How to incorporate a new colour into your home without a total revamp

How to incorporate a new colour into your home without a total revamp

There’s something refreshing about introducing a fresh hue into a room. A whisper of change, rather than a full transformation. At Raft, we’re all for gentle updates that feel natural, considered and never fleeting. While we love the way that trends come in beautiful waves of colour, we always make sure to take a step back and consider whether the new “it” tone really speaks to our style. This season it’s butter yellow and burgundy. Let’s talk about how we’re making it work in our showrooms, without a complete overhaul. 

Introducing a trendy shade need not lead to trend-fatigue. By picking natural hues, layering with familiar tones and choosing lasting textures, you add interest without needing a total revamp. Just like Raft’s ethos of sustainable design, your new colour should feel rooted. A small change that endures.

1. Look for hints of nature

On-trend shades like butter yellow and burgundy draw from the earth. Butter yellow echoes sun-warmed grain or golden sandstone. Burgundy mirrors the blush of early-autumn leaves and the richness of aged leather. Start small, perhaps a cushion, an accent chair or a ceramic vase, so the colour feels organic, not overwhelming.

2. Layer tones within your existing palette

Introduce your new accent colour through layering. Combine a butter-yellow throw with neutral linens or pair red accessories with warm oatmeal textures or soft stone. This builds a cohesion that flows effortlessly without resorting to a full-blown repaint.

3. Choose timeless textures

Opt for natural finishes: matte ceramics, linen, soft wool or raw teak. These materials soften bold hues and infuse a quiet permanence into your scheme. An olive green wool rug or plaster pink linen cushion maintains style that ages graciously, rather than feels dated by the next trend.

4. Use Raft-like balance

Just as Raft furniture is handcrafted in London and built to last, your colour edits should be subtle but enduring. Aim for pieces that can travel with your home through seasons. A pale blue throw draped effortlessly over a teak console is simple and adaptable, future-proofing your space.

5. Keep scale in mind

A single window seat upholstered in a butter yellow linen could bring a gentle, sunny touch. A burgundy leather armchair could anchor a room, best paired with soft neutrals elsewhere to avoid dominance. Scale matters. Choose accent pieces that spark joy without overpowering.

6. Rotate and edit

Swap objects by season. Richer tones like navy and deep olive green feel cosy in autumn and winter, while lighter shades such as butter yellow and plaster pink lift in spring and summer. Rotate your scatter cushions by the season. Or, even consider a new sofa cover. These are simple, considered refreshes.