fresh flowers.
A vibrant bouquet can do no wrong. (And if you want to hang eye-catching floral wallpaper as seen in this Oakland apartment, even better). Whether you frequent the neighborhood farmer’s market or make a weekly ritual of buying tulips at Trader Joe’s, remember it’s easy to find quality florals without breaking the bank.
12. Set out some pom-poms.
Create your own centerpiece using a long tray and some pom-poms, just as this Chicago condo resident did. Simply head to the craft store to buy a multi-colored bag of poms, find a long and low-slung vessel to stack them in, add a few flameless candles if you like, and you’re good to go!
13. Cover those walls!
Say buh-bye to boring walls! At 10-inches by 13-inches, this cute canvas is the perfect accent for an office space, bathroom, or kitchen.
Buy: 10″ x 13″ Floral Bouquet Framed Wall Canvas – Oris Eddu, $15.00 $11.35 from Target
14. Paint a door.
Why not paint an interior door for a bit of fun? Choose a hue that contrasts with your wall color for extra intrigue. In this Queens apartment, emerald green and navy blue look wonderful next to each other.
15. Build a gallery wall.
A collection of artwork will transform your space in no time, and fear not, there’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars in the process. These digital downloads are full of life and cost just $9. Print them out home, source a pack of affordable frames from the thrift store, and hammer away!
Buy: Gallery Wall Art, $12.00 $9.00 for a Set of 5 from Etsy
16. Change your screensavers.
You rely on your technology all day long, so why not make it look pretty? Update the screensavers on your phone, laptop, smart TV — you name it! In this Florida home, a ’70s-esque floral screensaver coordinates with the nearby pink and yellow area rug perfectly. Let this setup be your inspiration to make this easy (and affordable!) change.
17. Don’t neglect the kitchen.
Your kitchen deserves some colorful touches! Make doing dishes feel like less a chore by indulging in these patterned towels. They’ll look just as good on display, too.
Buy: MÜ Kitchen Microfiber Flower Kitchen Towels, $17.99 for a Set of 2 from Bed Bath & Beyond
18. Cover your sofa with a blanket.
Grab a colorful throw from your closet, and place it over your sofa to add more vibrance to the area. I love the cozy, layered look it creates, as seen in this NYC home. Plus, it’s a great way to disguise wear and tear or any unsightly stains you’d like to conceal.
19. Wallpaper a door with leftover scraps from a project.
Just like painting an interior door can make a major impact, wallpapering one is also an excellent way to add more color to a space. If you have wallpaper leftover from a previous project, go to town and prevent what’s left of the roll from going to waste. I’m inspired by the floral bathroom in this German home, but if you have a paneled door and only a few square feet, you could always just paper the insets.
20. Grab a petite vase.
A small vase will make any vignette look more complete. Think beyond those glass vessels from the florist and choose something colorful, which is way more fun to admire from across a room.
Buy: Small stoneware vase, $12.99 from H&M Home.
This piece is part of Color Month, where we’re showing you the best ways to inject more color into your home and life. From paint color combos to vibrant house tours, head over here to see it all.