Welcome to 2021 and another fabulous summer. Finally, it’s great to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather. As we get back into the swing of things, school goes back, and we return to work, the pace of life starts to return and all of a sudden we’re busy with life. Often this means, we still have a few things to do around the house that need fixing, replacing, or refreshing. Sometimes things just get past their use by date.
Whether you live in an apartment or house, there’s probably something on your list that you need help with. And while you’re compiling that list, think about how you might include the 2021 Colours of the Year.
2021 Colours of the Year
You read it right. There’s not one, but 2 colours of the year for 2021 – “Ultimate Grey” and “Illuminating” Yellow.
We’re not sure why 2 colours have been chosen this year, but we like them! At first, we were not totally convinced about the grey, but it is such an understated neutral that partners well with vibrant hues, such as the “Illuminating” Yellow.
According to an article by Better Homes and Gardens, “the team at Pantone hope that the marriage of ‘Ultimate Grey’ and ‘Illuminating’ will convey a message of “strength, and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.” (Just what we need for the start of a new year, and after 2020!)
Using Grey and Yellow around your home
To achieve a quick refresh of your home, the easiest thing to do is to replace your cushion covers, bed linen, bath towels, kitchen accessories, and styling pieces such as vases, candles, book ends, etc. But if you’re attempting some DIY this summer, think about how you can incorporate colour. Here’s some ideas.
Painting
Whether it’s just one wall, a whole room, or your entire home, painting is a cost-effective way to give your home a new look. While this year’s Grey and Yellow might not be to your liking, it will help you get started in the paint selection process. That’s the hardest decision you’ll make and is one you should definitely invest some time in. As for the actual painting, it’s more work than you think and will almost certainly take you a lot longer to finish than you first thought.
And that’s where we come in. Our Hubbies enjoy painting and can do all of the hard work for you – patch and repairing if required, cleaning the surface, taping edges, securing drops sheets, cutting in, paint application, and cleaning up.
Carpentry
When you’re compiling your “To Do” list, there are some great opportunities to consider colour when it comes to carpentry.
- Cabinets – doors (matched with new handles – black, silver, rose gold, gunmetal grey)
- Book shelves (and book ends)
- Storage – doors, cabinets, handles
- Home Offices and Study Nooks – walls, flatpack furniture, shelving, frames and pictures
- Window seats and storage boxes (and the cushions on top)
- Cubby Houses – walls, stairs, slide
- Covers for Wheelie Bins and Pool Filters (maybe not colour, but definitely staining)
- Handrails and Balustrades
- Privacy screens.
Bathroom, Kitchen and Laundries
The bathroom, kitchen, and laundry are all great spaces for a refresh, makeover, or reno. Painting is definitely on the list with these rooms, but also consider:
- New cabinets and hardware
- New doors and handles
- Shelving
- Mirrors or Shaving cabinets
- Vanities and basins
- Benchtops
- Tiling and grouting
- Hanging new artwork
- Utilising “dead” space – storage, shelving, bench seats etc.
Thinking about the room and the mood or feeling you want to create will help you in your selection of colours, textures, and finishes. This should be part of your planning process. After you (or our Hubbies) have done the job, styling will be easier.
Outdoor Jobs with colour
Bringing the outside in is almost in our DNA. Step outside and there are more ways to inject colour than perhaps you might think.
- The Deck (*might not need colour, but does it need staining again to protect it from the elements?)
- Wooden furniture*
- Fencing – Protect and upgrade with a fresh coat of paint or replace with a new coloured version
- Paving – High pressure clean or select a new style, shape, and colour
- Outdoor kitchens
- Privacy screening
- Vertical gardens
- Shade cloths
- Pergolas
- Cubby Houses (kids love colour!)
- Covers for Wheelie Bins and Pool Filters*
- Handrails and Balustrades
- Privacy screens.
Once you’re done, you can also inject colour with not only more soft furnishings, but also large potted plants and outdoor artwork.
Next steps
So now you have a few ideas for injecting some colour into your home in 2021. Write down that ‘To Do’ list and don’t forget, we’re here to help.
