London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Decorating with Color: Expert Tips

Decorating with Color: Expert Tips

Our designers and editors dish out their decorating with color tips, including color scheme ideas for green, red, and more. Get our top paint picks for every color, and then keep clicking for color-by-color decorating tips.

                                

Blues


Shades of blue with a little gray boost a beachy vibe. "A range of blue-gray shades reflects a comfortable, easy lifestyle, whether you're lakeside or landlocked," says Nate Berkus, New York City-based interior designer, TV personality, author, and host of American Dream Builders on NBC. "Camel, natural linens, and seagrass all work really well with this palette, and it pairs beautifully with dark wood finishes and classic black and white," Nate says. Not so hot? "I'd steer clear of honey finishes, earth tones, and warm oranges or reds."

                                

Greens


If you're looking for a green with a little zip, give fern greens a whirl. "These greens are energetic. They work well in homes with families because they match the vibrancy of active kids," says Jill Goldberg, a Boston interior designer. To select a fern green that isn't acidic, look for paint colors with gray undertones. "They add longevity to a color and keep it current," Jill says.

                                    

Neutrals


Creamy neutrals bring layers of warmth to decor, plus they're versatile. "Everything goes with camel brown. It's like decorating with the little black dress. This palette can feel modern or classic. It's very flexible," says Janet Lee, color adviser and stylist, whose small-space decor book, Living in a Nutshell, is now out in paperback. And don't think neutrals have to be boring. "Neutral color doesn't mean neutral personality," Janet says. Varying shades in the same family creates pizzazz -- especially in a small space. “Put oyster and butter with shades of caramel, and the look is so sophisticated," she says.

                                

Yellows


These happy daffodil hues are a sure mood-booster. "I'm hooked on the joyous, youthful, and adventurous atmosphere yellow affords a room," says Will Taylor, the creative force behind the Bright.Bazaar blog and book Bright Bazaar: Embracing Color for Make-You-Smile Style. Will says yellow is a sociable color that works best with other hues. In a broad color scheme, "a peppering of accents -- a vase, throw, or cushion -- will make a room soar," he says. To pick an allover yellow for walls, "Opt for a creamy shade that contains white," he says. "And choose paint that has a chalky finish."

                                

Pinks


Petal pinks are bright pick-me-ups, but they can also be surprisingly sophisticated and livable. To suit grown-up tastes, skip the confectionary pinks like bubble gum and cotton candy. "Choose a pink that is found in nature, like the pink in a sunset," says Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey, a designer in Washington, D.C. And what pinks are hot right now? "What I'm seeing is less of a blue-gray pink and more of a coral pink. It's a natural evolution from orange," she says.

                                

Oranges


If tangerine has too much zing, give these softer golden oranges a whirl. "These yellow-oranges create moods in a room. Lemony orange is happy. Reddish orange is welcoming. Brownish orange is more serious," says Asler Valero, a New York City interior designer and color palette creator for California Paints. To use orange as an enveloping room color, Asler prefers the creamier shades that border yellow. "These lighter colors are refined, classic, and livable," he says. But don't let orange stray too far and wash out. "Avoid light yellow," he says. "It disappears. The best shades are vivid and earthy and influenced by browns."

                                

Reds


Inspired by the summer staple, these tomato reds and oranges are daring picks that pay off. "You have to have a little bit of a fearless streak to use these colors. But their strength can make a room feel anchored and elegant," says designer Molly Luetkemeyer. "When you do a strong move on the wall, you've thrown down the gauntlet. The other pieces in the room need to have the same level of intensity," she says. Try this trick when choosing colors. Get a sample of the hue you like plus three variations: one lighter, one more gray, and one more brown (look at the adjacent strips on the display for these). "A color with a little bit of 'mud' in it will be more sophisticated," Molly says.

                                

Purples


Purple doesn't need to mean childish -- a grown-up look is all about picking the right hues. "People think the color is childish or overbearing, but if you stay in the whispery purples, there's a sense of restraint about the color that's really appealing," says Anne Coyle, a Chicago interior designer known for her color sense. But keep in mind that lavender is not a soloist; it needs harmony. "Avoid using it in a kitchen or bathroom," she says. With limited complements of pattern, texture, and color, "it gets old really quick."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×