Add a splash of color without painting

As the days get shorter with the approach of fall, and less sunshine brightens the indoors even in Southern California, now is the time to lighten up at least a few rooms of the house. Some homeowners pick up paintbrushes to try and make their homes more colorful, but renters don’t have that option. Paint is not necessary to give an interior facelift to a house.

Here are a few paint-free ways to add some splashes of color to one’s surroundings this fall.

• Bringing nature inside is an easy way to add color. Whether one visits local nurseries like Myrtle Creek or Madd Potter, flowers and plants can add a splash of color to a home’s interior. Fragrant flowers can also make a stuffy house a lot more pleasant when it is too cold to open the windows. Live plants and flowers also improve indoor air quality.

Several studies, including one published in the Journal for the American Society for Horticultural Science, have shown that houseplants improve indoor air quality by filtering out volatile organic compounds, (VOCs), which can be harmful to the inhabitants’ health.

• An inexpensive home makeover can be achieved by investing in some colorful throw pillows or other bright accessories. When the drab days of winter set in and nighttime comes early, rooms in neutral colors can be depressing. Instead of buying new furniture, an easy way to add color is to buy new accessories in vibrant colors to brighten a room. Colorful throw pillows, vases and other decorations in contrasting patterns can be mixed and matched to transform a room and create a cheerful environment.

Local thrift shops like St. Vincent de Paul and the Senior Center Thrift Shop can be a good source for those items that can liven up a home without costing a lot of money.

• Using wallpaper in one room or just on one wall can add interest to any room. While many people prefer paint to wallpaper, anyone who wants a less permanent solution to brighten up their home can consider removable wallpaper. This paper is less expensive than traditional wallpaper, and many do-it-yourselfers, find removable wallpaper is easy to both install and remove.

Even renters can try this one and can choose a colorful pattern that can turn a plain wall into the focal point of a room. Because removable wallpaper does not cost a lot of money, a person can experiment with various colors or change things patterns each month if they want to.

• Adding some artwork can also brighten a room. Instead of painting a wall, one can hang colorful art on it instead. Paintings in bold colors add an eye-catching accent to a room and can complement the other similar or contrasting accessories around it as well.

Wall art, picture frames and candy dishes can be found at Fallbrook Furniture among other businesses in town, while the many art galleries including Fallbrook Art Center offer original works of art for a range of prices. An alternative for creative residents is to take a class at Fallbrook School of the Arts and create their own one-of-a-kind accessory in their favorite colors to add even more interest to their homes.

• Adding color can also apply to floors. A patterned throw rug can also brighten a room without much effort or financial investment. Apartment dwellers especially can look for colorful floor rugs that don’t clash with their existing furnishings. Homeowners also have the option of replacing their carpeting in one or more rooms to lighten the overall look. Windows & More in downtown Fallbrook has a range of choices in carpeting and wood flooring.

Homes tend to darken in late fall, but residents can brighten their homes in various ways, even if they prefer not to paint.