Accent colors: how to use greens, blues, and terracottas

Moving from neutrals to deep colors can feel risky, but it is what turns a standard house into one with personality. In our Lloret de Mar shop, we see many of you looking for that specific shade to stand out on a living room wall or a piece of furniture. You do not need to paint the whole house; just choose accent points to guide the eye.

Deep greens and blues with character

Green is not just for rustic rooms anymore. A shade like NCS S 7020-B90G is a dark forest green that works well in offices or on headboard walls. If you prefer blues, RAL 5003 Sapphire blue has the strength needed for kitchen cabinets or interior doors.

To apply these colors, use a Blatem matte emulsion with good coverage. Dark colors from the NCS system usually need two or three coats so the pigment settles well and the tone stays even. If you are painting over a very light surface, a tinted primer helps.

Terracottas and ochres: the warmth of the earth

Earth tones connect well with the Costa Brava landscape. NCS S 4040-Y70R is a terracotta that looks like traditional ceramics and adds visual warmth without tiring the eyes. If you want something brighter, an ochre like RAL 1005 Honey yellow is a perfect accent for hallways or entryways with little natural light.

These colors look great with natural wood. If you have pine or oak furniture, give them a coat of Blatem varnishes in a matte finish to protect the grain without adding artificial shine that fights the wall color.

Burgundy and the elegance of wine

Burgundy is a sophisticated accent color. NCS S 6030-R10B is a garnet with a cool touch that looks great in dining rooms. This color looks best with warm artificial light at night to show all its depth. For this type of work, I recommend using microfibre rollers from Pentrilo. They leave a very smooth finish, almost like a lacquer, and prevent the roller marks that show up so much on dark colors.

How to balance the palette at home

The rule is simple: 60-30-10. 60% of the room should be a main color (usually a neutral), 30% a secondary color, and 10% the deep accent color. If you use RAL 8004 Copper brown as an accent on a column or a niche, make sure your fabrics or a painting have similar touches so the space makes sense.

Remember that at our tinting machine in Lloret de Mar, we prepare any NCS or RAL reference on the spot. This way you know the color you see in the catalog is exactly what you take home.

Scent marketing: aromas for deep colors

A strong color needs a scent that matches it. Scent marketing helps the decoration feel complete, both in Costa Brava businesses and private homes. You can see the whole range in our Air-Bosq air freshener catalog.

• For greens like NCS S 7020-B90G, the ET fragrance fits because of its sage and lavender notes, backing up that fresh, natural feel.
• A deep blue like RAL 5003 needs something clean and sharp. AQUA brings bergamota and marine jasmine, perfect for calm settings.
• Terracotta and ochre tones like NCS S 4040-Y70R go well with oriental scents. COLONIA, with its coffee and vanilla notes, brings the weight that these earth colors suggest.

Frequently asked questions

Do dark colors make a room look smaller?
Not if you use them as an accent on a single wall or on furniture. The secret is balancing them with proper lighting and light-colored ceilings.

Which roller is best for painting deep colors?
Use Pentrilo microfibre rollers to avoid the orange peel effect and keep the color completely smooth.

How many coats of paint are needed for a burgundy color?
Usually two or three coats, as deep pigments need more volume to fully cover the previous base.

Can I get a RAL color in emulsion paint?
Yes, at Suministros Barrero we use Blatem tinting machines that mix any RAL or NCS code instantly.

How do I combine a dark green?
It works very well with light woods, natural fibers like wicker, and metal details in gold or brass tones.