10 Ways to Refresh with Color

1 -Nature's Palette

This nearly neutral room stays warm year-round with touches of sunny yellow, watery blue, and grass green. The sedate background is a smart long-term choice since the room can be updated in a snap with just a change in accessories.

2 -Warm and Cool Mix

Creamy yellow is paired with steely blue in this cozy yet sophisticated kitchen. Notice the pleasing rhythm that's created as the eye moves between the yellow upper cabinets and the island? The kitchen would be far less fetching if the cabinetry were a uniform color.

3 - Fresh Take

Red, white, blue...and pink? Sometimes the reward is worth the risk! Avoid creating pleasant but predictable rooms by taking a chance on a wildcard color now and again. Here, red and pink mingle in the accent pillows, and the blue trellis-patterned wallpaper makes an interesting backdrop for the pink headboard.

4 -Soft Spoken

Fresh color doesn't always mean bright color. This living room evokes a warm and welcoming mood with plush, familiar furniture and a subtle -- and surprisingly sophisticated -- palette of grayed pastels. The geometry of the classic white paneling accentuates the curvy shapes and hushed colors of the furnishings.

5 -Accessorize the Bath

Many people don't think of decorating their bathroom beyond a few guest towels. This oversight can result in a white tile cell with a clinical feel. Luckily, a white background pops with virtually any color. This modest little room is transformed into a charming sanctuary with a casual mix of quaint textiles and a romantic gilt mirror.

6 -All Mixed Up

Aqua, orange, lime, and white -- only the most fearless decorator would attempt that scheme. But some color combos look way better than they sound, if applied with a deft touch. Here, all the colors are united in the terrific rug, and the white furniture and simple window shades give the eyes a place to rest.

7 -Draw the Eye

Painting one wall an eye-catching color is a fast and effective way to create a focal point. Here, the sweet fuchsia color could have turned sickly if applied to the whole room. By limiting the violet tint to one wall and contrasting it with the complementary yellow headboard, the bed takes center stage.

8 -It's All in the Accessories

Wouldn't this colorful nook be a happy spot from which to launch your day? Looking closely, the space is really very neutral, with white and beige furniture, and walls that just whisper of yellow. The vignette's outgoing personality stems from the fresh blue, red, pink, and green accents strewn across the surfaces.

9 -Limelight

Imagine this room with exactly the same furniture and accessories -- except the bed frame is stained brown or painted white. Sure, the bedding is still chic and there's the stylish striped bench, but the space would have no oomph, no attitude. Sometimes all a room needs is one bold stroke of color for it to morph from dreary to dramatic.

10 -Fresh and Crisp

The sharp, classic combo of blue and white is a perennial crowd-pleaser. The addition of lemon yellow with twists of lively green gives this charming nook a fresh and modern point of view. The daring mix of color and pattern is grounded by soft walls, a wood floor, and clean white accents.