Many people hesitate to decorate with bright colours – but at the same time dream of a home filled with colourful walls and furniture. To help persuade you to take that first step towards a more brightly decorated home, have a look at these eight inspiring Swedish houses.

1. A protruding wallpaper 

In the many television programmes she has featured in giving Swedish homes a makeover as well as her own, decorator Isabelle McAllister likes to experiment with colour and patterns. Her last apartment at Bondegatan 7 in Stockholm, which we can see a glimpse of in this picture, was filled with beautiful colours and patterns – both in the children's room and the living room.

Photo: Isabelle McAllister – Hitta bilder av eklektiska barnrum

2. Yellow is not mellow

This spectacular villa located on the Drottningholm estate in Stockholm is gilded with colours like yellow, blue, and red. The home itself is a cultural heritage that has gradually been renovated and restored for future generations. Original details such as tiled stoves from Rörstrand, wooden floors, ornament woodwork, and beautiful salons are the main characteristics of this place.

Photo: Wrede Fastighetsmäkleri

3. Bring colour into your kitchen

The home doesn’t have to be crammed with different colours and patterns; a colourful eye-catcher is more than enough. Just look at this cottage from the 1960s, where they have chosen sky-blue cupboard doors in the kitchen along with a light floor and white tiles.

Photo: Loft Stockholm – Hitta bilder av skandinaviska kök

4. Decorate using colourful details

Another interior designer who loves using colour is Myrica Bergqvist. She has decorated her small 44 square metre apartment with colourful details, all with their very own story.

Photo: Myrica Bergqvist Interior Stylist/Decorator – Mer foton av eklektiska matplatser

5. White walls as the base

White walls are perfect to have as a base if you like to change the decor at home. In this family home at Telefonplan in Stockholm, patterned wallpapers and colourful furniture spice it all up.

Photo: Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly – Bläddra igenom bilder av retro vardagsrum

6. Colour is right in the children's room

Children like colour, so use that as your opportunity to let your imagination and colours flow freely. “As a natural part of children's appetite for discovery, they choose colour before white. And if the older children are to decide, they happily choose colour as well,” says Samuel West from the literature study Barns kreativitet och färgpreferenser (Children's creativity and colour preferences).

Photo: The Way We Play – Upptäcka idéer för eklektiska barnrum

7. Brighten up all spaces

Bright colours fit well in both large and small spaces. Just look at this little apartment of only 28 square metres. Here, the light base has been brightened up by orange and yellow accents, creating a beautiful contrast.

Photo: Nadja Endler | Photography – Upptäcka idéer för moderna allrum

8. Look down

Colourful floors are becoming more and more popular, mainly in the bathroom. Be inspired by this beautiful room where the floor has become its crown jewel.

Photo: DAP stockholm AB – Upptäcka inredningsidéer för skandinaviska toaletter

Get more inspiration in The Local's Homes section

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