How to Update a Colonial Style Home Interior

When it comes to updating the interior of a colonial style home, painting is one of the easiest and most cost efficient ways to give the space a new look. From light pastels to bold colors, there are many ways to transform the walls and bring the space up to date with trendy colors.

Choosing colors that evoke a colonial feel and complement existing furnishings is key to achieving a cohesive look.

How to Update a Colonial Style Home Interior

When considering paint for a colonial style home interior, it’s important to keep in mind that muted and earthy tones are the dominant preference. A warm, inviting palette is best, with a focus on simple neutrals such as whites, beige tones, and light grays, accented by suggestive pastels like soft greens or blues.

Shade variations of the same color family can create subtle depths and highlights throughout your space. Stay away from high-intensity hues and deep vibrant colors. Choose more subdued tones within each color family to allow consistency throughout the space and enhanced drama. Examples of muted colors that fit this style include:

• Pale shades of yellow such as creamier or brighter yellows like buttercream;
• Blues such as dusty powder blues or light smoky cerulean greys;
• Greens including sage green or olive drab;
• Purples that are often dusky lilacs or lavenders;
• Pinks such as pale blush or rosy salmon;
• Earthy oranges that range from pumpkin tone to copper bronze;
• Peachy reds including crimson tangerine;
• Soft browns like latte or almond also used to add depth without overwhelming your room decor.

Choose an appropriate paint finish for your home which should generally be semi-gloss or eggshell depending on the room’s function. Paint with a semi-gloss finish is ideal for high traffic areas since it reflects light better than other paints and can make a small area seem brighter while taking less effort than glossier paints to keep clean due to its durability against dirt and smudges.

Paint walls and trim in the same color

When it comes to accessorizing a colonial style home interior, one of the most effective ways to create an authentic feel is by painting both walls and trim in the same color. When painted in a single, cohesive color, the two elements will blend harmoniously for a classic look.

Ideally in a colonial style home, you want to stay away from bright and outrageous shades of paint and instead stick with muted tones like soft hues of tan, beige or off-white. These colors will better complement the look of an older colonial home along with furnishings from that era.

Consider painting the ceiling a light color

Painting the ceiling a lighter hue is one way to add an elegant, polished touch to a colonial style home interior. While traditional colonial fixtures often feature deep hues or dark-colored woodwork, painting the ceiling in a lighter shade helps open up the space and gives it more dimension. Whether you go with classic ivory shades or bolder colors such as aqua, light colors on the ceiling of your colonial-style home can make your room appear larger and brighter, while still staying true to its traditional elements.

When choosing colors to paint the ceiling of a colonial style home interior, it’s best to stick with colors in the same families as other colors used in the room. For example, if you choose navy blue for your walls and golden accents for your furniture and trimming, opt for light shades of yellow or cream for your ceiling color – this will help create fluidity between all elements and create a unified look.

Painting the trim around your window frames or baseboards in crisp white can also help draw focus back up to lighter ceilings and enhance any space with its fresh simplicity. If you have existing crown moldings – white can provide some contrast by creating a sharp line between wall colors and ceilings too – making them appear separate and distinct from each other.

No matter what type of color scheme you choose for your traditional-style room, adding some light colored paint on the ceiling is sure to bring out its unique charm while tying everything together beautifully.

Furniture

Furniture can be an essential part of updating a colonial style home interior. Classic pieces, such as wingback chairs, club chairs, and wide four poster beds, can be used to create a look that is both comfy and reminiscent of the period. Additionally, paneled and planked furniture can be used to bring a sense of authenticity to the interior. To complete the look, add a distressed finish and classic accessories.

Let’s take a look at some of the furniture pieces you should consider when creating a colonial style home interior:

Choose furniture with clean lines

When choosing furniture for a colonial style home interior, it is important to stay consistent with the subtle, clean lines that define the era. Pieces can vary in shape and size, but should come together with complementary colours and materials.

Choose pieces that are slightly more delicate compared to furniture in other styles, as well as lighter tones of wood such as maple or pine. Upholstered seating should be tailored and free of patterns. For example, traditional upholstered chairs may appear angular with deeply curved backs or legs that fan out below the seat. When selecting tables or chests of drawers, look for ones adorned with plain brass hardware whose ornately twisted lever handles or bail pulls have a hint of Baroque-inspired design. And don’t forget about soft lighting; this includes shaded table lamps from the 1800s featuring chunky ceramic bases topped by parchment shades trimmed in gold leaf threads.

In traditional Colonial style rooms, area rugs anchor furniture pieces together chosen in colors such as brick reds and earthy greens; pale blues and warm yellows typical of oriental rugs enhance but never overwhelm.

Choose furniture made of natural materials

For many years, colonial style home interiors have prioritized furniture that was made of natural materials like wood, cane and wicker. This type of furniture continues to be popular today because of its classic appeal and easy incorporation into any home decor.

