Choosing colours is the most exciting and most intimidating part of decorating. This guide makes it simple.
Use the 60-30-10 rule
60% of the room in a dominant colour (walls, large furniture), 30% in a secondary colour (curtains, accent chairs) and 10% in an accent (cushions, art, accessories).
Start from something you love
Pull a palette from a rug, an artwork or a favourite fabric. Designers often do exactly this.
Test before you commit
Paint looks different in every light.
- Paint large swatches on two different walls.
- Check them morning, noon and night.
- Consider undertones: warm (yellow/red) vs cool (blue/green).
Ready for more inspiration? Browse all decorating guides or start with our colour palette guide.
