Color is one of the most important aspects of interior design. Let’s explore some ideas for using color, and incorporating various colors into your home decor.
White: In many rooms, white evokes a clean feeling. White is the ultimate “neutral” backdrop; it can be contemporary, traditional, transitional, romantic or eclectic, and it coordinates flawlessly with any other color you could think of.
See Also: The White Granite Trend
Gray: Gray is quickly becoming a favorite for decorating contemporary spaces. Grays can be a little tricky to decorate with, because it’s a challenge to get the right undertones when you pair grays with other colors. However, if you can handle that challenge, the results can be completely stunning.
Beige: In decades past, beige was the hottest neutral color for decorating residential interiors. Beige’s advantage with decorators came about because it can work with just about any other color to easily create a workable color palette for any interior space.
Brown: Brown is an indispensable color in many interior designers’ color palettes. Since so many interiors incorporate woods and wood stains into the design, brown is often part of the color scheme, even if it isn’t intended to be the main focus.
Red: Red is an attention-getter, and it makes a fantastic accent color in the home. For those who are confident in their choices, it can also be used as a main color. Many different reds are attractive choices for use in interior design. Vibrant, lipstick reds are gorgeous in contemporary designs. Deep brick reds and burgundies combine well with a variety of different beiges, browns, camels, hunter greens and other colors for use in traditional spaces. The classic red and white kitchen remains a favorite with many decorators and homeowners as well.
Orange: Orange is a fabulous accent color to use for decorating. Deep rusty oranges combine well with a number of other colors, including brick reds, browns, taupes, grays, greens, blues and golden tones. Vibrant, brighter oranges work well in contemporary and modern interiors, and they can also be lovely when incorporated into floral prints, plaids and other patterns that work well in traditional interiors.
Yellow: Yellow evokes a warm, sunshiny feeling. Pale butter yellows are lovely additions to any decorator’s color palette. Yellow paint has been a favorite in the kitchen in a variety of different shades and tones, from light yellows to darker, warm golden hues. Yellow is a fabulous accent color to incorporate into various prints and patterns; many florals incorporate daisies, marigolds, sunflowers and other flowers that require the use of yellow.
Green: Green is a versatile color that can go in many different directions. Forest green and hunter green are two of the trendiest colors for 2019. Emerald green and kelly green are also right on trend at the moment. Lime green is just right for many modern and contemporary spaces. Jadeite green is popular with a subset of antiques collectors. Seafoam green, hunter green and celadon have all been popular shades to decorate with in years past. Many interiors incorporate green in some way, often in the form of hanging plants, greenery or at least floral prints that feature leafy green accents.
Blue: There are a wide range of different blues, all of them evoking different moods and looks: denim blue, navy blue, baby blue, turquoise blue. Right now they’re all enjoying a resurgence in popularity with decorators and homeowners alike.
Purple: In times past, purple was the color favored by royalty. These days, purple is enjoying renewed popularity at home, although it often pops up as an accent color rather than the main color used in a room. The exception: it’s a favorite with teen, tween and younger girls, who often choose purple bedspreads, rugs and wall art for decorating their bedrooms.
Pink: Pink is another color that’s popular for decorating girls’ bedrooms.
Black: Black is a staple in 2019’s interior color palettes. Homeowners are choosing black for countertops, cabinetry, furnishings, bedding and sometimes even their wall color.
Want to find the latest color trends? If so, check out this page of interior color trends for 2019.
This page was last updated on 10-21-2018.
