9 Interior Color Schemes Design Pros Swear By

Creating a color scheme sounds like a fun task, but when it comes to an interior palette the stakes can feel high. No one wants to have to repaint a room or return a sofa because the color is wrong. And frankly, it’s hard enough to pick a single wall color let alone the color scheme for an entire room.

To determine what colors sing together, there’s a whole world of color science to explore, but for fast and foolproof answers—that didn’t require extra thinking—we turned to decorating pros. We asked designers for their favorite three- and four-color combinations, and they obliged with a wide range of options. Consider this a color cheat sheet for your home.

Off-White, Red, and Coral

“A color formula that always works for me is using a neutral, textured base as your first “color”—think paneled walls in a warm white or a textured grasscloth wallpaper," Emily C. Butler, an interior designer based in New York City, says. "Then, I layer on a pair of colors from the same family, such as red and coral.” This infuses a quick pop of color into your space without overwhelming it.

Black, White, and Mustard 

April Gandy, the Principal Designer at Alluring Designs Chicago often likes to use black as her primary color and work the other colors in around it. “Black always creates a very luxe foundation,” she says. “I love using black and white because the colors are so neutral that any pop of color, including rich mustard, pairs well with them.” 

Light Blue, Dark Blue, and Goldenrod

“A great way to make a subtle statement is to layer different intensities of the same hue,” says Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director of BHDM Design and ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini in New York City. Lighter blue walls with a darker ceiling, for instance, create volume, he says, noting, “The darker color creates a receding illusion to make the room appear bigger.” Or, as illustrated in the room pictured above, you can pair lighter blue walls with a darker blue sofa and accents, along with a contrasting shade on the opposite side of the color spectrum—like a golden yellow.

Blue, Sage, and Gray

If you’re looking to achieve a minimal, refreshing vibe in your space, Jessica Harris, interior designer and manager of production design at Living Spaces in Los Angeles, suggests a more muted palette of blue, sage, and gray—which she says will give your home “a calming effect.” 

Aqua Blue, Coral, and Daffodil

Everyone loves a palette that starts with blue, but for something a little punchier, Harris proposes you start with a teal-leaning or aqua blue. “Teal and aqua will give you a room that feels tranquil, and introducing bright accent colors, like coral and daffodil, will bring a sense of positivity into the space,” she says. “This color palette is playful and fun.”

Navy Blue, Lavender, and Red-Orange

If your style leans maximalist, Mazzarini says you want colors with high vibrations to them. “Look to the color wheel for inspiration and guidance," he says. "Think orange and pink, or blue and lavender. These are more than just complementary colors; they have an energizing effect beside one another.” Then, add an accent in a tertiary hue for pop.

Oranges, Yellow, and Purple

If you’re feeling bold, Harris suggests a “sunset palette,” a combination of a soft shade of orange, such as rust and terra cotta, with hits of yellow and purple to create a design that feels like the sky at sundown.

Tomato Red, Soft White, and Sky Blue

When looking for color combinations, I often turn to Rebecca Atwood’s book Living With Color, which explores how colors relate to one another in interior settings. Atwood points out that it’s all about the specific shades you choose, writing, “You might think red, white and blue would feel very traditional and patriotic, but it doesn’t need to if you pick shades that are less expected.”

Mint Green, Sand, and Dark Blue

“Mint green makes for a great backdrop,” Atwood writes in her book, suggesting you pair them with “soft cream or sand hues to keep the palette feeling natural and grounded.” Then, to add contrast, she suggests a finishing touch of deep marine blue that borders on black.

Try this color combo shortcut

You’ve probably heard of paint companies announcing their “color of the year,” but did you know that many of them also release annual color palettes, as well? For example, Benjamin Moore and HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams both create curated color palettes in which all the colors complement one another. Drawing on these for inspiration doesn’t mean you need to have three different paint colors in one room, by the way: You can use their specific hues as inspiration for textiles, wall paper, and more.