How to use purple in interior design
Wednesday, 18 May 2011 1:47 PM
In the second instalment of our colours mini-series, interior designer Eliska Sapera discusses how to use purple when decorating your home, explaining which rooms to use different shades in and the colours that best complement various tones of purple.
Purple has always been associated with power, having been worn by royalty as far back as the Roman times. However, in interior design, it can also convey warmth, intimacy or calm depending on the shades you use and what other colours you team it with.
Red-ish purples like aubergine are not easy to use in home decor, but when used correctly they are stunning. If you do decide to take the plunge, you need to embrace the drama wholeheartedly. By mixing purple pigment into the plaster you’ll get a particularly rich textural effect, which will be enhanced if you then coat it with a layer of varnish, creating a slight sheen and an even greater depth of colour. Team aubergine walls with a dark wood floor for a stunningly sophisticated result.
Warmer purples make rooms feel comfortable and warm. They are ideal for dining rooms as they create an intimate, relaxing environment in which to consume food and wine. Equally, purple can help to boost children’s imaginations, so using it in the playroom or kids’ bedrooms can work well.
Cool purples such as lilac, which ranges from blue-ish shades to grey, are much more subtle. Lilac is an ideal colour for a study – remember to paint the radiators the same colour to enhance its soothing effect.
Lavender, a slightly warmer variation, goes well with chocolate brown and mustard, and also with natural shades of silvery green as this mimics the colour of lavender leaves. Lavender’s warm tone means that it works very well in the bedroom.
If you’re looking to add touches of purple to the bedroom without redecorating, place warm purple throws or blankets on the bed or over your chair to create a sense of cosiness. Cashmere or very fine murino are perfect for this.
Throws, from £150, Eliska.
In terms of furniture and accessories, aubergine works beautifully on lush velvet sofas and chairs. It also looks great on satin cushion covers. Complementary colours to aubergine include deep fuchsia and lime green.
Teaming bright, jewel-like shades of purple with emerald green also makes for a striking combination.
Eliska Sapera is an interior designer with over 25 years’ experience and a gorgeous shop named Eliská. She was formerly the exhibition director of the British Interior Design Association (now known as the British Institute of Interior Design).
Main image credit: Left wall, Sophisticated Sage; Back wall, Pressed Thistle; Dressing room, Breton Blue. Dulux’s Timeless Classics range is available from B&Q with a RRP of £20.99 for 2.5L.
Find out how to decorate using blue
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