A matching door gives the illusion of a larger wall.

Move away from the expected gallery-white art wall and saturate a single wall, including any doors and trim, in a bold, can’t-be-missed colour, like this cobalt blue. Carry the display across by painting out a door for a hidden-passage feel. A canary yellow settee cranks up the contrast and also draws attention away from the door.

See more rooms with colourful painted trims and rooms with jewel tones.

In this open-concept kitchen, a rustic maple table is paired with Gio Ponti’s Superleggera chairs and a mod pendant light.

Cabinets in Benjamin Moore’s Brittania Blue (1623) strike a modern, Scandinavian note. To get this crisp look for less, paint big-box store beadboard cabinets a strong hue for impact and forego upper cabinets in favour of open shelves housing pretty dishes.

See more photos of Alexandra and Eliot Angle’s gorgeous Cape Breton Island saltbox cottage in the June 2009 issue.

Patterned blue wallpaper makes a charming table runner in an otherwise streamlined space.

Custom-made Parson-style chairs are slightly lower than the average dining chair, so they can be used as extra seating in an adjacent living room. A modern chandelier adds sparkle.

A bright rug warms up a mid-century modern dining set.

This pre-fabricated luxury Nexterra home was assembled in just one day. Designer Laura Felstiner introduced colour to the modern interior through artwork, throw pillows and a bright blue rug. The LEED platinum certified prefab home was also outfitted with green features like cork, reclaimed wood furniture and finishes from recycled materials.

See more Blue Rooms in our photo gallery.

A pastel hue has a calming effect.

A reclaimed door makes a perfect dining table, and suits the wooden chairs and unfinished mantel perfectly. Use a colour in a piece of art to inspire wall paint.

A muted monochromatic palette allows the food to take centre stage.

In this country-style dining area, pretty white flowers mimic the delicate pattern in the wallpaper. A weathered wood cabinet with louvered doors and mismatched chairs add character while keeping the space casual.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of New French Country Style, Party-Ready Dining Rooms and Holiday Tables.

Pattern and seaside-inspired colour brings personality to this bright and airy space.

A daring mix of patterns used on the chair and bench cushions and carpet achieves a harmonious look in this sunny cottage breakfast room. The classic blue and white palette makes for a fresh, crisp aesthetic.

See more colour drenched rooms in our photo gallery.

Wallpapering behind open shelving adds character to any room.

Punchy teal-blue paint (a shade pulled from the wallpaper) makes a dramatic statement. White dishes and simple stainless steel hardware keep the cabinet from looking too cluttered.

A B.C. coastal home filled with breezy elegance.

This space bears all the hallmarks of Sarah Richardson’s signature style and richly detailed, decorative aesthetic. The formality of the traditional dining room is tempered by whimsical patterned wallpaper in Tiffany-box blue. The chandelier, a Murano glass design, is a pared-down version of a more traditional lighting fixture. A mirrored sideboard adds an element of sparkle.

Vote for your favourite dining rooms in our gallery, honouring House & Home’s 25th anniversary. See more pretty, Tiffany-inspired interiors in our photo gallery.

Warm wood accents and mismatched chairs update a formal dining room.

This room showcases “traditional design at its best,” according to Cassandra LaValle, author of the popular design blog, Coco + Kelley. “It’s a case study in how a monochromatic palette can be anything but boring! The juxtaposition of the chairs helps keep things from feeling too matchy while the grand chandelier, delicately shaped mirrors and simple artwork add beautiful finishing touches. I love the way the natural wood stands out against this saturated blue!”

See more of Cassandra’s favourite designs in our photo gallery.

A breezy white room is grounded with a blue rug.

A dramatic black chandelier adds contrast to this mostly white cottage. Accents of blue in the rug, throw pillows and armchair lend a fresh feel.

A one-of-a-kind coffee table offers a sculptural note.

Lively injections of turquoise and flora and fauna motifs are recurrent themes in designer Karen von Hahn’s formal living room. A shade of soft grey on the walls and couch keeps the overall look polished.

