Ombré is a dyeing technique that has been used in fashion, art and interiors for centuries. Also known as dip dye, this technique gradually blends one colour into another, like white into turquoise blue or pink into yellow.
Ombré is the older, cooler sister of tie-dye. It’s similar in the sense that it is very much a rough, imperfect and ‘DIY’ art form but ombré is more sophisticated and more subtle than tie-dye.
So, how can ombré be used in interior design? Well, the short answer is; in lots of ways! Here are a few of my favourite ways to use this trend.
On the Walls
Ombré walls have overtaken the accent wall as the paint trend of the moment. It’s easy to see why; this look is just so chic. You can use practically any colour to create an ombré effect but the most effective – and least intrusive – are soft, pastel hues. My particular favourite is shades of blue as it gives an almost oceanic effect.
If you’re not feeling confident about dip dyeing your walls yourself, paper them instead. Wallpaper designer Debbie McKeegan has created a fantastic selection of ombré papers that allow you to achieve the look with half the hassle.
Update Your Furniture
Painted and printed furniture is no new thing but techniques like dip dye and ombré give a fresh, modern and unique feel. Ercol’s Love Seat and Hub Furniture’s Blur sofa are just two great examples of stylish, contemporary ombré.
You can even upcycle old furniture with graduated paint techniques. I’ve seen some really creative examples of DIY ombré furniture, including this set of chairs in gorgeous shades of green and this cabinet which uses different coloured wood stains rather than paint to create the effect.
Textiles
Textiles are the easiest way to embrace the ombré trend. There’s no DIY or expensive outlay involved (unless you choose to dye your own linens) you can just pick out curtains, a rug or throw pillows in colours that suit your existing scheme and enjoy the new look.
What I love most about ombré is that it blends extraordinarily well with other interior design trends. Whether bohemian, Scandinavian, industrial, traditionalist or otherwise – you can play and experiment with this look without making any other significant changes to your home design. It’s perfect for those of us who like to make small updates often.
