Love your basic decorating scheme but need to give it a fast face-lift before holiday season brings a crowd of visitors to your home? The quickest way to transform is to layer on accent colors. You can boost a safe but boring neutral scheme by adding a splash of bright red or orange. Too much color? Tame a favorite bold shade with a calming counter-color. Want to soften a stark white room? Add colorful, feminine accents of pink or teal. Whichever color you choose, mix in accessories in striking shapes and feel-good textures to give your freshened decor an extra uplift.

Boost a boring scheme. Lend warmth to a bland dining area with accessories in vibrant colors.
 

• Keep fabric fresh. Be bold with eye-catching curtains. An interesting print will liven up the room.
• Put rustic pieces in place. Choose country touches that will encourage you to sit over a second cup of coffee. Gather pretty wire shelves and woven baskets to set the mood.
• Choose deeper neutrals. Time to repaint? Use a fawn shade on walls for a warmer welcome than cream. It will provide a nice contrast with white or pale furniture.

Additional tips:
 

• Splashes of robust red — striped pillows or storage tins — will add instant cheer.
• Liven up the room with patterned curtains.
• Choose a functional shelf with decorative details.

Tone down bold colors. Don’t overwhelm your entryway by going floor-to-ceiling with a very strong color — balance a striking shade with complementary neutrals.

Temper bold blue with a soft honeyed gold. Ensure that the mood you set is lively yet not too loud by partnering a cheery sea tone with a warm, neutral shade.

Go for graphic flooring. Choose dramatic black and white checkerboard tiles to stand up to bright walls.

Incorporate natural textures. Woven baskets, soft pillows and other such accessories soften cool, bold colors such as a bright blue.

Pick the perfect partner for a bold color
 

• Team a vibrant yellow with a bright white.
• Balance a full-bodied red with heavy cream.
• Match a deep eggplant shade with biscuit.

Soften a stark white space. Make it pretty, not plain, by adding feminine floral prints and bright sorbet shades.
 

• Balance pretty prints with solid colors. Avoid an overly fussy look by mixing patterned pillows or comforter covers with simply hung shades in a single color and plain accessories.
• Add sweet touches. Fresh flowers or a cute candle lamp are lovely.
• Keep the feeling of space. Choose classic white furniture that will appear to fade into white walls.

Additional tips:
 

• Add a fun candle lamp.
• Stick to white furniture in classic shapes.
• Snuggle up in a pretty comforter.
• Keep a contemporary feel with drapes in a single color.
• Furnish your bedroom with white furniture and linens. Then bring in subtle color using pattern.