Enjoy a brighter future whatever the weather

If, like me, you're sick of the weather which still isn't very spring-like, then you'll be looking for every excuse to bring some extra cheer to your home until we finally get some consistent sunlight. A great way to cheer yourself up and bring your home right up to date is to add some vibrant colour.

The best thing about this look is that it doesn't have to cost the earth and you can be as daring or as subtle as you like. The scope for this look is endless – just think of all the shades of blue, green, red, purple, yellow and even pink to experiment with. Putting lots of colours together may seem a little daunting, but if you use your instincts to work out what colours you think go well together, then the chances are you won't go far wrong. A good place to look for inspiration is in magazines but keep an eye out for colours that complement each other in everyday items such as on a vase, book or favourite piece of jewellery.

Being bold is best achieved with blocks of colour but that doesn't mean to say that mixing patterns can't work just as well.

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Bear in mind that colour is a deeply personal thing; some people adore colours that others aren't so keen on, so throw out the rule book and choose shades that inspire you and make you feel good. If you are unsure, a great way to add colour is by taking a fairly neutral room and having a few key items in one or a number of chosen colours.

Rugs, lamps, pictures, vases, bedspreads and cushions can all be used to accentuate your chosen colour or colours. It's also really easy to alter these further along the line if you feel like a change of colour. I've always been a fan of painting one wall in a room a bright shade and having a more neutral colour on the other walls.

There are also lots of funky bright wallpapers around at the moment, too, if you don't fancy getting the paint brush out. There are some great examples on www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk

If you want to achieve a colourful look in a kitchen or bathroom, consider mixing brightly coloured wall tiles. The Mosaic effect looks set to be hot this spring and will see you well into summer and beyond. Consider using one feature piece of furniture such as the Dolce Vita chest from www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk or perhaps a side table, sofa or rug in a strong shade which will instantly liven up your room and add some much welcomed vibrancy.

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If you're not afraid of using colour then you can have lots of fun mixing and matching as many colours as you dare. Brightly patterned rugs can highlight some colours you may want to try.

So use poor weather as an excuse to stay home and give your house an injection of colour. You can never have too much – accessories and furniture in a variety of colours and in varying tones can look amazing and will definitely cheer you up, too.

YP MAG 10/4/10