Great color rules designers use for a balanced scheme

It can often feel like warm colors are the only way to get into interiors, but this may eventually change. We’ve been seeing cooler colors being used in interiors lately, and the result is both calming and stylish.

with risk great color schemes (and why it seems more forgiving to stick to warm tones) is that they can make spaces look cold and boring if they’re not balanced properly. Therefore, the key to achieving cool tones is to ensure your space is inviting and full of depth by considering the color scheme as a whole.

However, color schemes can often be a minefield with many things to consider. To help make things a little easier, we asked designers and color experts for their most popular color guidelines for ensuring a balanced space.

‘Cool tones such as blues, greens and grays can bring a sense of calm and serenity to a space, making them perfect for evoking a sense of tranquility in your space,’ explains the London-based interior designer. Natalya Miyar. ‘However, if not balanced carefully they can also make the room appear stiff and cold.’

8 rules to follow when decorating with cold colors

‘Cool colors such as blues and greens create a relaxing and serene atmosphere, making them ideal for children. small rooms or spaces designed for relaxation,’ explains Senior Color Marketing Manager Hannah Yeo benjamin moore. ‘Lighter tones can help a room appear larger, while darker tones add a sophisticated and impressive touch.’

Before deciding how to add balance to your cool color scheme, you should start by understanding how coolness varies between specific shades within the same color family, says Hannah:

‘Not all greens and blues classify as cool. Color is relative and every hue has nuances that can be warm or cool. For example, olive green has a warm undertone, while fresh, mint green has a distinctly cold feel. Understanding these undertones can help you achieve balance and add depth and dimension to your space.’

Read on to learn how experts balance and make the most of cool colors for a harmonious and harmonious space.

Color, Farrow and Ball Decoration

Get inspired for your color schemes with this book from Farrow & Ball, full of colorful ideas covering a variety of styles.

1. Choose warm-toned lighting and equipment

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

You should be very careful about this lighting ideas in a cool color scheme as they offer a subtle way of warming up the space.

‘We’re warming up lighting and hardware choices in rooms typically decorated in cool tones,’ explain designers Jordan Winston and Tate Casper. Oxford Design. ‘Brass and bronze add a much-needed layer of warmth to cool tones.’

From warm-toned hardware to the tone of the lighting, sticking to warm tones when designing lighting will ensure that the room’s dominant cool colors don’t make the space boring.

2. Stick to light, cool tones

(Image credit: Walls in Stardew by Sherwin Williams)

If you want to embrace cool tones in your home but maintain a neutral feel, stick to slightly cool tones when it comes to your home. paint ideas. Instead of reaching for saturated blues and greens, go for softer variations of these typically cool hues. This will provide a relaxed atmosphere that is not overtly ‘cool’.

‘One of my favorite ‘rules’ when using cool colors is to use subtle tones in your design,’ says interior stylist Alexis Woodbury Earman. Woodbury House. ‘A great example is to use a paler blue instead of the traditional primary blue. color wheel. ‘This method allows you to use more than one color in a space without losing the light and airy feel associated with cooler tones.’

3. Create a similar color scheme

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Another rule that designers use while sticking to the color wheel is color theory. similar color schemes. In other words, colors that are next to each other on the color wheel are used in a room, that is, in the case of cold colors, there may be shades such as purple, blue, green.

“When working with cool colours, I always make sure the room has a similar color scheme, which means using at least three great colors in a room to work together to create interest,” explains designer Gabrielle Bove. Opaline Interior Architecture Studio. ‘I always use wood and natural woven textures to balance and warm up a cool color scheme.’

4. Add warmth with texture

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

When designing a room based on cool colours, it is equally important to consider the textures within the space. Textures such as wood, rattan and wool can increase warmth and add a cozy feel to the space.

‘I like to add warmth through textures, accents or materials like wood, brass or warm lighting to keep a space from feeling too cold,’ says designer Natalia Miyar. ‘Layering different shades can also help add depth and keep the space from feeling sterile.’

Designer Courtney Hill Utt Chu Interiors she also recommends this approach, adding: ‘Always mix warmer tones and accents to balance the predominantly cool palette, so the space feels solid and timeless. ‘It could be little touches like a warm wooden coffee table.’

“Materials such as matte surfaces, soft linens and organic textiles play an important role in adding warmth and depth to a space,” says Design Manager Carolina Wierzbicka. August. ‘A cool-toned room might feature velvet pillows, woven throws or textured wallpaper.’

5. Incorporate natural elements

(Image credit: Farrow and Ball)

Another great color rule to consider is introduce natural materials. This can create a relaxing atmosphere that enhances the soothing feeling of cool color tones.

‘Bringing together elements of nature is a key neuroaesthetic strategy, and cool colors work particularly well with biophilic design principles,’ explains founder designer Erica McLain. McLain of Design Interiors.

‘The use of greenery, for example, connects us with the relaxing effect of nature,’ adds Erica. ‘To enhance this, use live plants or natural stone to tie the color scheme into organic patterns. ‘This not only enhances visual appeal, but also fosters a deep sense of well-being based on our innate connection with nature.’

6. Use the 60-30-10 rule

(Image credit: Victoria Covell Interiors, photo by Anna Stathaki)

The 60-30-10 color rule is a well-known color rule and one that Interior Design Director and Color Psychologist Tash Bradley follows. To lickRecommended when working with cold tones.

‘The general rule is if you’re decorating with a cool color like blue, green or purple, separate it out according to your decoration. 60-30-10 rule‘ says Tash. ‘So if the dominant color is cool, which is 60% of you, I would add a warm color to the 30%. It can complementary color – I always look at the opposite side of the color wheel. If you chose blue, choose orange for 30% of you.’

The remaining 10% can be used as a slightly more vibrant hue. highlight colorcan add a colorful, unexpected moment to complete the scheme.

‘Back up with a little injection of warm color,’ adds Tash. ‘This could be through your sofa, bed or upholstery.’

Interior designer Katie Schroder, principal designer and founder Workshop Interior Design He also follows this rule when working with cold colors: ‘When decorating with cold tones, you should be careful not to use only cold tones. Rust and mustard are great colors to balance cool tones, or if you want to add neutrals, use ivory, camel and brown tones to warm it up.’

7. Consider the orientation of your room

(Image credit: Studio McGee)

It is widely known that the direction a room faces (north, south, east or west) will affect how much sunlight it receives and therefore how paint colors appear in space. While this can make the paint selection process one that requires a lot of thought, Tash Bradley’s rule makes it easy to navigate: Use cool colors with warm undertones in north-facing rooms (northern hemisphere).

“Just think about the room you’re decorating,” Tash begins. ‘So if it’s a north-facing room and you want to go for a cooler colour, go for a cooler color with a warm undertone. Choose blue, green or purple with red, pink or yellow undertones. If you have an east, south or west facing room, don’t worry about the undertone.’

8. Create a tonal color scheme

(Image credit: Farrow and Ball)

Finally, designers are tone color chart When working with cool colors.

Carolina Wierzbicka adds: ‘Cool colors do not have to be monotonous; “Layering different shades of cool colors within the same color family is another contemporary approach,” he adds. ‘For example, mixing light and dark blues or playing with different shades of gray can create a sophisticated yet dynamic space. This subtle variation keeps the design visually interesting.’

Designer Erica McLain agrees: ‘Consider layering different shades of the same cool color family. ‘Pairing a pale blue wall with darker blue or teal furniture creates a gradient of color that adds dimension and interest.’

Each of these great color rules will make your scheme feel balanced and comfortable, and will significantly prevent the chill. Of course, you need to consider the specific space you’re working with because some rules will work better in certain rooms. Whatever rule works for you, expect to see more love for cool color trends In 2025.