How to Choose a Colour Palette For Your Home

Creating a cohesive colour scheme is one of the most important processes in interior design. Colour sets the tone for every room; it defines mood, influences how we feel in a space, and brings together every element, from furniture and lighting to artwork and rugs. But with endless colours, tones, finishes, and combinations to choose from, finding the right palette can feel daunting.

Whether you’re refreshing a single room or reimagining your entire home, these expert insights will help you approach colour with confidence and creativity.

Featuring our SUMAC Brown Rust Rug.

Start With How You Want to Feel

Before picking up a paint chart, consider how you want a space to feel. Colour has an emotional language all of its own. Some colours are calming, some are invigorating, some are moody. Think of colour as atmosphere, not just decoration. If you love light, airy spaces, work with tonal layers of whites and off-whites mixed with texture. If you prefer something cocooning, richer shades create warmth and intimacy. If you want a bright, fun space, explore bold colours. 

Then Work From a Key Piece

Many designers recommend starting your colour scheme with one key piece you truly love. It might be an artwork, a statement sofa, or a statement rug. Let that item guide your palette – the tones, textures, and contrasts it contains can inspire the rest of the room.

If your starting piece is a rug, for example, pull your wall and upholstery colours from the secondary shades within its design. This approach ensures cohesion without feeling too coordinated. Alternatively, if your furnishings are neutral, a rug in an expressive colour can introduce energy and personality.

Featuring our Orla Kiely Multi Stem Kingfisher Rug.

Understand Colour Rules (and When to Break Them)

There are a few staple guidelines that can help structure your colour choices. But as with most creative rules, they’re made to be broken when done with intention.

The 60–30–10 Rule

A classic principle of interior design, this rule suggests using 60% of a dominant colour, 30% of a secondary colour, and 10% of an accent. For example, a room might feature 60% warm white walls, 30% sage green upholstery, and 10% terracotta. This ratio naturally creates balance and visual flow.

However, more expressive spaces can bend this formula. If you love bold colour blocking or monochrome looks, lean into them. The secret is consistency, repeating tones in subtle ways throughout the room so it feels intentional rather than accidental.

Warm and Cool Balance

Every hue sits somewhere on the warm–cool spectrum. Combining both adds depth. A cool palette of greys, blues, and whites gains warmth from touches of oak, blush, or brass. Likewise, a warm terracotta scheme feels fresher with cool off-white or navy blue accents.

Featuring our Coleby Petals Laura Ashley Hedgerow Green Rug.

Light Matters Most

Colour doesn’t always look the same; it shifts with natural and artificial light. Always test paint samples at different times of day. This is very important when learning how to pick paint colours. If you think you’ve found the perfect shade, it might look completely different on your wall or at a different time of day. 

Work with Texture and Tone

A considered colour scheme isn’t just about colour, it’s about tone and texture. Layering materials brings depth to a neutral palette and prevents bolder schemes from feeling overwhelming.

Tone also plays a role. Tonal palettes, where multiple shades of the same colour are used throughout a space, create harmony and sophistication. 

Experiment with Accent Colours

Accents are where personality shines. They can be bold, a hit of saffron against navy, or refined, such as antique brass against ivory. Accessories and soft furnishings are the easiest way to introduce these details, offering flexibility as trends or moods shift.

Rugs can also serve as accents in their own right. A statement design might lift a minimalist space, while a traditional Persian rug can add warmth and comfort to a contemporary scheme. The key is to repeat your accent colour in at least two other places within the room to make the look feel cohesive.

Featuring our Aspect Red Multi Rug.

When to Trust Your Instincts

Guidelines are useful, but the most memorable interiors are the ones that reflect your personality. If you adore a clash of prints or find joy in unexpected combinations, embrace that confidence. 

Remember that every home evolves. As your life and style shift, so too can your colour palette. 

Finds the Perfect Rug for Your Colour Scheme 

A beautifully considered colour scheme transforms not just how your home looks, but how it feels. Whether you’re drawn to calming neutrals or expressive colours, start with what inspires you and build from there. Let your rug be the foundation, grounding your space, tying your palette together, and bringing texture and warmth to every step.

Explore our curated rug collections today and find the perfect piece to complete your colour story.