Interior design is full of rules.
But rules are also meant to be broken, especially in regard to something as subjective as color.
Who says you might’t mix black and navy?
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And why shouldn’t fuchsia and orange be allowed to mix and mingle in the same room?
“I like to stick to one color in a room and vary the intensity of it.
“When it comes to color, I don’t follow any formula or rules,” Hunter says.
Design byEmily Henderson/ Photo by Kaitlin Green
“I prefer to draw inspiration from nature or my surroundings when imagining the perfect color palette.
By sticking to rules, the design often feels forced and unnatural.”
“Mix warm toned terracotta vessels with cool-toned florals or coffee table books in green or blue.”
Cate Black Photography
Any Color Can Be a Neutral
Don’t be afraid to make your own neutrals.
Choose that vibrant blue that’s calling to you or that electrifying orange.
“Colors brighten and intensify when they are applied to large spaces.”
Design byEmily Henderson/ Photo by Kaitlin Green
“Neutral colors help create color balance in a space and offers areas for the eye to rest.”
These neutrals help ground the space while giving a solid foundation for more fun with accent colors.
“Paint asmall room dark, mix patterns, just have fun,” Carly Blumberg ofCarly Homesays.
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“Color choice is tricky, even for designers,” says Katharine Rhudy ofReed & Acanthus.
“My number one rule isneverchoose paint colors remotely.”
Paint colors need to be seen on the wall and in different areas of the room, Rhudy says.
Markus Wilborn
“It harkens back to design 101, color theory.”
Color theory blends art and science, and it should tell you which colors achieve the most harmony together.
For a brighter, bolder style, try complementary or triadic colors.
Design by Emily Bowser forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel and can also make a big statement.
“I rely on Joseph Albers' key principles about color,” Ballon says.
“His leading theory was the color you perceive is relative to what color is next to it.”
Reed & Acanthus
“Which specific hues of these color combinations are where the magic is,” Ballon says.
“The 60-30-10 ruleis a must,” Nessbach says.
“60% of your main hue lays the foundation, like the canvas for your masterpiece.
Styled byEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Then, 30% splashes in a complementary color, which gives life to furniture and drapes.
And then finally, 10% for that unexpected pop.”
That pop can be accent pillows, quirky art, or a patterned lamp.
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Break the 60-30-10 Rule
On the flip side, not everyone believes in the 60-30-10 rule.
If you want a monochromaticneutral space, do it.
If you want it to be all blue or all orange, remember it’s your space.
LaJoy Photography
No one says you have to follow strict ratios to achieve color perfection.
Its your own personal color palette.”
If you follow this one rule, you don’t need to follow anything else.
Markus Wilborn
Debbe Daley Designs
LaJoy Photography
