Interior Design
How To Decorate With Jewel Tones At Home
Love the glamour of these saturated hues? Here are 8 ways a professional stylist uses it to class up a home
Incorporating jewel tones in a home is a fabulous way to take a space from drab to luxe. Steered towards the cool side of the colour spectrum, these rich gemstone hues can easily cosy up a space. Unlike sparkly gemstones, jewel tones tend to be darker and exude a sense of moodiness – this helps to enhance architectural structure and interior details.
It is easy to overdo it when infusing your home with jewel tones, so I’ve outlined my top tips on how to inject rich hues in subtle ways.
It is easy to overdo it when infusing your home with jewel tones, so I’ve outlined my top tips on how to inject rich hues in subtle ways.
2. Accessories are key
Accessorising is a great way to dip your toes into this trend – decor pieces are often low-commitment pieces and can make a substantial impact in the room. There are many ways you can embellish affordably: cushions, books, throws, glassware, curtains, flowers … the list goes on!
Tip: Dispersing colours can help to keep things visually interesting as it creates a better line of sight. Beginner decorators can try sticking to creating a focal point –in a collection or in threes.
Accessorising is a great way to dip your toes into this trend – decor pieces are often low-commitment pieces and can make a substantial impact in the room. There are many ways you can embellish affordably: cushions, books, throws, glassware, curtains, flowers … the list goes on!
Tip: Dispersing colours can help to keep things visually interesting as it creates a better line of sight. Beginner decorators can try sticking to creating a focal point –in a collection or in threes.
3. Make a statement
A jewel-toned statement piece is a fantastic way to add a splash of colour to your apartment. Create a focal point with a showpiece sofa or even a dramatic lamp or chandelier. This tends to work better if you have a small space as it creates a dramatic illusion of depth and contrast.
A jewel-toned statement piece is a fantastic way to add a splash of colour to your apartment. Create a focal point with a showpiece sofa or even a dramatic lamp or chandelier. This tends to work better if you have a small space as it creates a dramatic illusion of depth and contrast.
Another fun alternative is to have an area rug with gem-inspired hues take centre stage. Rugs are a great way to tie your colour scheme together, but be careful not to overwhelm the space! If you have a strong-coloured rug, keep your accompanying furniture pieces neutral and classic.
4. My secret weapon: textures
Texture is so important to a home. Materials like velvet, satin, and silk are not only luxurious and decadent, they also provide visual weight and balance. These materials are great to work with because they’re easily accessible and have a semi-reflective surface – this allows the colours to truly stand out. Don’t want to splurge on a luxe, velvet chair? Substitute with velvet cushions instead. For a more subtle look, opt for silk or satin curtains.
Texture is so important to a home. Materials like velvet, satin, and silk are not only luxurious and decadent, they also provide visual weight and balance. These materials are great to work with because they’re easily accessible and have a semi-reflective surface – this allows the colours to truly stand out. Don’t want to splurge on a luxe, velvet chair? Substitute with velvet cushions instead. For a more subtle look, opt for silk or satin curtains.
Tip: Balance the intensity and flashiness of jewel tones with rough, distressed textures like jute, wood, and leather, which undercut the richness of jewel-tone colours. I also love using plants as a way to add visual depth and subtle texture. You don’t need to have green fingers; faux plants work just as well.
5. Jewel-toned walls
Another affordable way of embellishing your house with jewel tones is to simply paint the walls! Deep amethyst and sapphire hues are great gateway jewel tones; they’re less striking and less likely to overwhelm a space.
I love using accent walls to jazz up spaces. When done right, accent walls can help enlarge a small room and also divide spaces in a room. Don’t want to commit to paint? Use wallpaper – there are plenty of removable options in the market for added texture. Or hang metallic framed artworks or mirrors for that bold, luxe look.
Another affordable way of embellishing your house with jewel tones is to simply paint the walls! Deep amethyst and sapphire hues are great gateway jewel tones; they’re less striking and less likely to overwhelm a space.
I love using accent walls to jazz up spaces. When done right, accent walls can help enlarge a small room and also divide spaces in a room. Don’t want to commit to paint? Use wallpaper – there are plenty of removable options in the market for added texture. Or hang metallic framed artworks or mirrors for that bold, luxe look.
6. Complement with metallics
Metallics tend to dramatise deep gemstone hues. Cool metallic tones such as nickel and silver provide a slick, modern touch while warmer tones like gold and brass adda sense of glamour and antiquity.
Try pairing jewel tones and metallic ones in the kitchen as there are already available metals to work with – jewel-toned textiles and even lighting solutions can glam up an otherwise mundane space.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix your metals! Don’t know where to start? One rule of thumb is to stick to a dominant metal, preferably one that balances your dominant colour, and use another one or two metals to accentuate and complete the look.
Kitchen Glamour for Grown-Ups
Metallics tend to dramatise deep gemstone hues. Cool metallic tones such as nickel and silver provide a slick, modern touch while warmer tones like gold and brass adda sense of glamour and antiquity.
Try pairing jewel tones and metallic ones in the kitchen as there are already available metals to work with – jewel-toned textiles and even lighting solutions can glam up an otherwise mundane space.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix your metals! Don’t know where to start? One rule of thumb is to stick to a dominant metal, preferably one that balances your dominant colour, and use another one or two metals to accentuate and complete the look.
Kitchen Glamour for Grown-Ups
7. Balance with neutral tones
Striking a balance between bold splashes of colour and neutral tones is important: you don’t want it to look like you’re living inside a jewellery box.
Tip: Instead of white, try neutral tones like taupe, cream, or even light grey. These colours help emphasise deep hues better.
Striking a balance between bold splashes of colour and neutral tones is important: you don’t want it to look like you’re living inside a jewellery box.
Tip: Instead of white, try neutral tones like taupe, cream, or even light grey. These colours help emphasise deep hues better.
8. Or learn from the maximalists
It’s easy to get carried away when it comes to decorating with jewel tones, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing – jewel tones are a great way to dabble in maximalism. Their moody, luxurious shades pair well with different textures and provide a lush, cosy mood that keeps the space personalised and intimate.
TELL US
What is your favourite jewel tone? Have you tried incorporating it at home? Share your photos in the Comments below.
It’s easy to get carried away when it comes to decorating with jewel tones, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing – jewel tones are a great way to dabble in maximalism. Their moody, luxurious shades pair well with different textures and provide a lush, cosy mood that keeps the space personalised and intimate.
TELL US
What is your favourite jewel tone? Have you tried incorporating it at home? Share your photos in the Comments below.
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As with all my decorating projects, one of the first things I do is to decide on a colour scheme. I usually work with one dominant colour and complement it with two other colours following the 60-30-10 rule – 60 per cent dominant colour, 30 per cent accent colour, and 10 per cent textures or patterns.
Depending on the mood you’re looking for, here is a rough guide to work with: