Choosing a Cohesive Colour Palette

With countless paint brands and an endless array of shades to choose from, deciding where to start (and finish!) can feel overwhelming. However, with thoughtful planning, a carefully curated colour scheme has the power to transform the spaces we call home. As the foundation of any interior design scheme, walls and ceilings cover a vast amount of visual space in your home, making them worth the investment of time and money. Chosen with care, the right colour palette can work wonders.

Consulting on Colour
In our interior design process, we place significant emphasis on the colour consultation stage. This is where we explore our clients’ preferences—delving into the hues they are drawn to and the mood they want to create in each room. Equally important is understanding the colours they’re less keen on—it’s all part of crafting a scheme that feels both personal and harmonious. To anchor the design, we often start with a meaningful item: perhaps a cherished piece of artwork, a family heirloom, a piece of antique furniture, or even a favourite outfit! These personal touches often inspire a colour palette that truly resonates.

Try Before you Buy
Tester pots are invaluable for seeing how colours you admire online or in magazines will actually work in your space. However, we always recommend painting large A3-sized sheets of high-quality card to use before applying colour directly to your walls. These larger swatches can be moved around the room, allowing you to observe how the shade shifts with changing light throughout the day and evening. Natural light has a significant influence on how natural pigments in the Farrow & Ball paint we use for our projects appear, so it’s worth taking the time to see how it changes throughout the day.

Creative Combinations
One trend we’re seeing more of in contemporary interiors is colour-drenching—using the same shade across all surfaces to create a bold, immersive look. While this can be striking, in period homes, highlighting architectural details often adds a timeless layer of sophistication. Ceiling roses, cornices, picture rails, skirting boards, architraves, and bespoke joinery all present opportunities for contrast or tonal variation. Whether you opt for subtle differences or dramatic contrasts, these details when highlighted bring depth and character to your space. Below, you’ll find examples from our previous projects that showcase how the right colour palette can transform a space.

Be Brave
A common concern we hear is the fear of judging a freshly painted room too soon. It’s important to remember that an empty room can feel bare initially, with the paint often becoming the sole focal point. Once furniture, lighting, artwork, mirrors, and accessories are in place, the room’s personality emerges. While paint is undeniably impactful, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The finishing touches—those carefully chosen details tie everything together, so trust the process and don’t lose heart!

Let’s Talk Colour
Need guidance to perfect your palette? At Alex Interior Design, we offer expert advice tailored to your unique project. Get in touch with us today, and let’s bring colour and cohesion to your home.

Alex.

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