For HGTV Dream Home 2016, interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn is taking a more subtle approach to popular Floridian colors with blue-grays, washed out turquoise tones and isolated jolts of Terra-cotta and coral. 

Brian's tip: The earlier you shop, the more likely you are to get top-notch service. "I like to call a day or two before shopping to see if there will be an in-house design professional available to book an appointment with," says Brian. "A simple call ahead may result in having a store associate pre-select and lay out options in your planned palette."

To keep spaces light, airy and neutral, pare vibrant colors back by layering in just a few shades to add energy but keep the space balanced.

Color can be less intimidating depending on how it's applied to furniture. Antique and aged furnishings infuse color without being too bold.

“New neutrals” are colors that have enough gray undertones to render them washed out and more on the neutral side but still retain a sense of personality. Blue-gray and “greige” (a mash-up of gray with beige) are both ideal options that work with different levels of taste and different design styles.

Just a few touches of color amidst a soft, understated background can add a burst of energy that's colorful but not overwhelming.

If possible, bring a floor plan to map out light sources when deciding on colors. Different light sources can change the tone of a color and make it read differently.

In a space infused with bold colors, dial down the intensity by introducing large and small doses of white.

Blues and blue-grays provide just enough color for the space to feel personalized but won’t detract from the house’s view of the water, which is its most spectacular feature.