Use these expert tips to make your interiors feel like a cohesive extension of you.
It’s no secret that your home interiors can affect how you feel. While decor choices may seem frivolous at times, the truth is that your home is most serene when it reflects who you are. A common decorating challenge people face, however, is the all too daunting choice of selecting a color palette. Whether you prefer to bask in minimal hues of eggshell, vibrant tones of orchid, deep shades of blue, or something in between, finding the right colors to mix and match can feel like a guessing game.
Of course, it’s your home, so there’s no right answer, but some guidelines can help make the process easier. So, we consulted design experts for tips and tricks for choosing a color palette that feels uniquely you. Whether you’re trying to find the right paint colors or decorating around an accent couch, follow the advice below to get started and then let your creativity run free.
Find Inspiration
Before embarking on any redecorating journey, seeking out inspiration should always be your first priority. “Whether it’s getting out in nature, looking at magazines, or scrolling on Pinterest, finding inspiration that matches what you’re looking to achieve for your space is definitely important when it comes to selecting colors,” says Jasmine Crockett, interior designer and founder of Joy Meets Home. This can help you visualize how different colors look in a number of spaces and find common themes in the color combinations you like best.
Think Beyond the Trends
“I think it’s more important to try and build a palette around things that you love, rather than trends,” says Jessica Nelson, interior designer and owner of namesake design firm. “You’ll love it a lot longer.”
So, when working with clients, instead of asking them their favorite design trends, Nelson asks more personal questions: What colors are you drawn to? What colors do you find yourself gravitating towards in your wardrobe? What are some of your favorite places to travel? «I think that you can pull a lot of info out of those answers,” she says. By avoiding trendy colors that you’ll love for only a moment, Nelson says you can save time and money by being intentional about the colors you surround yourself with.
Pay Attention to Lighting
Before selecting a color palette for your space—and especially before painting—pay close attention to the lighting. Different colors can present differently depending on the lighting in a given space, says Crockett. “The way that, for instance, navy blue may look in a bedroom with multiple windows [is different than] in a room with limited windows.” Assessing whether a room gets a ton of natural light, none at all, or if the overhead lighting presents yellow or blue is crucial to consider when choosing a color palette.
Do a Swatch Test
Let’s be honest, choosing a paint color can be a nerve-racking experience. What if you commit to a color and instantly regret it? What if it doesn’t look how you imagined? What if you wake up one day and absolutely hate it? In order to avoid overthinking, make paint swatches your new BFF.
“Find a color that you love, put samples up on your walls, live with it for 24 to 48 hours, and see how you feel with it,” says Zachary Wheeler, interior architect, designer, and owner of Zachary Luke Designs
This swatch test also allows you to assess what’s not working about a color. Maybe you want to go lighter on the color to open up smaller spaces or go a bit darker to curate a cozier feel. Whatever your reasons, this pre-selection process ensures ultimate satisfaction.
Compare Colors
Comparing colors can be a great way to narrow down your choices. “Start with the color you like and then use that as your base when pulling other paint samples. Put them next to each other and see how well they work together,” says Wheeler. This can help you not only choose which paint colors will work well together, but also which colors and tones will work for the furnishings and decor.
Cohesion is Key
Curating a color palette for your home is all about either sticking to a color you love, or switching it up from room to room in a way that makes sense. “Especially for beginners, I usually recommend working with three to five colors or less,” says Nelson. “The thing you want to avoid is your house feeling like Skittles. You want your home to have continuity and not feel jarring when you’re going from one room to the next.” For open floor plans, Nelson recommends sticking to a more “grounding and neutral” color palette throughout, so that the space feels more connected. Save those bold pops of color for spaces that are more clearly defined, like a bathroom, office, or entryway.
Start Neutral and Go From There
There’s a reason why interior designers favor neutral paint colors—the possibilities for decor are endless. “Creams and whites are always a go-to,” says Crockett. “You’re able to really allow your furnishings, lighting, and all [your other decor] to take the front seat.” Whether you’re yearning for a saturated accent chair or a bold lamp to take center stage, a neutral backdrop is a safe and simple base you can build upon without taking away from your furniture’s wow-factor.
Add More Color with an Accent Wall
In order to visually expand a small space, many interior designers opt for bright whites or fresh creams. But, if you’re looking to take your home beyond that neutral color palette, Wheeler suggests incorporating a fun color overhead. “My suggestion is to go with a super, super light color on the walls, and then accent the ceiling,» he says.
Choosing one of the lower walls to accent with color (instead of the ceiling) and leaving the rest more neutral is also a great way to add more color to a room without overwhelming the space. Then, complete the space with furniture and fixtures that complement that accent wall, and you’ll have healthy doses of color along with the neutral surrounding walls to balance everything out.
Go Big in Small Spaces
“I know that there’s this myth that you shouldn’t go dark in small rooms, but I actually like to completely ignore that,” says Nelson. “We do a ton of moodier offices and super dark powder baths, which are the smallest rooms in your house.” If you’re weary about going bold in your bedroom, get creative in your home’s smaller spaces. “It’s a great place to try something a little riskier,” says Nelson.
Work Around Your “Pop Piece”
Another option for selecting a color palette for your home is to start with an accent piece of furniture or decor and then choose the surrounding colors from there. In order to keep a room from feeling chaotic, however, it’s important to anchor the space. “If you go with a crazy cool emerald sofa, then maybe you do a super simple cream rug,” says Nelson. And, if your room with the emerald sofa has white walls, maybe you keep the furniture simple in the next room but paint the walls blue or green to tie it all together, suggests Nelson.
If committing to a “pop piece” is too daring for you, Nelson recommends playing with pillows, instead. “Pillows are so easy to change out,” she says. “It all just depends on your comfort level (with color).”
Consult a Paint Specialist
Speaking with a professional is never a bad idea, especially when it comes to nailing the aesthetic of your dream home. “If you’re struggling with picking out paint colors by yourself, my suggestion is to go somewhere like Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams where they have color specialists to help you,” says Wheeler. By consulting specialists who are trained in color temperature and color matching, your home will have that added professional touch to ensure coherence.
Choose What Makes You Feel Good
If the unpopular choice makes you feel the most at home, be brave enough to do it anyway, says Crockett. “At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that this is your home,” she says. So be daring (or don’t), play it safe (or don’t), and most importantly, stay true to you.
Fool-Proof Color Palettes From The Pros
Jasmine’s Go-To: “I love warm neutrals,” says Crocket. “This is a style that can be incorporated into any design style. You can layer any other colors, patterns or textures. It also creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere for the home.”
Jessica’s Go-To:
Zachary’s Go-To: “Try out medium to light gray on your walls, white on your ceiling and trim, and accent with navy in closed spaces,” says Wheeler. “Opt for a neutral sofa and chairs or accent them in Navy. Warm wood or gray wood tones would look great for end and coffee tables.”
