Punches of color can perk up your space and give it personality.  You can add a spash of color anywhere in a room in a number of ways.  I like to think of accents as “low-commitment color.” You can make a big impression with a pop bright color. Plus, these accents can be easily changed when you decide you want a fresh look.

Libby’s Low-Commitment Color Hits:

• Vases
• Throw blanket
• Throw pillows 
• Small ottomans
• Candlesticks
• Plates
• Shower curtain/towels
• Drapes
• Picture frames
• Small planters
• Bedding/dust skirt

Consider painting a particular walls or pieces of furniture, such as end tables or the back of shelving units, both of which can be an extremely effective technique. Fabrics also make for excellent acccents (headboards, pillows, bedspreads, area rugs), as well as wallpaper.

• I encourage people to paint one accent wall in a room with a bold color and paint the other three walls a neutral tan. A tan color will balance the bold-colored wall while providing more life than simple white or off-white walls can—it looks more deliberate.  This adds some punch and a hit of color without closing in your space.  Good candidates for accent walls are those with a fireplace, a bed, or a sofa.  You want to make that wall the visual focus of the room.
   
• If you don’t love bold colors (or you’re renting and aren’t allowed to paint), consider painting all four walls a neutral tan or a pale gray. Tan has more depth than white or off-white but it remains neutral enough to mix well with all colors. It also creates good contrast for other items in your room, making artwork and furniture really pop. If you are truly terrified to use color, go ahead and leave your walls white and light (although I’m not-so-secretly encouraging you to put even the slightest shade of color on your wall). You can easily change the look of your room in a matter of minutes by adding colored accessories, artwork, and china.
   
• The most commonly used accessory in spaces is art; it adds life and style to a room without using up valuable square footage. It may seem counterintuitive, but big visuals actually work well on walls in a small space.  They add height, scale, and dimension. Also, keep in mind that a single picture on a wall can bring attention to what might be lacking square footage of your space, so group large and small pieces together or, simply choose an oversized piece of art.
   
• Some people think in symmetrical terms, and if they have a vase on one end of the shelf, they feel they have to have a vase on the other. While suitable for some spaces, this type of styling can somtimes give rooms a robotic feel. Instead, consider balancing the vase with a stack of books, some candlesticks, or a green plant.
   
• The trick to arranging items like a pro is to think in terms of threes—two vases on a shelf are too little, four vases are too many, but three are just right! Also, mixing three objects in varying heights balances the scale and looks chic. Items can range anywhere from pillar candles to vases to books; these objects will help make your space look more like a home. Just don’t go overboard, because you don’t want it to look cluttered; a little styling goes a long way!