Happy January 2026! Start the year with intention. January is a moment to reassess your visual language: what’s working, what feels tired, and where you want to push boundaries. Below are practical, design-forward tips to help you refresh your art practice, tighten your color work, or maybe redecorate a room or two. These tips can be used in both painting and decorating.
Start small with your palette
Limiting your color palette can actually open up more creative freedom. Try working with three to five colors for most projects. Choose one dominant color to lead, a supporting color to balance it, and an accent color for highlights or moments of emphasis. Testing combinations in neutral light can help you see relationships more clearly and avoid surprises later.
Let color temperature set the mood
Color temperature plays a big role in how a space or painting feels. Warm palettes built from reds, oranges, and warm yellows tend to feel energetic and inviting, while cooler blues, greens, and violets create calm and quiet. For visual tension without chaos, try pairing a cool base with a warm accent. A muted teal with a soft coral, for example, adds interest while still feeling cohesive.
Use contrast with intention
Contrast is often more effective than adding more elements. Scale, weight, saturation, and spacing all help guide the eye. High contrast naturally draws attention, so use it to highlight what matters most. Just as important, leave room for things to breathe. Thoughtful negative space allows color and form to do the work, and often makes a stronger statement than filling every inch.
Keep accessibility and context in mind
Good design works for everyone. Make sure contrast levels support legibility, especially in spaces or pieces meant to be lived with or interacted with. It’s also worth considering how color is perceived across cultures and seasons. A palette that feels fresh in winter may land differently in summer, and awareness of that context can strengthen your choices.
Treat January as a creative systems check: simplify where possible, experiment in small increments, and document palettes and rules you want to reuse. Small, disciplined updates to your color and design practice now will compound into clearer, more effective work throughout 2026.