How to Decorate with Light & Dark Colors to Give Your Home a Wow Factor
In this post, I share how to decorate with light & dark colors to give your home a wow factor.
The light & dark decor method is so easy and doesn’t require buying anything new.
Once you’ve learned this tool, you will look at your home differently.
Your eyes will be opened to all the possibilities.
And shopping for decor will have a whole new outlook once you learn the secret of how to decorate with light & dark colors.
There is a subtle but powerful thing that happens when you decorate with light & dark colors.
The photo above is a perfect example of how this works.
The white Pfalzgraff platter placed in front of the blackboard pops.
While this shelf has mostly second-hand decor, it is turned into something unique because of using this light & dark decor method.
You can do this with anything you want to spotlight.
Here is an example of things you can highlight in your home:
- Art
- Furniture
- Frames
- Flooring
- Trinkets
- Dishes
- Wall art
- Kitchen cabinets
- Windows
Or anything you want to stand out.
When it comes to decor, this is the magic of turning a room into a work of art.
It is the secret.
When guests come over, they are mesmerized by your home, and they can’t put their finger on why it looks so amazing.
Well, I can attest that it isn’t the object on their own that makes a room have that wow factor as much as it is the trick of showing off your most loved things in your home by using color to enhance its beauty.
My home is decorated with eclectic things I have found at second-hand stores, Craigslist, or Etsy.
It’s not the most beautiful home on the planet.
But I have taken my most loved things and highlighted them.
By doing this, I turned it into a unique Victorian Farmhouse styled home that is elegant with a cozy vibe.
Family members have asked to take pictures.
I am humbled because I can see all of its flaws.
But by taking this tip I’m sharing with you and implementing them, it has taken my not-so-perfect home and given it a wow factor.
And I want to pass this tip on to you so you, too, can turn your home into a piece of art just by using color.
Here are some more examples of how to make an object pop.
These photos speak for themselves.
Photo #1: The brilliance of fall orange foliage is stunning when placed inside a white farmhouse-style pitcher.
Photo #2: The white Pfalzgraff tureen on a dark wood tray has made this piece even more beautiful.
And Photo #3: The antique transferware plates made into a two-tier tray were highlighted by placing it on top of a white lace tablecloth.
These items are just ordinary, but when placed against the opposite color, they become a beautiful display that is extraordinary.
Wall art can have an unknown beauty when using light and dark colors.
Here are examples.
Picture #1: The view of my stairway shows how these pieces stand out on a white wall.
Picture #2: The blue wall in our living room accentuates the dark and light-colored frames. Here’s a closer view of the gallery wall below.
The white “It is well with my soul” frame amongst the darker frames gives it a unique look.
The darker metal 3D pieces, like the mailbox and the dinner bell, blend nicely because of the other dark frames on the wall.
But yet, because they are on a lighter wall, they stand out.
This wall has taken on many new looks.
Here it is again. Sharing the before and after photos.
Photo #1: The frames on the left are dark.
It looked great but didn’t have that wow factor.
Photo #2: Some frames were painted white, as you can see in the right photo.
The white frames have the same beach-themed prints inside.
But now they are highlighted and stand out against the blue wall.
By using this light & dark decor method, the gallery wall has a unified look even though the additions of antique plates, white iron candle sconces, and metal mailbox are different.
White is what brought this all together.
I will give you another example by showing you my living room which is currently getting a makeover.
It seems empty in this photo.
That is on purpose.
As I rearrange furniture and place them where I want them, I then take time to find pieces to fit into the space.
When I shop at thrift stores or decor stores like Hobby Lobby, I keep the light and dark decor method in mind.
It changes how I shop because I imagine what something will look like against the opposite color.
Here is what you want to look for when shopping for decor.
- Find white or light-colored decor pieces that will be accentuated by placing them on a dark wall or top of dark furniture.
Like in the photo above. The white plate pops against the dark wall.
Or white pitchers, for example that give a wow factor when placed on top of a dark mahogany cabinet, dresser, or hutch.
Like seen in the photo above.
When shopping, think about your goal for the room.
Do you want to lighten a room?
You can do this by incorporating light-colored pillows, curtains, rugs, wall art, and decor pieces into this space.
And make sure to shop your home.
Reimagine something you already have and use it in a different way, if possible.
This is so much fun.
You’ll get a whimsical, one-of-a-kind look that makes a room look incredible.
- Find dark-colored decor pieces that will stand out against white or light-colored walls or furniture.
This is when you can add fun colors to a room.
Like plaid, florals, or busy patterned items.
When placed against white, for example, it will become center stage.
Here’s a blog post where I share it’s ok to mix patterns here.
I share the secret to mixing patterns that is so simple and turns a room into a masterpiece.
Items to consider when shopping for light or dark:
- Pillows on a sofa or chair(s).
- Curtains in a room.
- Frames on the wall.
- Dishes on a shelf.
- Vases or vessels to put florals in.
- Light or dark-colored florals.
- Furniture.
- Bedding (add white lace sheets and fold the flat sheet on top of a dark duvet, and you have a striking contrast that is gorgeous, for example.)
- Patio or outdoor furniture.
This list is to help you think about all the ways you can use dark and light-colored things.
There is so much more to add.
And if you think of any to add, please comment below.
Now, back to talking about my living room.
I want to show you what it looked like before.
And how this new change of placing a lighter-colored chair helped to make this room look more peaceful.
Here is our living room before.
While all the pieces are beautiful, when placed together, it makes this space seem dark.
Do you see it?
Placing a neutral rug on the floor helped to calm it down.
But even with that, it was still dark.
I decided to place a lighter-colored chair where the dark green chairs are.
And this is what it looks like after.
This room is not fully done, but I wanted you to see how the light-colored chair made a huge difference from the before.
Here is a side-by-side showing the before and after.
It is a subtle change, but somehow it calmed this space.
I come into this room now with the lighter-colored chair, and it feels brighter and more welcoming.
All because I changed the colors.
I put the dark green chairs in our fireside room, which has white walls.
They are showcased because the room has two white loveseats.
The dark chairs and china cabinet added sophistication to this room.
And a depth of interest since the pieces are a focal point.
I love how the two rooms turned out by simply swapping the light and dark furniture.
Here is another example of how to decorate with light & dark colors.
By changing the dark wood candlesticks & white candlestick, you can see the difference.
Photo #1: The dark candlesticks stand out against the white wall art. The white teapot and white ironstone platter with light blue flowers beside them are also highlighted.
Photo #2: The white candlestick blends in with the light colors. While this is beautiful, too, you can see how the power of light & dark adds that little something that only you know.
It’s a trick of the eye and makes a huge difference when decorating!
Now you know the secret to creating a wow factor when you decorate with light & dark colors.
You have the tool to add subtle changes.
I’m so excited to hear how this transforms your home.
Please comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts.
To see the makeover of my living room and fireside room, subscribe below to receive my latest blog posts.
Sharing another similar post with more tools to put under your belt when decorating here.
And one of my favorite posts sharing how to combine the Victorian and Farmhouse style here.
Thank you for coming by Victorian Lane Farms.
Have an amazing day!