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Lilac is an unusual and underrated color that’s packed with meaning and symbolism. When it comes to painting our homes, many of us opt for the blues, greens, and pinks, but lilac is all-too-often forgotten about, or reserved for kids' bedrooms.
But, done the right way, lilac can bring a tranquil and uplifting feel to your home, meaning soothing purple bedroom ideas are a great thing to consider. Lilac symbolizes hope, optimism, and looking towards the future. The color shares its name with lilac the flower, which has the shortest spring-time bloom period of just three weeks and is adorned with the most delicate lilac and pink-edged petals.
Lilac has come to represent the start of spring and the hope of a warmer season.‘Lilac has a spiritual, dreamlike quality, ’ says Marianne Shillingford at paint company, Dulux (opens in new tab). ‘In Buddhism and Hinduism, the sacred lilac lotus is a symbol of beauty, rebirth, and enlightenment.’
In 19th-century Europe, lilac was worn after black to indicate that you were in the final stages of mourning – another sign of moving forward and looking to the future.
So now you know a bit about the history and psychology of the color, how can you use it effectively in the home?
How and why to make lilac work in your home
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After the past few years, we’re all very ready to start looking ahead with hope and optimism, which explains perfectly why lilac has become such a big trend in both the fashion and interior design spheres. From chunky cardigans to cushions and from blazers to blankets, lilac is cropping up everywhere as a soft and pretty way to brighten our homes and wardrobes.
‘I think this color is going to continue to be a big trend in the year ahead,’ says Natasha Bradley, head of color at Lick (opens in new tab). ’Consumers are likely to gravitate towards a duskier or more blue-based purple in their homes, which will give more home-decorators the confidence to use the color.'
Although lilac is a soft and seemingly subtle colour, it is quite the statement, so see our tips for using it in a way that works for you.
1. Create a feature wall with lilac wallpaper
(Image credit: Sofa.com)
Combine the soothing shade of lilac with a calming nature inspired pattern, as seen with this wallpaper idea. Used behind the headboard of the understated Emilia bed from Sofa.com (opens in new tab), the wallpaper creates a focal point in the space. Lilac is used with off-whites and a hint of gold for a luxurious and elegant scheme.
2. Up the calm in your bathroom with lilac paint
(Image credit: Earthborn )
Lilac works especially well in a bathroom as a softer alternative to blue, and bathroom paint is a great, inexpensive way to bring this by the bucket load into your space. As an inherently cool shade, it's important to bring some warmth to your scheme, and the above bathroom painted in, Lily Lily Rose by Earthborn (opens in new tab), does that perfectly with wood. The rustic wooden stool and wooden and rattan chair bring a more rugged and homely feel to the otherwise crisp space.
4. Create a statement and use it all over
(Image credit: Carpetright )
If there's one color where you can go wild and use it all over your room, it's lilac. Used on all the walls and the floor, lilac becomes the blank canvas for other shades to pop against. In the above scheme by Carpetright (opens in new tab), the white sofa and marble coffee table, and the black armchair and lighting contrast perfectly with the lilac and brings an orderly and sophisticated feel.
5. Add warmth to the scheme with deep pink
(Image credit: Mustard Made)
You may think lilac and pink together would scream five year old girl's princess bedroom, but done the right way, it can work. This deep pink rug brings a richness and depth to the light and airy lilac wall, grounding the space and adding that all-important texture too. Avoid using lots of soft pink with lilac – this could become quite sickly sweet so always choose deeper shades for a starker contrast.
Another way to use lilac in a grown up way is to think about juxtaposing it with the materials and items it is used on. We love this locker from Mustard Made (opens in new tab) in a soft lilac that contrasts with its industrial style.
There are a couple of palettes that work really well with lilac. The one you choose will depend on whether you want to make a statement with lilac or use it as part of a calming scheme.
The bold palette
‘Complementary colors sit opposite one another on the color wheel and they’ll create high contrast when used together in your home,’ says Anne Haimes, founder and director at Anne Haimes Interiors (opens in new tab). ‘Opposite lilac is dark olive green, burnt orange, or vibrant lemon yellow, and these will work to bring warmth and depth to your scheme. A richer purple, forest green, and mustard yellow all work well to bring warmth and depth to a scheme too.
