How to Know What Colours Go Together (And What Doesn’t)!

Choosing the right colours for your home can feel daunting, especially when it comes to knowing which shades complement each other and which clash. Fortunately, colour theory provides helpful guidelines that can steer you toward harmonious combinations. Whether you're updating your living room or designing a bedroom, here’s how to confidently select the right colours for your home.

1. The Colour Wheel

The most reliable tool for understanding colour relationships is the colour wheel. This simple yet powerful graphic illustrates the spectrum of colours and how they relate to one another.

Complementary Colours: These are opposite each other on the wheel. For instance, blue and orange or red and green. When paired, they create high contrast and a vibrant look. This combination works well in spaces where you want a bold statement, but it's essential not to overdo it. A small dose of complementary colours can add drama, but too much can feel overwhelming. For example, pairing a soft blue with an accent of burnt orange can add warmth without overwhelming the space.

Analogous Colours: These are next to each other on the wheel, such as blue, blue-green, and green. They typically match well and create serene and comfortable designs. This combination is perfect for areas where you want a soothing, unified atmosphere, such as bedrooms or living rooms.

Triadic Colours: These colours are evenly spaced around the wheel, like red, yellow, and blue. This scheme offers vibrant contrasts while maintaining balance, making it suitable for playrooms, kitchens, or creative spaces where energy is desired.

By keeping these basic principles in mind, you can start experimenting with colour pairings in your home.

Using neutrals as a base and layering different textures or fabrics can also soften and elevate your colour choices. Consider how neutrals allow other hues to pop without dominating the space. Everyone has a different opinion on what neutrals mean to them. Some like white, cream, beige and grey whilst to others, a neutral colour can be a soft pink or a sage green. Once you have decided on a neutral base,

2. Embrace Timeless Trends

Trends can definitely be fun and give us some inspiration when designing our own homes. However, it's the timeless trends I always ask my clients to embrace because these are much less likely to go out of fashion or at the very least, make a reappearance. Certain colour trends are making waves at the moment and I believe they'll be here to stay.

• Deep Greens and Blues: Emerald greens and navy blues are having a moment in UK interiors. They add a sense of luxury and are ideal for living rooms, kitchens, or even bedrooms when paired with soft metallics like brass or gold.

• Earth Tones: Colours inspired by nature, such as terracotta, mustard yellow, and olive green, continue to be popular in UK homes. These shades can evoke feelings of warmth and comfort, especially when paired with natural textures like wood and woven fabrics.

• Pastels: Soft hues like lavender, blush pink, and light mint green are often used for creating a calm, peaceful atmosphere, especially in bedrooms and bathrooms. They are typically paired with whites or light greys for a fresh, airy feel.

  
  

By staying updated on trends, you can keep your interior designs fresh while still adhering to timeless colour principles.

3. The Importance of Pairing

Lighting plays a crucial role in how colours appear. Natural light can bring out the true tones of your chosen colours, while artificial lighting can alter them dramatically. If in your home, natural light can sometimes be limited, it’s important to test colours in different lighting conditions.

• Warm Lighting: If you have warm, yellow-toned lights, opt for cooler shades like blue, green, or grey to balance out the warmth.

  
  

• Cool Lighting: In rooms with cool, white lighting, richer tones such as deep reds, oranges, and yellows can create a cosy, inviting atmosphere.

  
  

If you want to make sure your chosen colours will work with your existing lighting, try painting a small swatch on the wall before committing to a larger area .

4. Colours to Avoid Pairing

In my opinion, there are a few classic pitfalls to avoid:

• Clashing Primary Colours: Pairing red, yellow, and blue in large quantities can often result in an overwhelming, chaotic look.

• Too Much of One Colour: Using too much of one colour, especially bold or saturated shades, can make the space feel monotonous or overwhelming. Try to balance strong hues with neutrals or complementary shades to avoid visual fatigue.

• Bright Reds and Pink: Combining bright red with pink can create a clashing, jarring effect unless done carefully, such as using soft blush tones with deep reds for a more harmonious look.

Knowing what colours go together is essential for creating a balanced and aesthetically pleasing space. By understanding the fundamentals of colour theory, embracing timeless trends, and paying attention to lighting, you can confidently create beautiful rooms that feel both stylish and cohesive. Experiment with different combinations, and don't be afraid to take risks, as long as you keep these basic principles in mind.

Still unsure? Or maybe you're too busy to be designing your home but still want it to look amazing? Why not get in touch and work with me.