Color used in the home is more than a visual element…it’s an experience. Step into the right experience, and it transforms your day…your interactions with others…your whole home.
Walk with me into a dining room bathed in a deep and rich emerald green with hints of brushed gold in the accent wallpaper and in elements of the furniture and chandelier. This combination of colors creates an aura that feels sophisticated and grounding. The dining room becomes an experience: a lush and inviting one that turns any gathering into a special occasion.
Next, walk into a bedroom washed in soft and silvery blue. The warm and neutral off-white of the linens and the molding brighten the space just enough that the room seems to welcome you to the one place where you feel whole and can find cool clarity, whatever you’re facing outside those four walls.
Colors evoke emotions…and color combinations in interior design DIRECTLY shape how we feel—and EVEN how we interact!
Had you ever thought about that last part?! It’s not just what a color does for you. It’s what it does to the chemistry of a room.
Selecting colors for your home is about selecting the experiences you want to have there. Each room, too, deserves its own unique color palette, because you won’t want the same experiences in every space!
Consider these top 16 color combinations to try in your home. You’ll also come away with some surprising insights on what experiences you expect your home to deliver!
The Basics of Color Psychology in Interior Design
Color psychology is the field devoted to understanding how different colors influence our emotions and perceptions.
- For example, blues are known for their calming effects, which makes them popular for bedrooms or bathrooms.
- Reds, on the other hand, stimulate energy and appetite, making them popular in social spaces like dining rooms.
- Green, due to its association with nature, can inspire feelings of balance and renewal, making it an excellent choice for living areas…or even a workspace!!
But while specific colors tend to spur a sort of shared experience, color psychology remains a general guide rather than a strict set of rules.
Here’s the truth: Not every color rule applies to everyone in the same way!! This is where your professional interior designer comes in. I help you select the right color combinations that align with your unique personality, lifestyle, and experiential goals.
Part I: Timeless Color Combinations
Timeless color combinations stand the test of time. They never betray the year in which they were chosen!!
They also bring a sense of enduring elegance, giving you a feel as fresh and inviting today as it will be decades from now. Timeless combinations simply WORK because they balance color in a way that’s sophisticated through harmony that doesn’t overpower.
Here are a few timeless color combinations to consider…
- Navy and white: Classic and clean with a touch of nautical charm. This one works in ANY setting!!
- Charcoal and soft gray: A monochromatic palette that feels modern and timeless all at once. (Be careful using this one in small spaces, though.)
- Beige and ivory: Subtle yet warm, beige with an off-white like ivory creates a neutral and refined space.
- Olive green and cream: Here’s a grounded combination that has a touch of vintage with a touch of nature blended together.
- Black and white with gold accents: A combination that’s bold but completely classy, this adds a hint of glamour.
- Dusty rose and gray: This color combination mixes the rustic nostalgia of dusty rose with the temperate modernity of gray, making it a beautiful choice for intimate spaces.
Learn more about this kitchen remodel featuring navy and white.
Part II: Biophilic Color Combinations
Biophilic design is ALL about reconnecting with nature through our interiors. It’s a new but here-to-stay interior design style that brings the calming and rejuvenating effect of the outdoors into our homes, a benefit which we have become increasingly in need of!!
A biophilic approach to interior design resonates deeply with our innate desire for contact with nature, and it starts with the right color selections. The following color combinations create spaces that soothe, inspire, and recharge us when other aspects of life become draining.
Biophilic color combinations draw from nature’s palette, which means using LOTS of greens, earth tones, and subtle neutrals. Here are some of the top biophilic color combinations to try…
- Forest green and soft browns: This earthy classic evokes the peacefulness of woodlands, making it perfect for living rooms or reading nooks.
- Terracotta and sage green: This warm and grounded combination brings an earthy charm to kitchens or sunrooms, in particular.
- Sky blue and stone gray: If you want a fresh and airy combination, try this one in a bedroom or bathroom remodel.
- Seafoam green and sandy beige: Exquisitely light and relaxing, this combination is reminiscent of coastal landscapes…have to love it!!
- Moss green and muted ivory: Natural but decidedly elegant, this combination is ideal for environments where you crave peace, calm, and reflection.
Part III: Maximalist Color Combinations
Maximalism is yet another design style to play with in your home’s interiors!! It’s based on bold colors, patterns, and textures that celebrate personality and creativity. It’s a style that allows you to express yourself fully…BUT there’s a fine line between achieving an exciting look and creating clutter!!
Successful maximalism starts with carefully curated color combinations that allow each color to shine without overshadowing the others. Here’s my list of maximalist color combinations to consider, if you’re inspired by bold choices…
- Turquoise, coral, and mustard yellow: A vibrant and dynamic combination like this one could be perfect for a creative workspace!!
- Hot pink, cobalt blue, and emerald green: Many maximalist color combinations are unexpected but still cohesive, like this palette that inspires energy and life.
- Violet, gold, and teal: Maximalism can be luxurious and statement-making, too, like this color combination beautifully suited for dining rooms or lounges…
- Deep red, burnt orange, and forest green: This combination offers a great deal of color saturation, creating an environment of bold and unapologetic personality.
- Bright orange, lemon yellow, and royal blue: This is a classic take on maximalism (if there is such a thing)!! It’s fun and striking…picture it in a lively kitchen or entryway.
Remember that these color combinations are starting points. The key to creating a space that resonates with you lies in selecting the colors that nurture the experience you want in each space…and that ultimately build the home that isn’t only beautiful, but feels good to live in!!
Colors evoke emotions, and in each space, their combinations influence how we feel and interact.
How do you want to feel and interact with others in your home?! Reach out to us to inquire about your own remodel or a home “refresh,” and you’ll discover what our Return on Enjoyment commitment is all about!!
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
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