How to Choose the Right Colour Palette for Your Home
Choosing the right colour palette for your home is one of the most important decisions in interior design. The right colours can set the mood, enhance your décor, and create a cohesive flow from room to room. But with endless options available, how do you choose the perfect shades that reflect your style and function well in your space?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through proven colour selection techniques, including how to understand colour psychology, choose complementary shades, and create a timeless palette that works for your home.
1. Understanding Colour Psychology in Interior Design
Colour has a powerful impact on emotions and mood, which is why designers carefully consider it when creating a home’s atmosphere. Here’s how different colours influence spaces:
Warm Colours (Red, Orange, Yellow) – Energizing, cozy, and welcoming. Great for social spaces like living rooms and dining areas.
Cool Colours (Blue, Green, Purple) – Calming and relaxing. Ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, and home offices.
Neutral Colours (White, Gray, Beige, Taupe) – Versatile and timeless. These shades create balance and allow flexibility for styling.
Dark Colours (Deep Navy, Charcoal, Black) – Dramatic and sophisticated. They work well in statement walls or intimate settings.
Pro Tip: Before committing to a colour, think about the atmosphere you want to create in each room.
Do you want a cozy and inviting living room? Warm tones like terracotta or deep beige can work well.
Need a serene bedroom? Opt for soft blues or muted greens.
Hoping for a crisp, modern kitchen? Whites and grays keep things fresh and timeless.
2. The 60-30-10 Rule: Creating a Balanced Colour Palette
Interior designers often follow the 60-30-10 rule to create a well-balanced colour scheme:
60% - Dominant Colour: This is the primary colour of your room and is used on walls, large furniture, or flooring.
30% - Secondary Colour: A complementary colour used in upholstery, curtains, or accent furniture.
10% - Accent Colour: The boldest colour in the room, used for decorative pieces like cushions, art, and accessories.
For example, in a modern coastal-inspired room, refer to the image above:
60% – White walls and neutral flooring
30% – Soft blue sofas and curtains
10% – Gold or brass accents in lighting and décor
Pro Tip: Stick to 3-5 colours max in a room to keep the look cohesive and uncluttered.
3. How to Select the Right Undertones
One of the most common mistakes in choosing a colour palette is overlooking undertones.
Warm Undertones: Hints of red, yellow, or orange (e.g., beige, warm taupe, creamy whites).
Cool Undertones: Hints of blue, green, or violet (e.g., gray, icy white, slate blue).
Neutral Undertones: A balanced mix of warm and cool (e.g., greige, taupe, stone gray).
How to check undertones:
Compare your chosen paint swatches against a pure white piece of paper.
If it appears yellowish or red, it has a warm undertone.
If it looks bluish or grayish, it has a cool undertone.
Pro Tip: Keep undertones consistent across your home for a seamless flow between rooms.
4. Choosing a Colour Palette That Works with Your Home’s Architecture
Not all colours work in all homes. Consider the fixed elements in your space before choosing a colour palette:
Flooring - Do you have warm-toned hardwood or cool-toned tile?
Cabinetry & Built-Ins - Are they white, wood-stained, or painted?
Countertops & Backsplashes - Stone, quartz, or concrete finishes will influence your palette.
Trim & Molding - Bright white trim makes colours pop, while softer white or gray trim blends seamlessly.
If you have warm oak floors, pairing them with cool gray walls may feel disjointed. Instead, try a warm greige or beige to complement the tones.
Pro Tip: Use architectural features like exposed beams or fireplaces as anchor points for your palette.
5. How to Test Colours Before You Commit
Paint often looks different on walls than on a sample card, depending on lighting, surroundings, and time of day.
Ways to Test Colours Like a Pro:
Use Large Paint Samples: Instead of tiny swatches, get real paint samples and apply large patches to different walls.
Observe in Different Lighting: Check the colour in morning, afternoon, and evening light to see how it changes.
Compare Against Existing Elements: Hold swatches next to furniture, flooring, and trim to ensure harmony.
Pro Tip: If you’re hesitant, choose a soft neutral as a base colour - it’s easier to build on with accent tones.
6. Coordinating Colours Across Different Rooms
A home should have a cohesive colour story, especially in open-concept layouts.
Use variations of the same colour across different spaces (e.g., navy in the living room, soft blue in the bedroom).
Keep trim and ceilings the same colour throughout for a unified look.
Add accent walls or wallpaper for visual interest without overwhelming a space.
Pro Tip: Designers often use soft whites, warm neutrals, or muted pastels to create continuity between rooms.
7. Timeless vs. Trendy Colour Choices
Colour trends come and go, but some palettes remain timeless.
Timeless Colours: Whites, grays, beiges, soft blues, and greens
Trendy Colours: Earthy terracottas, deep moody hues, vibrant pastels
If you love a trendy colour but worry about longevity, use it in easy to change elements like cushions, rugs, or artwork.
Pro Tip: Always opt for a timeless base and incorporate trends through accent pieces rather than permanent fixtures.
8. Tools & Resources to Help You Pick Colours
If you’re overwhelmed by colour choices, these resources can help:
Paint Brand Colour Visualizers - Brands like Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore offer online tools to preview colours in a space.
Pinterest & Instagram - Browse for inspiration and see how designers use colours in real homes.
Colour Wheel Apps - Use apps like Adobe colour to find complementary and harmonious colour palettes.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right colour palette for your home is about finding the perfect balance of personality, functionality, and harmony. By understanding colour psychology, testing shades in different lighting, and coordinating across spaces, you can create a home that feels both stylish and timeless.
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