Revamped Hues for a More Elite, Expensive, and Striking Appearance for Your Home
Rich Colors Transform Interior Spaces with Luxury and Depth
In the world of interior design, the term "rich" refers to colors that boast a high level of saturation and depth, conveying a sense of luxury and opulence. These vivid, intense hues can add warmth, richness, and personality to any space.
Amy Krane, an architectural color consultant trained by Frank Mahnke, is a renowned expert in the field. She contributes to interior publications on color and hosts the design podcast, "Let's Talk Paint Color." Amy emphasizes the importance of balance when working with rich colors, suggesting that they should be used boldly on statement pieces, such as an ochre sofa, while pairing them with neutral or lighter tones to avoid overpowering the space.
Oksana, another design enthusiast, recommends combining different textures like velvet, silk, wood, linen, and metal to make rich colors feel deeper and more multidimensional. Burl wood decor, for instance, is a unique way to use rich yellow and orange hues without painting the walls.
Examples of rich colors include deep blues, forest greens, charcoals, aubergine, and saffron. These hues, when used thoughtfully, can create a visually sophisticated environment that invites layering of textures and finishes. Phthalo Green is considered the most expensive-looking rich color, while the green marble table from Pietra is an example of decorating with rich colors in an unexpected way.
Color drenching is one method of maximizing the impact of rich colors. Coating an office or powder room in Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue or painting dining room walls in a romantic oxblood red can create a bold, striking statement. However, it's important to remember that rich colors should be used sparingly. They would look great as a sofa color, part of a pattern in curtains, or on walls with saddle-colored leather seating in a den or library.
Warm grays, beige, cream, and white tones can give rich colors room to breathe and prevent the space from feeling too heavy. A saturated olive green, especially in velvet finish, can convey a sense of luxury.
In summary, rich colors are characterized by deep saturation, luxurious texture pairings, balanced contrast with neutrals, and a sense of elegant warmth and depth that define the overall ambiance of interior spaces. Whether you're looking to make a bold statement or add a touch of sophistication to your home, incorporating rich colors can transform your space into a visually stunning and inviting environment.
[1] Krane, A. (2021). Let's Talk Paint Color. Podcast episode 72. [2] Krane, A. (2020). The New Colour Curators. Interior Design Magazine. [3] Nordic Knots. (2021). Rich Colors in Interior Design. Blog post.
- In the living room, an ochre sofa, upholstered in velvet, stands out against the neutral backdrop, creating a visually striking contrast.
- For a trendy kitchen, consider using Phthalo Green for cabinetry and pairing it with white marble countertops and brass hardware for a touch of luxury.
- In the bathroom, painting the walls in a deep forest green and using saddle-colored leather seating will add a touch of sophistication, while avoiding overpowering the space.
- Incorporating rich colors into your interior design can also be achieved through unusual items, such as a burl wood decor, which showcases rich yellow and orange hues.
- To balance the intensity of rich colors, consider using a green marble table, like the one from Pietra, which brings a sense of unexpected beauty to the decor.
- To prevent a room from feeling too heavy when using rich colors like saffron or deep blues, warm grays, beige, cream, and white tones can be used to provide balance and create a harmonious interior design.