Find more inspiration in our Traditional Living Rooms photo gallery.

Reenergize a hallway or room by hanging striped wallpaper horizontally in the space below the chair rail, a trick that helps make narrow rooms feel wider.

To ensure an even look, position the paper so the lowest and highest stripes are the same colour; install the painted chair rail after the wallpaper has been hung. Then, match the wall’s paint colour to the stripe.

See more rooms with colourful painted trims in our photo gallery.

Glass, mirror and rattan mix beautifully in this boho-chic sitting area.

A white sofa and faux-bois lamp look fresh against a deep-blue wall. A Moorish tile rug and painted rattan chairs create a global, eclectic atmosphere.

Swooping wicker chairs are like functional sculpture in this sitting area.

A maple window seat topped with a series of colourful cushions runs the width of the room, offering both seating and storage. Calm-blue walls, a patterned rug and a cable-knit pouf add colour and texture.

Cool-blue custom chairs by Sarah Richardson Design strike an elegant note in this living room design.

In the home of Andrea Lenczner of the fashion label Smythe, this space epitomizes personal style. The painting is by friend Michael Adamson, the collection of vases was a gift and the silver Arne Jacobson ashtray is a vintage piece.

A vibrant blue cotton rug and pillow liven up a sophisticated sitting area.

The high-gloss white mantel pops against a grey feature wall, painted one shade darker than the rest of the room to create depth. On-trend decorating touches, such as the zebra ottoman, vintage lamps with black shades and book-stuffed fireplace, add character.

See the rest of this quaint living room in the 2008 Makeovers special issue.

A boldly printed rug by Fedora Design adds punch to an otherwise serene room.

Designer Muriel Brandolini designed this Southampton home with clouds and water in mind. In the media room, she chose a Slice sofa by Pierre Charpin upholstered in cashmere colors inspired by men’s suits.

See more Muriel Brandolini Designs in our photo gallery.

An eclectic room with mix and match colours.

Use colour-blocking to inject scale and character into a featureless room. Paint walls and baseboards a pale, powdery hue, then mimic old world moulding by taping out panels in the middle of each wall and painting these a darker shade of the base colour to create a sense of dimension.

See more Blue Rooms in our photo gallery.

This pretty bedroom design features graphic bedding, wooden side table lamps and eclectic furniture.

A tall bamboo screen, spray-painted bright blue, replaces a headboard and adds interest to the wall while pulling the eye upwards, emphasizing the room’s high ceilings.

Industrial elements with cosy accents.

Traditional furniture and accessories are given an industrial feel with an exposed brick wall and pipes along the ceiling, while a fresh mix of blue and beige floral, trellis and herringbone patterned bedding add comfort and warmth.

Antique doors make for a rustic headboard.

Aqua-blue and green accents, a cosy throw, delicate bedside table lamps, a pastel striped rug and a pale blue coverlet and hat boxes soften the rustic wood and wicker elements.

Sleek furniture and a one-of-a-kind feature wall give this room timeless appeal.

One of our favourite decorating ideas for bliss in the bedroom: A hand-painted silk wallcovering adds a feminine touch behind a contemporary headboard. Mix-and-match bedding draws on the rug’s soothing palette of taupes, robin’s egg blue and chocolate brown.

A pretty and traditional main-floor bath.

With its petite sconces, subtle tree-print wallpaper and streamlined vanity, this powder room has a delicate and uncluttered appeal. Chrome accents bring a little sparkle to the compact room.

For more ideas, check out our gallery of 20 Small Bathrooms.

A shapely white sink and silver fixtures pop against a blue wall.

Add rich texture to any space by transforming mundane walls into works of art. Intricate details such as these Blue Bisazza glass mosaic tiles create sparkle in this stunning modern bathroom.

For more beautiful en suite bathrooms, see our photo gallery.

A cheerful yet calm sanctuary.

East meets West in this bright and breezy bathroom that brings together eclectic elements such as a ceramic Buddha, modern ottoman, and fibreglass clawfoot tub for a relaxing, spa-like feel.