It can be overwhelming to decide colors for an interior design project. Anyone who has been to a paint store or home improvement retailer can attest to the seemingly endless variety of colors to choose from.

 

There is, however, a way to simplify the decision: create a monochromatic color scheme for your room. It's extremely simple with certainty that it will add a touch of elegance to your space.

When you go for a monochromatic color palette to decorate, all the elements in a room—from the floor to the furniture, wall color, artwork, etc.—use the same color. The dominant or base color can have a wide range of tones, from a rug in the deepest shade to furniture in lighter hues. Still the common component found in a monochromatic space is the same color undertone.

A monochromatic color scheme is essentially one where any single hue serves as the foundation and all other colors in the room are variations of that hue. For instance, it is popular to use white accessories or white trim in a space designed with a monochromatic scheme. 

For inspiration, check out: 18 Homes With Monochromatic Color Schemes.

Talk to JarvisInteriors today to help you discover which monochromatic scheme would best match your interior space!

 

How to begin creating a monochromatic look?

Choose a base color first. It may be the main color on the walls and the color that ties together the décor plan of the room. The next step is to choose between darker and lighter shades of that color. These variants can be used on trim, on accent walls, in room accents, and accessories. At paint shops, they would often offer color samples that show you a variety of color variations built around various base colors. 

Most experts advise selecting at least two options based on the base color—one lighter and one darker. You must decide how and where each color variant will be used in the overall design—as is true of any color scheme. Make sure your colors are sufficiently unique to be able to provide some contrast. Your room's design may feel muddy and unclear if the colors are too close together.

Where to begin when creating a monochromatic color scheme?

Your floor is a perfect place to start when creating a monochromatic design in your home. You can begin layering up your color scheme on your walls, fabrics, and furniture by incorporating the color you pulled from your floor—whether you have a wood floor, a carpet, or a favorite rug. To create and layer your design, look for objects and elements in the same color family. Your monochromatic look will start to layer if you choose items with the same shade and undertone.

What advantages does a monochromatic scheme offer?

The numerous virtues of monochromatic color schemes make them worth trying in your home's interior design. Here are the advantages of using monochrome in your space:

- As there are no concerns about color clashes, design work is made simpler.

- A single color instantly gives a room a feeling of harmony and simplicity.

- It provides a minimalist aesthetic that makes the décor objects in a room take center stage. A monochromatic color scheme, for example, will make priceless antiques stand out in a room.

- It can make a strong impression, especially when the base color is quite unique or intense.

- Contrasting elements in a room can easily be noticed against monochromatic backgrounds.

See more inspiring photos for a stunning monochromatic space in this gallery:

20 Rooms That Make a Strong Case for Monochromatic Color Schemes

Read also: Monochromatic Colour Harmonies in Interior Design

 

Why should you go for a monochromatic scheme?

It may seem dull to decorate with just a single hue or undertone, but the results can be breathtaking. When using a monochromatic color palette in designing a room, you set the stage for the architectural features, organic components, distinct textures, and faint touches of color to stand out and take center stage.

With monochromatic color schemes, you can also enjoy the convenience and luxury of changing your décor anytime you wish. When you paint your walls in neutral colors, and choose furniture items in the same shade, you're creating a base onto which you can layer bright textiles and fashionable accessories that are easier, and less expensive, to change out when the seasons (or when your tastes) change.

Here are more reasons to give monochrome a try:

1. Not just neutrals

When designing with a monochromatic style, you're not limited to just whites and neutrals. Shades of the same color can be used to layer. Bolder colors like violets, greens, and blues can be used to create layers of the same hue in a room. For instance, you can use the same shade of yellow for your wall, glass centerpiece, lighting fixture, and upholstery fabric to create a gorgeously layered monochromatic design in your dining room.

 

2. Color layering

While it is common to use the same hue and undertone in monochromatic styles, you can change the tones and even contrast with brighter colors as you develop your design. For instance, a room's walls, flooring, furnishings, and paint colors have a warm gray undertone. Hence, to give contrast, the blues you can use in accessories, art pieces, and table are blues with a gray undertone as well.

If unsure about what complementary colors to use in your space, try to determine or draw out the color of your wall to find shades of the same undertone—even if the color contrasts. By staying within the same undertone, you're creating an interior environment where your colors blend beautifully and seamlessly.

 

3. Breaking the rules by adding contrasts

If the rules were strictly followed, every shade would have to fit into the monochromatic palette. However, a lot of designers enjoy breaking the guidelines—tastefully.

In some cases, an accent color that breaks sharply from the base hue can draw attention to how effectively the overall design is implemented. The use of a single contrasting color works perfectly well, especially in white or black monochromatic backdrops. However, be sure to use additional color sparingly and with intention.

As you add your final touches to a monochromatic space, it's easy to bring in dramatic contrasting patterns, textures, and organic components. Bold or contrasting finishing touches will add balance and introduce stunning statement décor pieces to monochromatic spaces.

So, even if you're not a pro, layering different colors and shades with a common hue not only creates an elegant look but is also easy to pull off.

For an expert advice on your home's upgrade to monochromatic scheme, call JarvisInteriors today.

And here are more interior decorating tips from JarvisInteriors: Elevate Your Interior Spaces with Ultramarine Blue.

 

 

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CONTENT Credits

Monochromatic Looks That Work

What Is a Monochromatic Color Scheme?

PHOTO Credits

20 Rooms That Make a Strong Case for Monochromatic Color Schemes

Monochromatic Interior Design: 8 Rooms That Nail It