How to build your color confidence and stop overthinking

I’m writing with an overly enthusiastic smile on my face today because I can finally share a secret I have been keeping: I’ve been recognized by Apartment Therapy as a New/Next Designer shaping the future of home in 2026. (If you’re like, what the hell does this mean? You can read all about it here.)

It’s an incredibly meaningful thing to be recognized for your work, and while my inner critic might tell me it’s cringe to celebrate, I am not going to pretend to be chill about this. I’m excited! And I’m honored to have a platform (aka this corner of the internet with all of you lovely subscribers) to share the joy of color with.

When I first started my color consultancy, it was for one simple reason: Color has the power to change the way you feel and exist in the world, and I wanted to share that gift with others. I wanted to help people become braver with color, and I did so by working with clients one-on-one, building their color confidence through consultations and online workshops. Naturally, those interactions led to bigger asks and bigger projects, but no matter the size, I have always remained passionate about educating and explaining my philosophy around how you, too, can fearlessly choose color at home.

I had so much fun being interviewed for my feature with Apartment Therapy. We talked about my career journey, my complicated relationship with color trends, and what my “secret sauce” is for choosing colors. Does anyone want to guess what it is?

The answer is, as you probably might have guessed, I don’t have a magic formula! I don’t follow any set of rules I read online, and I’m certainly not referencing some sort of guidebook that is telling me whether I’m doing this right or wrong. I believe there is no one “right” way to pick out colors for your home, just as there is no one right way to design your home, despite whatever the internet might tell you. What I will say, though, is that you get more comfortable with color by experimenting with it. It’s as simple as that.

And the good news is that there are so many ways you can add color into your home. Don’t let that overwhelm you! I say this with love as a professional who works in this field every day: you are probably spending a lot of time overthinking. Overthinking = indecision = paralysis.

As you’re reading this, look at all the different items surrounding you. Right now, I’m looking at my bright red dining table, my yellow coasters, and my pink fruit bowl. Just beyond that, I see my red cabinet knobs, my green hallway runner, and my red shoe mat by the door. Every single item you’re looking at is an opportunity to sprinkle color in. Not saying that you have to make every single item a moment of color, but theoretically… you could. It all boils down to your comfort level, your style, and how willing you are to commit.

Below, I’m outlining a few ways you can introduce color into your home, with a shoppable rolodex of things I’m currently sourcing, loving, and saving. I’m calling it The Color Shop! This will be an ever-evolving shop I keep open and updating, so you can bookmark the page and keep checking in whenever you’re thinking “hmmm, I have a hankering for a colorful piece…”

For anyone who is afraid of color and wants an extremely low-stakes, easy way to add a pop of color to their home:

• Buy flowers from your neighborhood shop (support local and infuse color into your life!)

• Add a colorful vase to put said flowers in

• Place colored pencils in a regular ‘ole cup on your desk

• Go to the bookstore and find a colorful book cover that draws you in (or better yet, cover a book that you already have with fun paper, middle school style)

• Wear colorful clothes and see how it makes you feel — see below!

For anyone ready to make color a little more permanent, but still wants a way to switch things out if you change your mind:

• It’s a trope as old as time, but adding a fun throw blanket to your life can do wonders

• Change the photo mat that hugs your favorite memory for something more playful

• Trade your boring bath towels for something lush that makes you smile

• Replace an old lampshade to give your lighting a new feel (you could also DIY this!)

For anyone who has tested the waters and is ready to go a little deeper with color:

• Paint your window trim a bold color that you’d never paint a whole room… and live to tell the tale!

• Hang drapery in a color you’ve been tempted by that changes the way the light filters into your room

• Swap your regular cabinet hardware for something joyful

• While you’re at it, swap your switch plates too!

For anyone who is ready to go all in with color, although all of these suggestions are also reversible so don’t get too worried now:

• Reupholster a piece of furniture with bold fabric that becomes the jumping-off point for more design decisions to come

• Paint a full wall (or four!) in a color you have been loving but too afraid to use

• Buy a statement rug that will ground your entire room and make it feel like your favorite hotel

• Dress your walls in a piece of artwork from an artist you’ve been admiring

I hope this inspires you to take color into your own hands! If it does, please tell me because nothing brings me more joy than hearing about those tiny moments.

— Daniela

P.S. I’m hosting a Substack Live with my friend Cristina Cleveland next Tuesday, August 4th, and I’d love for you to join us! We’ll be solving your design dilemmas live, so if you’ve ever wished you could have two interior designers in your corner, this is your chance. Here’s the link to join.