IN LIVING COLOUR

Ten of the best colourful bedrooms to draw inspiration from

- ROBYN ALEXANDER

Vitamin Sea

This Cape Town home boasts spectacular views of the ocean, and in almost every room, carefully chosen shades of blue add undercurrents of freshness to the space. The beautiful cerulean shade used in this bedroom was directly inspired by the work of South African artist Paul Senyol, creating the ideal backdrop for a vibrant mix of vintage furniture as well as fittings with brightly striped African textiles.

Be bold and brave

This room shows that you really can be fearless when mixing bright shades. The blue walls, sunny yellow bedding, grass-green rug, striped cushions and throw all work together well.

Because the look is all about bold colour, keep the lines of light fittings, lamps and furniture ultra-simple, even industrial in style.

Vintage pieces such as a mid-century side table and bamboo easy chair add a casual, lived-in element that plays up the room's sense of fun.

Stay Glassy

Taking its colour cues from the original stained-glass window, this bedroom in a renovated Paris apartment proves that a colourful space can be retro and elegant too.

Painting the recessed bookshelf and picture rail in a confident petrol blue, then complementing this with a bright yellow bolster and additional pops of colour in the form of artworks and objects makes for a playful and intriguing space.

Adapt to your features

If you are fortunate enough to have vintage architectural features in your home, use them to inspire and guide updates to a room.

Blue can be energising as well as restful - as can bright yellow - so use both with restraint to create a space in which it's possible to sleep well and wake up refreshed.

The black-and-white rug draped across the base of the bed is the ideal final touch to a bedroom that smartly and seamlessly combines graphic shapes with elements of softness.