(Image credit: Future)
The neutral palette
'If you’re looking for a more neutral, muted color palette, pair lilac with soft sage green, light caramels, and earthy browns or greige,' Anna continues. The three neutral shades below will create a calming yet warm base and allow a lilac accent or feature wall to really do the talking.
(Image credit: Future)
What rooms will benefit from lilac?
It’s important to consider where your room faces in relation to the sun as this will determine the best shade and color palette to choose for your room. ‘Despite its pink hints, lilac is a color that lives on the cool side of the spectrum,so it doesn’t always work well in north-facing rooms,’ Shillingford explains.
The rules of decorating with lilac
Dos – Combine with greys and whites for a calming scheme – Use with warm shades in a north-facing room – Use contrasting colors to add impact
Don'ts – Combine with blues or reds – Be afraid to go all over – Forgot to add depth with woods, cottons and jute
'It can make the space appear cold unless you have great artificial lighting. Instead, use it in predominantly south-facing rooms and spaces with plenty of natural light,’ Shillingford continues.
If your heart is set on lilac and your room happens to face north, you can warm up the scheme with other colors. ‘In a north-facing room, balance out lilac with some additional heat, potentially using colors with a base of yellow or green,’ says psychologist and wellbeing consultant, Lee Chambers (opens in new tab).
This said, it's always best to try out paint colors before you buy them. Paint 12-inch squares onto all the walls you intend to paint. Then keep on checking in at different points in the day to see how the color looks in different lights. You might love the color in the afternoon sun, for example, but it may look too dark and dingy at night. Take your time – it's better to test 10 colors and find the right one, rather than paint your whole room and then realize you don't like it!
What are the best lilac paints?
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Heather Plum by Benjamin Moore (opens in new tab) At the deeper end of the lilac spectrum, Heather Plum has definite purple undertones, making this the ideal shade for pairing with a black and white palette.
Sugared Almond by Farrow & Ball (opens in new tab) As a slightly more gray and somewhat less striking lilac hue to choose, Sugared Almond is a great option for those looking to dip their feet into the shade, but who still don't want to go too bold.
Fresh Lilac by Yes Colours (opens in new tab) This shade is particularly light, airy and whimsical – a true lilac. Yes Colours is a new brand that was launched out of lockdown and is eco-friendly from production to packaging.
'If you're looking for a more neutral, muted color palette, pair lilac with soft sage green, light caramels, and earthy browns or greige,' Anna continues. The three neutral shades below will create a calming yet warm base and allow a lilac accent or feature wall to really do the talking.
Is lilac good for a living room? Delicate and soothing, lilac makes a good color for a relaxing living room. Conjuring scenes of pretty trailing wisteria and fields of lavender, it is perfect for bringing the beauty of nature into the home as well as a feminine touch to living spaces.
According to color psychology, the color lilac is frequently associated with qualities such as friendliness, open-minded, immaturity, and extroversion. The color is said to help reduce antisocial behavior and aggression by encouraging emotional expression.
Lilac can work well with many colors, including shades of green, orange, and yellow. Lilac colors also work amazingly well with shades of gray and other neutral colors like white. A light blue can also help to make lighter shades of lilac stand out more.
Lilac and grey work surprisingly well together; just play around with different shades and fabrics for an easy outfit formula that always works. Soft, feminine and undeniably cool, it's the easily replicable Instagram trend we love right now.
Lilac is a fresh, unexpected color that lends a playful, fun vibe to any room. We love Benjamin Moore's French Lilac because it's a rich tone that doesn't feel too saccharine. While this shade is lovely in a nursery or kid's bedroom, it also looks mature and can work well in a primary bedroom.
Gray is a popular neutral for any room in the house, but it looks particularly sophisticated in the living room. It is among the most popular living room colors. Blue is America's favorite color, so it's a no-brainer for the room that brings everyone together.
Cozy colors are saturated tones, and they tend to be dark shades of a warm hue, such as red, orange, and gold. A cozy color also can be a neutral, such as chocolate brown, caramel, fawn, or charcoal.
