Decorating with colour

DEEP PURPLE Opulent and regal, it’s another one that polarises us. Surprisingly versatile, it can be mixed and matched with other primary colours for a full-on dramatic impact in a modern or even traditional home.

WHITE HOUSE If none of these snazzy options grab you, never fear – there’s always the classic. When your room needs to feel bigger, brighter or more beautiful, white always does the trick. And there are ways to dress it up or down.

GOING GREEN This is the kind of kitchen you install in a house you plan to live in for the next 20 years, as it can be a polarising colour and others may not quite share your bold vision.

ZEST FOR LIFE Loved by decorators in the 1970s, when it was regarded as the ultimate statement colour, orange has sat unappreciated for a few decades, but it’s back with a vengeance! My personal favourite is a beautiful, bold tangerine – but you can dilute it successfully and still achieve a fantastic finish.

CANDY CODE For delicate, girly surroundings, you can’t beat pink in all its myriad of shades and hues. Add white and some splashes of hot pink to your main, subtle shade and the atmosphere begins to pop. These rooms call for lots of lace and flowers, and can invoke a strong sense of romance.

FEELING BLUE This is a colour that won’t date for utility areas, such as bathrooms. It invokes a sense of tranquillity, cleanliness and inner peace. If you choose a bright, lively shade it can lift your mood on those winter mornings when the cold bathroom is less than inviting.