
In anticipation of a new year—and new trends in home design—we spent weeks gathering counsel from the color experts to get the pulse on the hottest colors for 2012. Above, architectural color consultant KD Fikso reveals her favorite on-trend paints—and keep reading for tips on working color into your own space.
If you prefer white walls and neutral furnishings…
Opt for just a touch of color. “Try painting the inside of cabinets and bookshelves or niches so you get a peek of color,” recommends Sonu Mathew, senior interior designer with Benjamin Moore.
Go bold in a smaller space—like a powder room, foyer or guest room.
If you like splashes of color throughout your home…
Create colorful vignettes. “Celebrate a trend in your home by displaying some of your favorite accessories in a grouping that reflects the ways colors are being combined,” architectural color consultant KD Fikso says.
Paint a piece of furniture. “Maybe it’s a painted chair that sits in the office area of your kitchen,” Fikso says, or a period piece that’s brought up-to-date with an unconventional hue.
If you’re ready to go BIG with color…
Paint the ceiling. “Color doesn’t have to be on the walls,” Mathew says. “You could have a neutral room and apply a bold trend color to your ceiling.”
Redo the kids’ room. “Talk about trendy; kids are changing every couple years,” says Fikso, who suggests children’s bedrooms as the perfect place to experiment with playful hues.
For more expert tips on decorating with color, click here, and to browse our roundup of home furnishings in the hottest colors of 2012 (spicy persimmon, tried-and-true blue and modern gray), click here.

