The most popular living room color is green—particularly greens inspired by the colors of nature. Designers love it because it is a soothing color that pairs well with soft neutrals, crisp whites, and a bevy of earthy greys, browns, and blues.
Lilacs are usually strongly associated with female traits, such as caring, emotion, and upbringing. According to color psychology, Lilac is considered to be a soothing color which can encourages emotional expression, because Lilac color can convey a gentle and calm feeling.
'Lilac specifically is also associated with hope and optimism, so it is good for alleviating feelings of stress and anxiety before heading off to sleep,' he says.
The lilac flower symbolizes innocence and purity. These beautiful flowers are also considered to be the symbol of initial love in the Asian, European, and American regions. In New Hampshire, many loves tend to give their partners a bouquet of beautiful lilacs on any happy occasion.
Let your lilac bask in the sun and it will be happy! Lilac plants prefer full sun and need at least 6 hours of it a day to grow well. When choosing a place to plant your lilac, make sure it is somewhere with enough sun. While lilac bushes need room to grow, but they can grow in a garden setting as well.
Lilac is a shade that especially suits Spring and Summer women. For both these colour schemes, wearing warm, soft, pastel tones such as lilac or lavender enhances their harmony.
It's a very calming hue, that much like pink does need something darker to ground it and give it a less saccharine quality. Hence why it works so well with navy blue.
Red and orange seem to be the clear winner when it comes to eye-catching colors. These colors tend to stand out and are therefore used on many warning signs or safety equipment. Yellow is another color that comes in a close second to red and orange in popularity.
The complementary opposite of lilac on the color wheel is yellow. This is why yellow and orange both pair well with lilac, creating a fresh spring feel for your creative designs.
Lilac is a gorgeous shade of purple with a slight pinkish hue. Like pink, lilac is versatile and can tone with many different colours. For a soft, cozy effect, consider matching lilac with cream, light blue and gold.
Lilac hues create a soft and romantic theme in bouquets, are stunning shades for shoes and dresses, and give donuts an enticing glaze. Purple and gold have never looked so good together!
What is the 60-30-10 Rule? It's a classic decor rule that helps create a color palette for a space. It states that 60% of the room should be a dominant color, 30% should be the secondary color or texture and the last 10% should be an accent.
According to the 60-30-10 rule, you should only use three colors in any room – although you can successfully incorporate many different tones of these three colors.
The best way to create a cohesive look is to follow the 60-30-10 rule — 60 percent dominant color, 30 percent secondary color and 10 percent accent color. To create a more relaxing vibe in a space, such as a bedroom, choose muted hues or cool tones. For a more energetic feel, go for more saturated hues or warm tones.
Gremillion explains: Happy colors are bright, warm colors like yellow, orange, pink and red. Pastel colors like peach, light pink or lilac can also have an uplifting effect on your mood. The brighter and lighter a color, the more happy and optimistic it will make you feel.
Blue promotes a feeling of calmness and serenity. It can also be linked to feelings of trust, stability, and dependability. One study by Travelodge found that households that have blue bedrooms received the best night's sleep compared to any other color.
However, a recent study has revealed that some tones are better left away from your bedroom walls. The study* surveyed more than 1,000 Americans to discover that yellow, brown, and beige are the three worst colors for your bedroom.
The Pantone Color Institute named Viva Magenta as its official color of the year for 2023 for its joyous yet powerful nature. A red with subtle notes of purple, magenta flawlessly complements many different color palettes from those on the richer, jewel-tone side of the spectrum to even a lighter, earthy palette.
Not only are the colours in this colour family cheerful, they are welcoming and fun, too. Choose a bright yellow or lime green to offset a more bland home colour and add a pop of personality to the front of your home.
So, what colors make a room look bigger? For an optimum effect, go with soft tones like off-white, blues, and greens, and always remember that brighter rooms feel bigger and more inviting. And here's another hack: Try painting your wall trim and moldings in a lighter color than your walls.
Here, designers, decorators, and color experts reveal why beige is replacing gray for 2023, and how to decorate with beige for a beautiful scheme every time.
With the latest 2023 color of the year announcement, soft, earthy shades of pink and clay take the lead as the most popular paint colors. Terra Rosa by Dunn-Edwards blends brown and burgundy for a rosy pink that works as both a grounding neutral and a delicate accent.
These classic hues include neutrals (blacks, creams, beiges), navy blue, and darker shades of green. These timeless interior design colors just never seem to go out of style, and are very safe choices for an ageless look.
Lilacs belong to the same family as the olive. The purple lilacs have the strongest scent compared to other colors. Lilacs are commonly used in soaps, perfumes and other cosmetics. Wood from the lilac tree is among the densest and can be used to make musical instruments, knife handles and more.
The lilac is a very popular ornamental plant in gardens and parks, because of its attractive, sweet-smelling flowers, which appear in early summer just before many of the roses and other summer flowers come into bloom.
Lilac is considered a feminine, graceful color. Its connection with flowers means it's often associated with romance and affection. Like other pastel shades, it can conjure innocence, youth or nostalgia.
For instance, red shades tend to trigger your stress response, making you more anxious, while lighter shades calm you down. If you are feeling overly stressed, you can use color as a stress management tool.
According to color psychology, the color lilac is frequently associated with qualities such as friendliness, open-minded, immaturity, and extroversion.
This first section of the poem introduces the three principal symbols of the poem — the lilac, the star, and the bird. They are woven into a poetic and dramatic pattern.
The story of lilac, according to Greek mythology, begins with a beautiful nymph named Syringa (lilac's botanical name). Captivated by her beauty, Pan, the god of the forests and fields, chased Syringa through the forest.
The ideal spot to plant lilacs is in an area with full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours per day)—give them too much shade and they may not bloom. Lilacs also like slightly alkaline, moist, well-drained soil. The best time to plant lilacs is in late fall before the ground freezes.
What colors go with lavender? Well, neutral colors like gray, smoke, and off-white are often the best ones to complement it. Lavender can turn around the depressing and muted impression of the cool neutrals. It also conveys a feeling of royalty and plush opulence with its subtle beauty.
Lilac and grey work surprisingly well together; just play around with different shades and fabrics for an easy outfit formula that always works. Soft, feminine and undeniably cool, it's the easily replicable Instagram trend we love right now.
Gold, copper, and yellow are colors that go with dark purple, imparting a regal ambiance. And lilac, pink, and white are colors that go with light purple for a softer, delicate feel or a space for a child.
Lilac is a gentle shade, so don't be afraid to wear it along with colors like mustard yellow, cobalt blue, or even emerald green. A deeper purple could also complement lilac. For example, wear a lilac long-sleeved blouse tucked into an emerald green skirt. Try pairing lilac shorts with a mustard yellow tee.
Lavender's sweet, fragrant flavor complements a range of foods, both sweet and savory. Ingredients lavender goes well with include strawberries, blueberries, pears, lemon, orange, honey, sage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, black pepper, and chocolate.
Lavender can work well with a lot of colors, these include neutral colors like white, gray, and even beige. Also, colors like yellow, green, pink, and other pastel shades go with lavender. You might also consider black and brown, which is a bolder choice for a color combination.
A soft lilac or even violet eyeshadow paired with hot orange lipstick creates a beautiful color contrast and is seriously flattering on almost any skin tone.
It's a very calming hue, that much like pink does need something darker to ground it and give it a less saccharine quality. Hence why it works so well with navy blue.
Bright orange and red are two examples of colors that can clash with purple and create a jarring and overwhelming space,' Artem Kropovinsky warns. 'Additionally, it's best to avoid pairing purple with too many other bold colors, as it can make the space feel overwhelming.
Compliment purple flowers with similar colors like pink-purple (magenta) or a blue-purple (violet) flowers. Combine purple purple with an opposite color, like yellow or yellow-orange.
This combination is one that really pops, so it's not for the faint of heart! Combining bold, saturated shades of each is one option, but it tends to be a bit much for most people.
What Makeup to Wear With a Purple Dress. Color theory would suggest pairing a purple dress with yellow or gold tones for a beautiful contrast, and we agree. If you're wearing a lavender shade, opt for a totally nude look with a pale gold eyeshadow.
Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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