Begin with a simple, consistent background across connected rooms to create balance and perceived space. Avoid monotony by introducing contrasting accents through accessories and upholstery. Choose wall colors based on natural light and exposure, test large samples in the room at different times of day, and coordinate floors and ceilings to ground the space. Personalize the final scheme so it reflects how you live.

Start with a clear background

When planning interior colors, begin by simplifying the number and arrangement of ornaments: wall art, rugs, lighting fixtures, and cushions. A restrained background - a consistent wall, floor and major upholstery palette - creates balance and allows smaller, more individual accents to stand out without creating visual chaos.

Use a unified palette in small or open-plan spaces

In small homes or connected rooms, repeating a single base scheme or related tones makes spaces feel larger and calmer. For example, groupings like wood browns and warm beiges, or different tones of greys and blues, help rooms read as a coherent whole. Then introduce personality room-by-room with accessories: cushions, throws, lampshades and art.

Open-plan living benefits from this approach: choose a dominant background that ties the areas together, and vary accents to define function without breaking visual flow.

Avoid monotony with contrasting accents

A main background need not be boring. Avoid monotony by planning contrasting notes in each room. Use one or two bold accent colors in accessories or a single upholstered piece to create interest. If main textiles are boldly patterned, keep walls and floors simple; when the floor or rug is a definite design, opt for plainer wall and upholstery treatments.

Let light and exposure guide wall color

Let a room's natural light determine your wall choices. Sunlit rooms can carry both warm and cool colors, while shaded or north-facing rooms generally feel warmer with yellows, warm beiges, pinks or soft greens. Consider the effect of lighting: bulb color (warm vs. cool LEDs) and nearby outdoor reflections can change how a paint or wallpaper reads.

Test large samples and view them in place

Always try large paint or wallpaper samples on the actual wall and observe them at different times of day. A sample near a window or opposite a neighboring building can look very different once light and reflections are considered. For tight budgets, paint test patches or temporarily hang large wallpaper samples before committing.

Balance floors, ceilings and fabrics

Ceilings lighter than walls add airiness. Floors - whether wood, rug, or carpet - should generally be slightly darker than side walls to ground a room. Coordinate the scale of patterns: large florals or stripes need simpler supporting elements, while small-patterned rugs pair well with bolder upholstery.

Make it personal

The most successful schemes reflect who lives in the space. Use your own taste as the final filter. Keep furniture and major items in places that support the overall scheme, and use accessories to adapt a room's mood over time. With thoughtful planning and selective accents, a color scheme can remain attractive and resilient through changing trends.

FAQs about Interior Design Colors

Should I use the same color throughout my small apartment?
Repeating a single background palette or related tones across connected rooms makes a small apartment feel larger and calmer. Vary character with accents like cushions, lamps, and rugs to avoid monotony.
How do I choose wall color for a north-facing room?
North-facing or shaded rooms benefit from warmer tones - soft yellows, warm beiges, pinks or muted greens - to counteract cooler natural light and create a sunnier feel.
How large should a wallpaper or paint sample be?
Use a large sample that covers a meaningful portion of the wall so you can judge color and pattern at different times of day and account for reflections from nearby buildings or lighting.
What if my rug or upholstery is very patterned?
If rugs or upholstery are bold or heavily patterned, keep walls and larger fabrics simple and more neutral to prevent visual competition and maintain harmony.
How can lighting affect my color choices?
Light temperature (warm vs. cool bulbs) and the amount of natural light change how colors appear. Always view samples under the room's typical lighting conditions.