Whether you opt for custom-made pieces dyed in a range of colors and finishes or choose off-the-shelf items, look for furniture that is solid and well built. When selecting furniture made from natural materials, it is important to ensure the quality of the construction. Many wildlife pieces are ornately carved with intricate detailed designs on the legs and arms. Gently curved lines are also common characteristics of colonial furniture, giving it a classic charm while still providing immediate comfort when you enter a room.

In addition to traditional woods such as mahogany and cherry, you may also want to consider options like seagrass or rattan for an eco-friendly option with a unique look. These materials are light yet strong and can be used to create aesthetically pleasing pieces that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Natural stones like slate have an earthy elegance that blends seamlessly into most Colonial home interiors.

Finally, don’t forget about accessories such as throws and pillows typically seen in this style home decor to finish off your look. Whether you are focused on creating an authentic colonial interior or just wanting to bring some elements of this distinctive style into your own home design, make sure you select quality pieces that will provide both beauty and function over time.

Use furniture with a colonial style

To create a classic colonial-style home interior, use furniture with clean lines and furniture that is made of dark woods such as mahogany or oak. Younger colonial-style homes will often incorporate simple pieces in white painted wood.

Dining room tables typically have extended ends to accommodate more guests, and chairs often have curved backs and armrests. Chests, including blanket chests, can be placed in the center of a room for function and decoration. Chairs with upholstered cushions may also be used to provide additional seating or comfort in living areas.

Doors tend to feature raised panels or intricate carvings while staircase banisters are elegantly turned in traditional-style homes. Fireplaces often serve as the focal point of a room and usually contain a mantel that has been colorfully decorated. Mantels may be detailed with carvings or molded trim designs, creating visual appeal and elegance.

Lighting

When it comes to updating a colonial style home interior, lighting is a great place to start. Lighting fixtures are a great way to add a modern touch to your colonial style while still keeping the classic and timeless elements of the style intact. There are a variety of lighting options available to you, ranging from statement chandeliers to more simple wall sconces. Each option can bring a different style, texture, and feel to the room.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular lighting options for a colonial style interior:

Use natural light whenever possible

When decorating a home in the colonial style, it is important to leverage as much natural light as possible for the most authentic feel. Instead of relying on electric lighting, locate your furniture, rugs, and artwork near windows to take advantage of the sunlight available. Depending on your climate and season, adjust window treatments accordingly to both capture natural light during the day and retain warmth during cool evenings.

The heating benefits of south-facing windows can be especially enjoyed during colder months while east-facing windows can provide you with the most benefit in sunrise illumination. West-facing windows will give you that golden afternoon light that creates a tranquil environment ideal for relaxation. Natural light can also be diffused through skylights or solar tubes in areas where direct sunlight is not available.

If electric lighting is needed to supplement your home’s natural lighting arrangement, stick with simple overhead lights or lanterns that capture the spirit of colonial style. Incorporating indoor candles into the design is an inexpensive and effective way to highlight specific decorative pieces while still evoking a very specific charm reflective of colonial homes.

Choose simple lighting fixtures

When choosing lighting fixtures for a colonial style home interior, it is important to keep it simple. Look for lighting fixtures that feature clean lines and classic shapes, such as lanterns or orbs. Many of these styles can be found in a variety of materials, such as brass, bronze, and nickel.

If you are looking for something more ornate and decorative, choose fixtures that involve intricate details and finishes. For example, candelabras or Sconces are popular choices for classic colonial interiors lighting decor. Another option is to seek out rustic-style light fixtures that feature distressed metal with intricate designs and plenty of detail which provide the perfect accent to your traditional colonial home.

Always try to maintain the look of simplicity instead of overwhelming an interior with too many light fixtures or decorative accents that clash with the overall look you’re trying to achieve.

Choose sconces or wall lamps for added lighting

Sconces and wall lamps are effective ways to add additional lighting to a colonial style home interior. Wall lamps, often called wall sconces, typically hang from a side bracket or a high mahogany mounting plate. Wall sconces come in many styles and finishes and they allow you to illuminate key areas within the room. They are available in a variety of materials such as wood, metal, wrought iron, crystal and ornaments.

One advantage of sconces is that they can be connected either directly to the wall outlet or via an extension cord or a light switch in order to access them easily when needed. Wall lamps feature various designs – some contain just one bulb while others can provide multiple sources of ambient light by fitting two bulbs within each fixture. Most wall lamps are equipped with shades; this allows you to customize the level of lighting depending on your preferences.

When selecting sconces for colonial style interiors it is best to consider the size of the room in order for them to complement other elements of the décor, such as windows and doorways, without making it look overly cluttered or too small for comfortability. It is also important to make sure that you purchase fixtures that offer adjustable light levels so that it is easier for you to adjust their brightness accordingly when needed.

Flooring

Flooring is one of the most important aspects of updating a colonial style home interior. From hardwood to tile, there are many different types of flooring that can be used to give a colonial interior an updated look. Furthermore, the look and feel of the flooring can be further enhanced with different types of rugs or carpets.

Let’s take a look at the various flooring options available for updating a colonial style home interior: