🌈 How to Use Colourful Ornaments and Vases to Brighten Your Home

In a world of grey sofas and minimalist white walls, a splash of colour can do wonders. Whether it's a bold ceramic vase or a playful ornament on the shelf, colourful home accessories are the easiest way to bring personality and warmth to your space — without a full makeover.

At Furnt, we believe it’s the little things that make a big difference. Thoughtfully placed vases and eye-catching ornaments are more than just decorative — they can lift your mood, express your style, and tie a room together.

Whether you’re styling a sideboard, refreshing your hallway, or adding interest to a neutral space, here’s how to use colourful accessories the clever way — for a home that feels fresh, vibrant, and unmistakably you.

🎨 Start with a Colour Palette You Love

Before picking out colourful vases or bold ornaments, take a moment to assess your space. Are your walls neutral? Is your furniture mostly in soft tones? If so, you’re in luck — a muted backdrop gives you the perfect canvas for vibrant accents.

Think rich cerulean blue, warm saffron yellow, or a soft dusty rose. These hues can instantly lift a room and add warmth without overwhelming it.

Use the timeless 60-30-10 rule for balance:

• 60%: Your dominant colour — typically the walls and larger furniture pieces
  
  

• 30%: A secondary shade — think curtains, rugs, or statement chairs
  
  

• 10%: Your accent colour — the fun part! Ornaments, vases, artwork, or scatter cushions
  
  

💡 Top tip from Furnt: Choose one or two accent colours and echo them across different rooms. It creates visual cohesion and a more polished, designer feel.

🏺 Vases: More Than Just Flower Holders

Vases aren’t just for bouquets — they’re one of the easiest and most impactful ways to add colour, shape, and personality to a room. Whether filled with blooms or styled solo, a well-chosen vase can elevate your entire space.

Here’s how to style colourful vases like a pro:

• Make an entrance: Place a tall, statement vase on your hallway console to create an instant focal point.
  
  

• Create visual rhythm: Group three vases in different heights, shapes, or tones on a sideboard or shelf for a curated look.
  
  

• Add tactile contrast: Choose textured ceramic, speckled stoneware, or ribbed glass for added dimension and visual interest.
  
  

• Play with light: Position coloured glass vases in windows where they’ll catch natural sunlight and cast playful reflections.
  
  

• Layer in personality: Use vases to reflect the seasons — fresh flowers in spring, dried grasses in autumn, or festive branches in winter.
  
  

💡 Furnt tip: A vase doesn’t need flowers to make an impact. Let its form, colour, or texture do the talking — it’s like sculpture with a purpose.

🖼️ Layer with Meaningful Ornaments

Colourful ornaments aren’t just decorative — they add layers of personality to your home. Whether it’s a ceramic bowl from a market trip, a bold sculpture, or a hand-painted trinket, these small details bring soul and story to your space.

Here’s how to style them intentionally:

• Group in odd numbers: Arranging ornaments in threes or fives feels more organic and visually balanced.
  
  

• Mix materials and finishes: Combine wood, glass, ceramic, and metal to add depth and texture. A matte sculpture next to a glossy vase creates contrast that feels curated, not chaotic.
  
  

• Use trays to anchor your pieces: Placing items on a tray or stack of books helps define them as a set, especially on coffee tables or sideboards.
  
  

• Let your pieces breathe: Avoid overcrowding. Negative space helps your favourite finds stand out and keeps the overall look feeling calm and considered.
  
  

🎯 Design tip: Rotate your ornaments seasonally or whenever you feel like a refresh — small changes can make a big impact.

🌿 Brighten and Zone Your Home Naturally

In open-plan or minimalist homes, colourful accessories like ornaments and vases aren’t just decorative — they’re functional. Use them to define spaces, create flow, and add warmth without bulky furniture.

Here’s how to do it well:

• Zone with colour: A bold vase on your dining table can subtly separate eating areas from lounging zones, while a colourful ceramic on a console table naturally draws the eye down a hallway.
  
  

• Create cohesion with texture: Repeat your chosen colour palette across a variety of materials — think a mustard velvet cushion, a honey-toned glass vase, and a sandy ceramic pot. This repetition unifies your space while keeping it visually interesting.
  
  

• Layer tones thoughtfully: Too many colours can feel chaotic. Instead, work within a family of tones (like warm reds and terracottas or cool blues and greys) for harmony.
  
  

🎯 Styling insight: Even the smallest pop of colour — a glazed teal jug or sunshine-yellow bowl — can lift a room and give it direction.

🪴 Switch It Up with the Seasons

One of the easiest ways to refresh your home throughout the year? Rotate your colourful vases and ornaments with the seasons. These small, adaptable accents make a big visual impact — no major makeover required.

Here’s how to do it:

• Spring/Summer: Opt for soft, airy shades like blush pink, mint green, sky blue, or lemon yellow. Pair them with light ceramics or clear glass to reflect brightness and freshness.
  
  

• Autumn/Winter: Embrace deeper tones like rust orange, forest green, mustard, and rich amber. Matte textures and earthy finishes add extra warmth and comfort.
  
  

🌟 Style tip: Keep a small rotation of decorative accessories in storage and swap them out every few months — it’s an affordable, feel-good way to keep your home in tune with the seasons.

💭 Final Thoughts: It’s the Little Things

Bringing colour into your home doesn’t have to mean repainting walls or investing in a new sofa. Often, it’s the small details — a cobalt blue bowl, a sunset-orange sculpture, or a sea-glass green vase — that make the biggest impact.

So take your time. Choose pieces that spark joy, tell a story, or simply make you smile. Move them from room to room, mix them up seasonally, and let your style evolve.

Because when it comes to home decorating, it’s not about perfection — it’s about personality.

❓FAQ: Decorating with Colourful Ornaments and Vases

How do I choose the right colours for my home decor accessories?
Start with your existing room palette. Neutral walls and furnishings allow bright colours to pop. Use the 60-30-10 rule to balance your main, secondary, and accent tones. Choose one or two bold accent colours to repeat across different spaces for a cohesive look.

Where should I place colourful vases and ornaments?
Vases work well on hallway consoles, dining tables, window sills, or sideboards. Ornaments can be layered on bookshelves, coffee tables, or grouped on trays for visual impact. Use them to zone spaces or draw the eye to specific areas in open-plan rooms.

Can I mix different colours and textures in my home accessories?
Yes! Mixing materials like glass, ceramic, wood, and metal adds depth and interest. Stick to a consistent colour palette and use varying textures to create a layered, curated look without overwhelming the space.

What colours work best in different seasons?

• Spring/Summer: Soft pinks, mint greens, pale blues
  
  

• Autumn/Winter: Burnt orange, amber, forest green, rust
  Switching accessories seasonally is a simple way to refresh your home without a full redecoration.
  
  

Do colourful ornaments make small spaces feel cluttered?
Not if styled carefully. Use odd-numbered groupings, vary heights, and leave plenty of negative space around your objects. Keeping to a limited colour palette also prevents visual overload in smaller areas.