7 home projects with colourful structural elements

These self-builds and renovations all have something in common – bold colour has been used on a key structural element to bring personality to their project.

Where there’s an opportunity to remodel or self-build a home entirely, many homeowners opt for a simple, neutral colour palette to best showcase the architecture. However, even with this modern aesthetic in mind, there’s certainly a way for colour to elevate an architectural space.

These 7 projects have each used colour to highlight a key structural element, not only creating a feature that brings something different to the space, but also adding a sense of fun and joy which means these homes can’t help but make you smile.

Staircase

In Mulroy Architects’ Haringey House project, featured on Grand Designs in 2017, a bright yellow staircase creates a central focal point at the heart of the house, made bespoke from laser-cut metal sheets.

Watch the episode: Haringey House, Mulroy Architects

Structural beams

As part of the Poulsom Middlehurst’s work in renovating this two bedroom maisonette in Hackney, a central load-bearing wall was removed to allow an open plan living and kitchen area overlooking the garden, however, the resulting structural beam was left exposed, and coloured in a vibrant green to make a statement feature within this invigorating space.

External doors

The White Rabbit House by Gundry + Ducker uses an intriguing mixture of texture and colour throughout the lower floor restoration, including terrazzo, which can be seen on the exterior extension and flooring, and a forest green, which makes up many of the key features of the space, including the kitchen cabinetry and the exterior glazed doors.

Ceiling

This conservatory room by David Leech Architects uses a simple, but effective structural design for the ceiling to create a focal point for an otherwise minimal space. Intersecting beams have been left exposed to create shallow coffers, painted in green, which also accommodate one large and 3 smaller roof lights in a loose constellation.

Front door

With an internal space of 56 sqm, this two-bedroom house by Family Architects in Belfast has given new purpose to a former brownfield site known for antisocial behaviour. Clad in black larch, a vibrant yellow front door plays up this simplified, classic ‘house’ shape.

Windows

Briefed with creating a child-friendly house, Office S&M’s renovation of this home in Ealing brings a playfulness to proceedings, even from the exterior. Cedar shingle cladding and arched windows in an energetic yellow make this an eye-catching home from outside, and the frames make a dynamic addition to the interiors of the property too.

Extension

An unusual cladding choice for an extension, this project by Beasley Dickson has a faceted façade inspired by Victorian faience, tiled in a cerulean blue.