How to Choose a Color Scheme for Your Home

Choosing a color scheme for your home can be difficult if you don’t know where to start, but that’s where I come in - let’s dive into how to choose a color scheme for your home and make it pretty together!

Step 1: Understand Color Theory

Okay, so before you start going paint-crazy on your walls, let’s talk basics. The color wheel is your best friend here. Let’s take it back to Kindergarten for a second and job your brain. Color 101 is this: there are primary colors (red, blue, yellow), secondary colors (green, orange, purple), and tertiary colors (the mixes in between).
Colors fall into warm (these are your reds, oranges, and yellows) and cool (these are your blues, greens, and purples) categories. Warm colors create invigorating, energetic spaces, while cool colors are calming and serene.

 

Step 2: What’s the Mood?

I want you to close your eyes and imagine how you want your room to feel. Do you want something bold, or something neutral? A space that screams energy or invokes tranquility? The right colors can totally transform a space. Here are some examples of where you may want to use different color palettes for different purposes:

• Living Room: Warm and neutral tones like beige, soft yellows, or light grays create a welcoming vibe.
• Bedroom: Cool colors like soft blues, greens, or lavender make it a restful retreat.
• Kitchen: Bright colors like yellow or red can actually stimulate appetite and conversation (isn’t that crazy?!), while white or light gray keeps it clean and spacious.
• Bathroom: Spa vibes? Think aqua, mint green, or soft gray.
• Home Office: Blues and greens for focus, or a pop of red or orange for energy.

 
Keep in mind, though, that this is about what you want! You don’t have to follow trends or any one set cookie-cutter style. If you want to paint your living room hot pink, then dangit, paint it hot pink!
 

Step 3: Let There Be Light

Lighting is a game-changer. Natural light and artificial light can make colors look completely different. Here’s what to consider:

• Natural Light: South-facing rooms get warm, bright light (colors look more intense). North-facing rooms get cooler light (colors look more muted).
• Artificial Light: Different bulbs give off different vibes. Incandescent bulbs are warm (think yellow/red), fluorescents are cool (blueish), and LEDs can go either way.

Test out paint samples and see how they look in different lights throughout the day. My preferred, and many other designers’ preferred color for lighting, is “soft white,” or light in the 2700K to 3000K range. This creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere versus something like a stark, cool fluorescent light. 

Step 4: Start with Neutrals

Neutrals are your foundation. They’re versatile and timeless, making it easy to add color through accessories. Here are your basic neutrals:

• White: Clean, bright, and airy.
• Beige: Warm and cozy without overwhelming.
• Gray: Sophisticated and modern.
• Taupe: The best of both worlds – warm and cool.

 

Step 5: Pick Your Accent Colors

An accent color adds that pop of interest. Have you heard of the 60-30-10 rule? You can use it to create a balanced look:

• 60% of the Room: Dominant color (your neutral base).
• 30% of the Room: Secondary color (complementary to the base).
• 10% of the Room: Accent color (bold and contrasting).

For example, a living room with a beige base might have soft blue curtains and a pop of teal or coral in the pillows and artwork.

Step 6: Create Your Palette

This is where the magic happens. Now you have to take those neutrals and combine it with your accents colors to generate a cohesive color palette. Here are your various options:

• Monochromatic: Different shades of one color.
• Analogous: Colors next to each other on the color wheel.
• Complementary: Opposite colors on the color wheel.
• Triadic: Three evenly spaced colors on the color wheel.

Play around with online tools like Adobe Color to find combos you love.

Step 7: Don’t Forget the Fixed Elements

Consider what you’re not changing – flooring, countertops, cabinets, big furniture pieces. Make sure your colors complement these:

• Wood Tones: Warm woods pair with warm colors. Cool woods pair with cool colors.
• Stone or Tile: Neutral or earthy tones can guide your choices. Marble with gray veining? Maybe go with a gray and white scheme.

Step 8: Test It Out

Got your colors? Great! Now test them. Paint some swatches and live with them for a few days. See how they look in different lights before committing.

Step 9: Think Flow

Your home should feel cohesive. Use a consistent trim color or a recurring accent color to tie different rooms together. Each room can have its own vibe, but a little continuity goes a long way.

Step 10: Find Inspiration and Trust Your Gut

Inspiration is everywhere – design mags, Pinterest, Instagram, nature. Gather what resonates with you and identify common themes. Trends are fun, but your home should reflect your style. Trust your instincts and create a space that feels like you.

Wrapping It Up

Choosing a color scheme is an adventure. It’s about finding what makes you feel good and brings your vision to life. If you follow these steps, you will have a great starting foundation instead of randomly choosing swatches or fabrics that don’t work together at all. And remember, the right colors can make a huge difference in your mood, energy, and well-being. So, take your time, play around, and don’t be afraid to get creative. Also keep in mind that nothing is permanent, so if you make mistakes and don’t like something, just go buy another can of paint! Let’s make it pretty, together!