Why Colour Matters in Interior Design
Colour is one of the most powerful tools in interior design. It affects how large or small a room feels, the mood it creates, and how well your décor pieces work together. A cohesive colour palette doesn't mean every room has to look the same — it means creating a visual flow that makes your home feel intentional and harmonious.
Understanding the Basics: The Colour Wheel
You don't need a design degree to use the colour wheel effectively. Here are the core relationships to know:
- Complementary colours: Colours opposite each other on the wheel (e.g. blue and orange). High contrast, bold, and energising.
- Analogous colours: Colours next to each other (e.g. green, teal, blue). Creates a calm, harmonious feel.
- Triadic colours: Three evenly spaced colours (e.g. red, yellow, blue). Vibrant and balanced when used carefully.
- Monochromatic: Variations in shade and tone of a single colour. Sophisticated and easy to achieve.
The 60-30-10 Rule
This classic interior design rule helps distribute colour confidently:
- 60% dominant colour: Your walls, large furniture, or flooring. This is the background of your room.
- 30% secondary colour: Upholstery, curtains, rugs, or secondary furniture pieces.
- 10% accent colour: Cushions, artwork, vases, candles, and accessories. This is where you can be bold.
For example: warm white walls (60%), sage green sofa and curtains (30%), terracotta accents in cushions and ceramics (10%). The result is grounded, welcoming, and stylish.
Choosing Your Starting Point
Many people struggle to know where to begin. Here are three reliable starting points:
Start with a Piece You Love
A favourite rug, a piece of artwork, or a fabric you're drawn to can become the foundation of your palette. Pull two or three colours from it and build the room around them.
Start with Your Flooring
Flooring is usually the hardest and most expensive thing to change, so it makes sense to let it guide your palette. Warm wood tones pair beautifully with earthy neutrals, blush, and terracotta. Cool grey stone floors work with blues, greens, and charcoal.
Start with the Mood
Decide how you want the room to feel: calm and restful, vibrant and sociable, cosy and intimate? Then choose colours known to evoke those feelings. Blues and greens are calming; yellows and oranges are energising; deep navies and charcoals feel dramatic and sophisticated.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too many colours: Limit yourself to three or four colours per room. More than that often feels chaotic.
- Ignoring undertones: "White" is never just white — it can lean pink, yellow, green, or grey. Always check undertones against your other elements.
- Buying paint without testing: Always test paint on a large section of the wall and observe it in different lights throughout the day before committing.
- Forgetting about natural light: North-facing rooms receive cooler light; south-facing rooms are warmer. This significantly affects how colours appear.
Extending the Palette Across Rooms
For a home that flows naturally, carry one or two colours from each room into the next. You don't have to use them in the same way — a sage green accent wall in the living room might become a sage green plant pot in the hallway. This subtle repetition ties spaces together without making your home feel monotonous.