How to Create a Beautiful Color Scheme at Home (Without Overthinking It)

Jessica Shannel
Mar 16, 2020
2 min read

A cohesive color scheme is the secret to a beautiful, well-styled home. But let’s be honest—it’s not always easy to pull colors together and still create that effortless, polished look.

The good news? You don’t need to be an interior designer to master this. Whether you're starting with a blank canvas or refreshing your space, thinking creatively and using a few design principles can make all the difference.

Let’s talk color, harmony, and how to bring it all together—beautifully.

1. Start With Color Harmony

Color harmony is all about balance and flow. When done right, it makes a space feel calm, interesting, and pulled together. Repetition of colors and tones throughout your home creates a natural rhythm that's pleasing to the eye.

🎨 Quick tip: Stick to 2-4 main colors in any space. Too many bold shades competing for attention can make a room feel chaotic.

2. Draw Inspiration From What You Love

Color inspiration is everywhere—literally. Nature, fashion, food, even your favorite throw pillow can become the muse for your home’s color story.

A flat lay of an apricot with complementary swatches and textiles next to it—showing how inspiration translates from fruit to home.

Take this example: Apricots have a soft orange hue, muted golds, greens, and subtle blush undertones. You don’t need to use these exact shades, but pulling similar tones into a space can create a warm, inviting vibe. Think terra-cotta, peachy beige, creamy whites, and leafy greens.

3. Make a Statement With a Dominant Color

Sometimes, it’s about one bold move. Choose a bright or light color as your main focal point, then layer in supportive tones.

A living room with a bold colored wall, softened with Jewel-toned chairs, a neutral white rug, and wood accents.

This is a great way to use three-color harmony: one dominant shade, a secondary tone, and a grounding neutral (white or wood).

4. Let a Single Object Lead

If choosing a whole color scheme sounds overwhelming, just start with one thing you love. It could be a blanket, a vintage lamp, a piece of art, or even a pen with the perfect hue. From there, build your room's color palette around it.

A cozy styled corner showing a statement pillow or piece of art, with swatches or paint cards laid out nearby.

This approach makes the process feel more personal and meaningful—not just trendy.

5. Try a Monochromatic Look

Love one color more than anything? Lean into it.

A monochromatic color scheme (where you use one color in various shades) works especially well in smaller spaces like bedrooms, reading nooks, or bathrooms.

A soft-toned blue bedroom with light walls, darker throw pillows, and rich navy bedding for contrast.

Just be sure to mix textures—think matte and gloss, soft and structured—to avoid the space feeling flat.

Final Thoughts

The key to a well-styled home isn’t following strict rules—it’s about finding what feels harmonious to you. Use color to tell your story. Take your time. Experiment. And most of all—have fun with it.

Whether you're drawn to earthy neutrals or bold brights, there’s always a way to make it work beautifully.