Lauren Phillips for Real Simple on color schemes for decorating.
SRB Signature Kitchens and Baths is a full-service, one-stop shopping design center. We have over 25+ years’ experience in this industry. We have general contractors on staff and all of our subcontractors are fully licensed and insured. Servicing Lunenburg, Fitchburg, Leominster, Westminster, Ashby, Ashburnham, Lancaster, Harvard, Ayer, Acton, Shirley, Townsend, Groton, Pepperell, Bolton.
Fun fact: Monochromatic doesn’t have to mean black and white.
Monochromatic color schemes can give a room a trendy, energized look. Focusing on a single-color family—because monochromatic doesn’t necessarily mean black and white, contrary to what Instagram may imply—with a range of shades and tints helps a space feel cohesive, especially if the monochromatism extends beyond paint colors to furnishings and décor.
Picking a monochromatic color palette means committing to a single color, sure, but true color aficionados won’t shy away from that challenge. Use these monochromatic color schemes as inspiration for creating a single-hued space that feels personalized—just be sure to try before you buy.
1 Color Palette: Moody Blues
Go bold and dramatic with deep shades of blue, which help establish a feeling of serenity. Pair two darker tones for a striking look or balance it out with pops of a lighter (but still cool) shade for a little more playfulness. In smaller spaces, use the darker colors sparingly, to keep the room from feeling too dark.
2 Color Palette: Forever Pink
Pink is for everyone—and this monochromatic color palette proves it. A bright, can’t-miss-it pop of a purple-toned pink serves as the focal point, with softer, more subtly pink shades filling in the rest of the space. Try the boldest color in small doses on throw pillows, an accent wall, or window frames and counter it with the near-white pinks on walls, the ceiling, and trim.
3 Color Palette: Sunny Yellows
Shades of yellow can help brighten spaces and even make their inhabitants happier. Balance the bright notes of a classic yellow with more subtle hues with yellow undertones on trim, the ceiling, or accent areas (think a fireplace mantle or built-ins) to keep it from feeling overwhelming. The monochrome look here is subtle, and just enough to give a space a cohesive feel.
4 Color Palette: All Black, All the Time
Monochromatic color palettes don’t have to be black and white—but they can be. Indulge in rich, vibrant black tones with this dramatic look, which can be easily mixed with gray and white furnishings for a truly monochromatic look or paired with pops of color for a more vibrant, modern feel.
5Color Palette: Shades of Gray
Gray is having a bit of a moment—Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2019 is a stylish greige, a combo of gray and beige—and the works-with-everything shade is proving itself to be an excellent paint color for living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and more. This color palette has four shades of gray that work together to create a monochromatic space that doesn’t feel boring or bland—thank the varying undertones for that.