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Ombré Interiors

Every season the fashion trends we see on the catwalk filter down into home furnishings and accessories and influence the colours we use to furnish our homes and slap on our walls. One trend that made a huge impact this summer was ombré.

 

Where have I seen this trend before?

If it sounds familiar it could be because it’s been embraced by the fashion-conscious as a hair colouring technique this season. You’ll have seen it on the well-groomed heads of fashionistas, celebrities and the like. And if you’re a fan of the Great British Bake Off, then you’ll remember Ugne trying to explain what an ombré tiered cheesecake was to a bemused Paul and Mary in Dessert Week.

 

For those of you who are still at a loss as to what ombré actually is, essentially it describes the smooth graduation of a dark colour into a light colour.

 

How to apply the ombré trend to your interiors

Interiors have seen the ombré trend applied to walls, floors, tiling and textiles. From paint effects and wallpapers, to cushions, rugs, bedding and lighting, the ombré effect can be fun and quirky, as well as sophisticated and calming.

 

The easiest way to recreate this trend in your home is through furnishings and accessories. You’ll find an abundance of items available that can add a dash of ombré to your decor.

 

For those of you who like a project, why not create the ombré effect with tiling? Perfect for both kitchens and bathrooms, this pleasing effect can look ultra sophisticated and contemporary.

 

And for those of you who are handy with a paintbrush, the ombré effect can easily be applied to key areas of your home including walls, floors, stairs and even furniture. If you fancy painting your wall or floor, these essential tips will help you do just that.

 

When selecting your paint colours, either opt for just a light and a dark version of your chosen colour for a simple effect, or choose several tones in between to create a more gradual transition from dark to light.

 

Once you’ve applied your chosen colours, the key to achieving the gradual transition of dark into light is blending. To combine the colours, use a combination of diagonal, upward and criss-cross strokes until you’re happy with the result. Light rollering also helps to perfect the graduated look.

 

Now if the task of blending fills you with horror, a simple way to get to grips with the ombré trend is to paint areas that don’t require blending to achieve the desired graduation.

 

For ombré stairs, paint either the balustrades or the steps in graduating tones of the colour of your choice.

 

 

For ombré-styled furniture, the individual drawers of a chest of drawers lend themselves perfectly to being painted in graduated tones without the need for blending.

 

 

For another take on the trend, a set of chairs can be painted in dark to light tones of the same colour and arranged accordingly to give the desired effect.

 

For those of you who would rather not get your hands dirty at all, this wallpaper delivers the ombré look without the hard labour – especially if you get someone else to hang it for you.

 

So there you have it, several fun and creative ways to inject the ombré trend into your home. Of course, you could just bake a cake.