Choosing the right paint colours for your home can be an overwhelming process. The colours you pick for each room set the tone and impact the overall feel. Finding combinations that work well together is key to creating cohesive, inviting spaces. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the top stylish and timeless paint colour combinations for every room.
Understanding Colour Basics
Picking paint colours can feel tricky if the concept is new to you. But having a simple understanding of colour basics simplifies the process. The colour wheel is a good visual guide to start with. It shows all the colours neatly arranged in a circle. This makes it easy to spot colours directly across from each other – these opposite colours look super bold and dynamic when paired, even though they contrast strongly. These are called complementary colour combos.
Then analogous colours, like blue and blue-green, sit right next to each other on the colour wheel. These blend together seamlessly in a room to create a really calm, harmonious atmosphere.
Another key thing is to learn about colour tone, meaning how light or dark a colour is. If you add white to a colour to dilute it down, this is called a tint. When you add black to make the colour deeper and richer, that’s called a shade. Getting familiar with these fundamental colour concepts will make putting together paint palettes feel intuitive rather than intimidating!
Living Room Paint Colour Combinations
Since the living room is often one of the most used spaces in a home, the colours you choose here should be versatile enough to suit different styles of furniture and decor. Here are three pleasing options:
- Soft greys with warm beige: A light grey base with touches of beige and cream is a failsafe living room colour scheme. The neutral grey lets any fabrics and furnishings pop, while beige warms it up.
- Navy with crisp white: For traditional charm, navy blue accent walls or furniture against bright white has standout appeal. Navy also pairs well with pale blues and tan wood tones.
- Earth tones with greens: Layering earthy hues like brown, ochre and sage green has an organic yet refined look. Dark browns can ground the space, while olive greens give it vibrance.
Bathroom Paint Colour Combinations
Bathrooms demand hues that energise, relax or awaken the senses. Since lighting is often harsher here, lighter colours help prevent gloominess. Some rejuvenating ideas include:
- Aqua blue with white: Cool, airy aqua blue walls with clean white tilework and tub/sink fixtures keep bathrooms serene. Aqua is also associated with water and flows with white.
- Soft greys with mint green: Light to mid-range greys with a splash of mint green in towels/accents is tranquil and refreshing. Grey colour combinations allow for a versatile and calming backdrop, making the mint green pop beautifully without overwhelming the space.
- Crisp white with charcoal: A contrasting combo of bright white with dark charcoal grey tilework/accents looks ultra-sleek. Crisp white keeps the bold charcoal from feeling too cold.
Bedroom Paint Colour Combinations
Bedrooms should feel peaceful and tranquil, making them perfect for soft, muted analogic colour schemes. Combining two or three gentle hues from the blue, green or purple families creates a soothing oasis for resting and rejuvenation.
- Pastel Blues with Creamy Whites: Pairing airy shades of sky blue, ice blue or baby blue with bright, creamy whites makes sleeping spaces feel open and breezy. The pale blues are calming while the clean whites keep things spacious and cheerful. Add some wool blankets and down pillows for a room that encourages blissful relaxation.
- Lavender with Soft Greys: Lavender walls provide a delicate dose of femininity, allowing grey linens and headboards to feel smoother and more refined. Together, the pairing makes bedrooms feel romantic yet still modest. Metallic touches in silver and champagne add subtle luxury. The lavender provides the sweetness while the greys supply grounding sophistication.
- Muted Pink with Warm Taupe: Blush pink walls with beige trim and bedding give off vintage charm. The pink injects girlish character and softness, while the taupe linen and curtains provide an earthy, nostalgic grounding. Dot in antique furnishings and chandeliers for a bedroom with old-world appeal. The rosy pink walls make the space feel delicate and dreamy.
Kitchen Paint Colour Combinations
The kitchen is often called the heart of the home. As an active space for gathering and cooking, thoughtful kitchen colour schemes should reflect function and flow.
- Bright yellows with white: Cheerful lemon or daffodil yellow paired with bright white cabinets/tiles feels fresh and upbeat. Yellow boosts creativity and pairs nicely with the clean white backdrop.
- Sage green with light grey: Earthy sage green walls with soft light grey cabinetry or tiles have a nature-inspired look, while still feeling clean and modern. Touches of wood accents also complement the colours nicely.
- Navy with natural wood tones: For more masculine appeal, navy or accent walls combined with natural wood cabinetry and open shelving have depth. Navy makes wood tones richer.
Hallways and Entryways Paint Colour Combinations
Entry spaces allow for flexible, experimental paint combinations since people pass through only briefly. Feel free to try deeper shades here that you may not choose for living areas. Ideas include:
- Neutral Tawny Tones with Ivory: Warm beige, tan and light brown walls create an inviting backdrop that effortlessly matches any décor passing through. Pairing with bright ivory white trim prevents dullness and makes the small space light and airier.
- Bold Charcoal with Soft Pastels: Make a strong first impression by greeting guests with sophisticated charcoal or navy walls contrasting with unique pastel art, furniture, or area rugs in shades of pink, yellow, or blue. The dark walls amplify the playfulness of the colours.
- Warm Creams with Burnt Orange Accents: Buttery cream or antique white walls make hallways feel gracefully timeless and luminous. Infusing orangey-red shelves, tables, or artwork injects energising yet elegant flair. The mix feels rich and genuinely welcoming.
The Bottom Line
Paint colour combinations require balancing undertones and contrast. But thoughtfully pulling together room-specific palettes you love can be rewarding. Keeping the spaces’ overall mood and functionality in mind leads to harmonious paint colours. Be creative and have fun with different colour pairings. Tweaking a scheme is easier than you think.
