Become Your Own Interior Designer: How to Choose Colour Palettes Like a Professional Interior Designer
- lynspurrier
- Oct 28, 2024
- 5 min read
Are you ready to transform your space with a stunning colour palette but aren’t sure where to start? Choosing the right colours is one of the most crucial aspects of interior design, and it’s something anyone can master with the right guidance.
Learning to pick colour palettes like a professional interior designer will not only elevate your home but also give you the confidence to experiment with styles that reflect your personality.
In this blog, we'll dive into the basics of colour selection and offer some insider tips on how to create harmonious, eye-catching colour palettes. Using these steps, you’ll gain the skills to craft beautifully cohesive rooms, and if you’re looking to take it a step further, check out our Self-Taught Designers Hub for more in-depth training and resources!
Why Colour Matters in Interior Design
Colour has the power to transform any room, impacting the mood, style, and overall aesthetic. Professional interior designers carefully select colour palettes to create a desired atmosphere - whether it’s a cosy, intimate vibe for a living room or a bright, energizing feel for a kitchen. When you choose the right colours, you create harmony, set a tone, and achieve a look that feels complete and intentional.
If you’re wondering, “How do I choose a colour palette that looks professionally designed?” you’re in the right place. Let’s break down how you can use tried-and-true design techniques to choose colours like a pro.
Step 1: Start with a Colour Wheel
A colour wheel is a designer’s secret weapon! Understanding basic colour theory will help you make informed choices about how colours work together. Here are a few essential terms to know:
Primary Colours: Red, blue, and yellow. All other colours stem from these.
Secondary Colours: Green, orange, and purple, created by mixing primary colours.
Tertiary Colours: Colours made by mixing primary and secondary colours, like teal or magenta.
Understanding complementary, analogous, and monochromatic colour schemes can help you create visual balance and contrast. For instance, complementary colours (like blue and orange) add vibrant contrast, while analogous colours (like blue, teal, and green) create harmony.
Step 2: Choose Your Base Colour
Every professional designer starts with a base colour - the dominant colour that sets the foundation for the rest of the palette. This colour will cover larger elements in your space, like walls, flooring, or main furniture pieces. Choose a colour that suits the mood you want to create: calming blues and greens for relaxation, earthy neutrals for warmth, or bold hues for an energizing effect.
Step 3: Build Your Palette with Accent and Complementary Colours
After choosing your base colour, it’s time to add accent and complementary colours. These secondary colours should enhance your base colour and add depth to your design. Designers typically recommend a 60-30-10 rule: 60% of your space should feature your base colour, 30% a secondary colour, and 10% an accent colour.
Accent Colours: These add pops of contrast. Try using bolder shades on pillows, decor, or art pieces.
Complementary Colours: Select shades that either harmonize or contrast with your base colour, depending on the look you want.
If your base is a neutral tone, add complementary colours like rich blues or vibrant greens to introduce energy. If you’re going bold with your base, balance it with soft, neutral accents to avoid overwhelming the space.
Step 4: Consider Colour Psychology
Professional designers often consider colour psychology when selecting colour palettes. Colours can evoke emotions, so it’s essential to think about the mood you want in each room.
Warm Colours (reds, oranges, yellows): Create a cosy, inviting atmosphere. Ideal for social spaces like the living room or dining room.
Cool Colours (blues, greens, purples): Calm and relaxing, making them perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms.
Neutral Colours (greys, browns, whites): Versatile and grounding, creating a balanced backdrop that can adapt to any style.
For example, if you want your bedroom to feel restful, shades of blue, grey, or soft greens can create a serene environment. For a home office, consider energizing colours like yellow or orange to boost creativity and focus.
Step 5: Test Swatches in Different Lighting
Natural light changes throughout the day, affecting how colours look. Before committing to a colour palette, try testing swatches of your chosen colours in different lighting conditions. Observe how your base and accent colours look in both natural light and artificial light. This step ensures that the colours you select will look as intended in various settings and times of day.
Step 6: Create a Digital Mood Board on Pinterest
Pinterest is an excellent tool for visualizing how your chosen colours will work together. Create a digital mood board with photos, colour swatches, and textures that represent your ideal palette. Seeing your colours side by side will help you refine your choices and build confidence in your design decisions.
Organize your Pinterest boards by room, style, or colour scheme to keep your inspiration cohesive. Use terms like “neutral colour schemes for bedrooms,” “cosy colour palette for living room,” or “modern colour ideas” when searching for pins to save.
Step 7: Add Finishing Touches with Textures and Patterns
Colour is essential, but textures and patterns play a huge role in how a colour palette feels in a space. Mixing materials like wood, metal, and textiles can add richness and dimension to a single colour scheme. For example, pairing a soft grey with a woven throw, metal accents, and a touch of leather creates a layered, luxurious look.
Become Your Own Interior Designer
Learning to choose colour palettes like a professional interior designer is just the beginning of your design journey to becoming your own interior designer! When you know how to work with colour, you can transform any space and express your personality in your home.
Want to take your design skills to the next level? Consider joining the Self-Taught Designers Hub, where you’ll find our “Discover the Designer in You” Masterclass. This comprehensive course was created by a self-taught interior designer with over 20 years of experience. It includes all the essential knowledge you need to go from inspiration to reality, helping you master everything from colour selection to room layout.
Ready to Become a Self-Taught Designer?
By using Pinterest as your colour palette coach and the Self-Taught Designers Hub for deeper training, you’ll gain the confidence to make design choices that look polished and professional. Start with your favourite colours, explore new combinations, and transform your home into a space that feels uniquely yours.
Learn More and Join Today to unlock your full creative potential and bring your vision to life with expert guidance and professional techniques!
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