How to Choose the Best Colour Combinations for Walls and Interiors
Written by SAKL Interiors Ltd – Premium ADesign Rooted in Taunton.
Colour is more than decoration it’s atmosphere, memory, and emotion. At SAKL Interiors, we believe that choosing the right palette is not about following trends, but about curating a feeling. Here are our guiding principles for selecting colour combinations that elevate your space and reflect your story.
1. Start with Emotion, not a Paint Chart
Ask yourself: how do you want to feel in this room? Calm, inspired, cocooned, energised? Let emotion lead. Soft neutrals soothe, deep tones ground, and warm hues invite. The right colour combination begins with the right intention.
2. Let Light Be Your Guide
Natural light changes everything. North-facing rooms in the UK often benefit from warmer undertones, while south-facing spaces can embrace cooler hues. Observe how light moves through your space before committing to a palette.
3. Balance Contrast with Continuity
A modern interior thrives on contrast light and dark, matte and gloss, warm and cool but it also needs flow. Use tonal variations of a single hue across walls, cabinetry, and textiles to create cohesion without monotony.
4. Use Neutrals as Anchors, Not Afterthoughts
Neutrals are not the absence of colour they are the canvas. Choose warm greys, chalky whites, or muted taupe’s that complement your accent tones. At SAKL, we often rename these shades to reflect their emotional role: “Morning Fog,” “Pressed Linen,” “Stone Pause.”
5. Draw from Nature, Not Just Pinterest
The most timeless palettes are rooted in the natural world. Think moss green with clay pink, or storm blue with driftwood beige. These combinations feel grounded because they already exist in harmony.
6. Test in Layers, Not Swatches
Paint swatches on a wall can mislead. Instead, test large samples alongside flooring, cabinetry, and soft furnishings. Colour is relational it changes depending on what surrounds it.
7. Don’t Forget the Fifth Wall
Ceilings are often overlooked. A soft tint overhead can warm a space, lower a tall room, or add unexpected depth. Consider a whisper of blush, a misty grey, or even a matte olive for a cocooning effect.
8. Name Your Palette with Intention
At SAKL, we believe in naming palettes poetically. It helps clients connect emotionally and remember the story behind the scheme. “Winter Orchard,” “Salted Clay,” or “Stillness & Smoke” say more than “grey and beige.”