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How to choose colors for your home, how to choose a color scheme, how to choose a color palette, color palettes for the home, color schemes for the home, color schemes, color palettes, color schemes for living room

How To Choose a Color Scheme Like a Designer

Picking out a color scheme for your home can be tricky!  And frustrating!  Wouldn’t it be easier to just have someone do it for you??  We’ve all been there 🙂  Today I want to share how the pros do it.  You’ll love how easy it really is with these 4 simple steps.

Related: 3 Ways to Decorate Like a Designer, Cozy Living Room Mood Board, 40 Fabulous Throw Pillows

How To Choose a Color Scheme Like a Designer

Step 1: Pick your primary (or main) color.

This color will be used in the medium areas in the room.  Things like the drapes, furniture, bedding, rugs.

How to choose colors for your home, how to choose a color scheme, how to choose a color palette, color palettes for the home, color schemes for the home, color schemes, color palettes, color schemes for living room

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Notice the blue on the drapes, in the rug and on the chairs.

Step 2: Pick your secondary color.

This color will be used in the smaller areas in the room.  Things like accent chairs and pillows.  Just find a color wheel (google it!), locate your primary color and find the opposite color.  That would be your complementary color.  You would use this (or any version of this) for your secondary color.

How to choose colors for your home, how to choose a color scheme, how to choose a color palette, color palettes for the home, color schemes for the home, color schemes, color palettes, color schemes for living room

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Red is clearly the primary color here, and they are using blue as the secondary with the headboard.

Now, you don’t need to limit yourself to only one color!  If you’re feeling adventurous, try for a split complementary scheme or an analogous scheme.

Split complementary scheme

Follow the same instructions for finding your secondary color and then choose the two colors on each side of the complementary color.

How to choose colors for your home, how to choose a color scheme, how to choose a color palette, color palettes for the home, color schemes for the home, color schemes, color palettes, color schemes for living room

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I would say that the primary color here is blue, and the secondary colors are in the peach and red family.

Analogous scheme

Find your primary color, and use that and any three to five colors that are the neighbors on the wheel.

How to choose colors for your home, how to choose a color scheme, how to choose a color palette, color palettes for the home, color schemes for the home, color schemes, color palettes, color schemes for living room

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Blue, violet, red and oranges!

Step 3: Mix up the accents.

Use a combination of your main color and your secondary color for your smaller accents.  You could try using different shades or a stronger intensity of the colors!

How to choose colors for your home, how to choose a color scheme, how to choose a color palette, color palettes for the home, color schemes for the home, color schemes, color palettes, color schemes for living room

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Notice all the greens and blues used on the book shelves, TV shelf and tray on the coffee table.

Step 4: Pick your neutral color.

This color will be used in the dominant areas in the room.  Things like the walls and ceiling.

How to choose colors for your home, how to choose a color scheme, how to choose a color palette, color palettes for the home, color schemes for the home, color schemes, color palettes, color schemes for living room

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It doesn’t have to just be white, cream or grey!  This light pink is beautiful!

Bonus!

I don’t want to leave out the monochromatic color scheme!  If you love one color, go for it!  Use different shades, tints and tones of the color to give your room dimension.

How to choose colors for your home, how to choose a color scheme, how to choose a color palette, color palettes for the home, color schemes for the home, color schemes, color palettes, color schemes for living room

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Don’t feel trapped!

Use this as a guide.  Something to get you started.  If you love following steps and this works for you, great!  But, don’t feel like you can’t paint your walls navy, because it’s not considered a “neutral”.  Have fun and experiment.  Let these tips get you started and choose a color scheme like a designer!

If you’re still feeling stuck, I’d love to help!  I offer affordable consultations and eDesign!  Let’s talk!

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Need some help picking out what colors to use in your home? Click here to learn how to choose a color scheme like a designer! How to choose colors for your home, how to choose a color scheme, how to choose a color palette, color palettes for the home, color schemes for the home, color schemes, color palettes, color schemes for living room
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Comments

  1. Linda says

    This was a great post, filled with great ideas and lots of inspiration.

    I also enjoyed checking out some of your other posts as well as your website. You have a new follower here!

  2. Heather says

    I loved this post so much I had to share it on my facebook page! I love the way you explained this. You made it simple and fun! Love your Blog!

    • Nicole says

      Thank you so much Heather! I’m glad you liked it and shared it! I try to make things simple and straightforward, so that means a lot! Your blog is beautiful too! Have a great day 🙂