It’s easy to think that warm colors are the only colors available in interiors, but that may finally be changing. Recently, cool colors are often seen in interior spaces, creating a balance of calmness and style.
The risk of a cool color scheme (and why sticking to warm colors seems more forgiving) is that if not properly balanced, a space can feel cold and bleak. Therefore, the key to achieving cool hues is to consider the color scheme as a whole and make the space feel cozy and deep.
That being said, color schemes are often a minefield with a lot to consider. To make things a little easier, we asked designers and color experts for their go-to cool color rules for ensuring a balanced space.
“Cool tones such as blues, greens and grays are perfect for bringing calm and tranquility to a space and evoking a sense of peace in a space,” explains London-based interior designer Natalia Miyar. “However, if not carefully balanced, it can make a room look bleak and cold.”
8 rules to follow when decorating with cool colors
“Cold colors like blues and greens create a relaxing and calming atmosphere, making them perfect for small rooms or spaces designed for relaxation,” explains Hannah Yeoh, senior color marketing manager at Benjamin Moore. Masu. “Lighter shades can help make a room feel larger, while darker shades can add sophistication and drama.”
Before deciding how to add balance to a cool color scheme, Hannah suggests that you should start by understanding how cool varies between specific colors within the same color family.
“Not all greens and blues are classified as cool. Colors are relative, and each hue has nuances that lean towards warm or cool. For example, olive green is a warm shade. But fresh mint green has a distinctly cool feel to it. By understanding these underlying qualities, you can create balance and add depth and dimension to your space.”
Learn how experts balance cool colors and make the most of a harmonious, cohesive space.
Decorate with colors, farrows and balls
Get color inspiration with this book by Farrow & Ball, packed with colorful ideas covering a variety of styles.
1. Choose warm lighting and hardware
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
You should pay close attention to lighting ideas with cool color schemes. Because it’s a subtle way to warm up a space.
“Rooms decorated in cool tones typically involve careful lighting and hardware selection,” explain designers Jordan Winston and Tate Casper of Oxford Design. “Brass and bronze add a much-needed layer of warmth to cold tones.”
From warm-toned fixtures and fittings to the tone of the lighting itself, sticking to warm tones when designing your lighting can ensure that a room’s predominant cool colors don’t make the space feel monotonous.
2. Stick to subtle cool tones
(Image credit: Walls in Stardew by Sherwin Williams)
If you want to incorporate cool tones into your home but want to maintain a neutral feel, stick to subtle cool tones when it comes to paint ideas. Rather than reaching for saturated blues and greens, look to softer variations of these classic cool tones. This ensures a comfortable environment that is not obviously “cool”.
“One of my favorite ‘rules’ when using cool colors is to use subtle tones in your design,” says interior stylist Alexis Woodbury Urman of The Woodbury Home. “A good example is using more pale blues on the color wheel rather than the traditional primary colors. This allows you to use multiple colors in a space without sacrificing the light and airy feel that is often associated with cooler tones. You can.”
3. Create a similar color scheme
(Image credit: Little Green)
While sticking to the color wheel, another rule designers focus on is the theory of analogous color schemes. In other words, this is where colors that are next to each other on the color wheel are used in a room, such as shades of purple, blue, or green for cool colors.
“When working with cool colors, always make sure the rooms have a similar color scheme, meaning use at least three cool colors in the room so they interact with each other to create interest,” Opaline Interiors Studio designer Gabriel Bove explains. “I always use wood and natural woven textures to balance the cool color scheme and add warmth.”
4. Add warmth with texture
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
When designing a room with cool colors, it’s equally important to consider the textures within the space. Textures such as wood, rattan, and wool add warmth to the space and give it a cozy feel.
“To keep a space from feeling cold, I like to add warmth through textures, accents, and materials like wood, brass, and warm lighting,” says designer Natalia Miyar. “Layering different shades adds depth and can also prevent a space from feeling sterile.”
Designer Courtney Hill at Chu Interiors also endorses this approach, adding: “Always mix in warm tones and accents to complement a primarily cool palette, so that the space feels stable and timeless.” It might be a good idea. ”
“Materials such as matte finishes, soft linens and organic textiles play an important role in adding warmth and depth to a space,” agrees Karolina Wierzbicka, Head of Design at August. “Rooms in cool tones might feature velvet cushions, woven throws, and textured wallpaper.”
5. Incorporate natural elements
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
Another cool color rule to consider is introducing natural materials. This can further enhance the restful atmosphere of cool colors and create a calming atmosphere.
“Incorporating natural elements is a fundamental neuroaesthetic strategy, and cool colors pair particularly well with biophilic design principles,” says designer Erica McLain, founder of McLain by Design Interiors. he explains.
“For example, the use of greenery connects us with the healing influence of nature,” adds Erica. To enhance this, incorporate live plants and natural stones to tie the color scheme into organic patterns. This not only enhances visual appeal, but also fosters a deep sense of well-being, rooted in our innate connection to nature. ”
6. Use the 60-30-10 rule
(Image credit: Victoria Covell Interiors, photo Anna Stathaki)
The 60-30-10 color rule is a well-known color rule that Tash Bradley, interior design director and color psychologist at Lick, recommends when working with cool hues.
“A general rule is to break it down to the 60-30-10 rule when decorating with cool colors like blue, green, and purple,” says Tash. “So if the dominant color is a cool color, at 60%, I’ll add a warm color to the 30%. It could be a complementary color. I always look at the other side of the color wheel. If you choose blue, choose orange to get 30%.”
The remaining 10% is a slightly more vibrant shade used as an accent color, allowing you to add a colorful and unexpected moment to complete your scheme.
“Just inject some warm colors to balance it out,” adds Tash. “It can happen through the couch, the bed, the floor.”
Interior designer Katie Schroder, lead designer and founder of Atelier Interior Design, also follows this rule when working with cool colors. “When decorating with cool tones, you should be careful not to use only cool tones.” Rust and mustard are great colors to balance cool tones. If you want to incorporate neutrals, use ivory, camel, and brown tones to add warmth. ”
7. Consider the direction of the room
(Image courtesy of Studio McGee)
It is widely known that the direction a room is facing (north, south, east, west) affects the amount of sunlight and therefore the way paint colors appear within the space. This makes the paint selection process one that requires a lot of thought, but Tash Bradley’s rule of using cool colors with warm undertones in north-facing rooms (northern hemisphere) makes it easy to navigate. becomes easier.
“Think about the room you’re decorating,” Tash begins. “If you have a north-facing room and want to choose cool colors, choose cool colors with warm tones. Choose blues, greens, and purples with undertones of red, pink, or yellow. Or if you have a west-facing room, you don’t have to worry about bass.
8. Create a tonal color scheme
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
Finally, designers recommend adopting a tone-on-tone color scheme when using cool colors.
“Cool colors don’t have to be monochrome. Layering different shades of cool shades within the same color family is also a modern approach,” adds Karolina Wierzbicka. “For example, mixing light and dark blues or playing with different tones of gray can create a sophisticated yet dynamic space. These subtle changes can make your design more visually appealing. It will be.”
“Consider layering different shades of the same cool color family,” agrees designer Erica McClain. “Pairing pale blue walls with deeper blue or teal furniture creates a gradient that adds dimension and intrigue.”
These cool color rules ensure that the scheme is balanced and comfortable, decisively avoiding feeling cold. Of course, some rules work better in certain rooms, so you need to think about the specific space you’re working in. Whichever rule works for you, expect cool color trends to become even more popular in 2025.
