Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

6 unique wall color combinations you need to try

Darcey Gohring
By

Looking for a way to make your space unique? Is your design feeling a bit, well, dull? Have you ever considered trying a new wall color combo? Paint is one of the easiest ways to makeover a space, and by using two colors, your room will have an original design that is anything but boring. Here, we share our ideas for color combinations that will transform your space from standard to sensational.

room-with-ombre-paint
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Color schemes we love

Before you begin, consider which technique will suit your style best. There are several ways to bring two-toned walls into a space, so make sure you have the lingo down when doing research and planning out your paint job.

Related Videos
  • Ombre is when one color slowly fades into another and works well in a modern or boho aesthetic.
  • Wainscoting is a classic look and can be applied to the wall’s lower half. Simply paint the wainscoting in one color and the wall above in another.
  • Graphic designs allow you to be creative and tailor a room to your individual taste. These can be done using stencils or painters’ tape on a single feature wall or throughout a space.

Once you have decided on your preferred painting technique, it is time to choose your colors. Perhaps the biggest influence on how a room feels is the hues you use. What do you want it to say? Are you looking to create a soothing space or one that energizes? Generally speaking, colors on the warm side of the color wheel— red, orange, and yellow—work well in social spaces because they evoke a cozy, welcoming energy. Cool colors—blue, green, gray, and purple—bring feelings of clarity and serenity. Mixing warm and cool colors is one way to bring interest to your design; just be sure there is a balance between the two. These are some of our favorite combinations.

Related

Pink and yellow

This combo is ideal when you are looking to make a room fresh and lively. Think of summer afternoons filled with lemonade and watermelon, and you get the idea. We especially love pink and yellow bedrooms for a space that feels saturated in springtime hues. You can use soft shades of these colors in an ombre application to create a sunset effect. Take your inspiration from a pink-hued evening sky.

Red and cream

Red is a strong color, but when paired with white, it can look cold. A cream brings out the warmth in this fiery hue. Red is a social shade that works well in common spaces where you entertain, such as living and dining rooms.

Yellow and indigo

Some color couplings are classic for a reason—because they just make sense. What is it about blue and yellow? Maybe it invokes the way we feel around the sun and the sea? Use this combo when you want a space to feel peaceful and fresh at the same time. For a contemporary look, try them in a graphic wall design, or for a more traditional aesthetic, paint wainscoting an indigo and walls a soft yellow.

Blue and white

When you want to create a calm feeling, blue and white are a winning combination. An ombre effect with these colors echoes the sky or a tranquil ocean. Done in wainscoting or a graphic detail, the contrast is sharp and strong. Either way, these colors are said to evoke clarity and focus, and they work especially well in bathrooms, offices, and bedrooms.

Gray and white

Are you looking for a serene space that feels like a restful retreat? When considering wall color combinations for bedrooms, gray and white are a go-to pairing for good reason. Combining these will elicit an ethereal vibe and give any room a neutral base that offers flexibility to play with small touches of color in accents and accessories.

man and woman painting a room

Shades of one color

Who says your wall needs to be two drastically different colors? Try using a deep shade of one color and using an ombre technique to have it slowly fade into a lighter shade. This not only gives you a one-of-a-kind wall, but it also makes the design feel grounded and imparts an airiness to the upper portion of the space.

Two-tone color combinations are a fun way to make your room stand out and bring more personality to the design. Whether you are looking to create a private sanctuary or an interesting Zoom background, paint can take any space from just okay to outstanding in a short amount of time.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Blinds vs. curtains: Which should you choose?
A beginner's guide to deciding between curtains and blinds
Woman with Venetian blinds

When moving into a new home or redecorating a room, one step that can be difficult is choosing between installing curtains or blinds. Before you finalize a purchase of either, consider what look you’re trying to achieve.

Factors such as cost, ease of installation, maintenance, lighting options, and energy efficiency may sway your decision when it comes to decorating your home. This research takes time and patience, but there's good news! We’ve consolidated all relevant information into a comprehensive blinds vs. curtains guide for your convenience. Here are the pros and cons you need to know when searching for window coverings that will best suit your needs.

Read more
What colors go with gray? How to make a neutral hue pop in your home
How to make gray walls work for your home decor
Modern living room with gray walls and yellow furniture

Neutral colors like gray and taupe are always popular options for your home's interior design. Both are versatile shades that can go with a plethora of other hues, which means you can easily change up the look of your decor with gray walls and a rotating rainbow of accessories like colorful throw pillows. With all the different shades of gray paint available, from matte to glossy, warm to cool, and brownish to blueish, it's certainly possible to find the one that's perfect for you and your home.

Of course, you can always have too much of a good thing. While gray can be a sophisticated and elegant shade, too much gray can wash out a room or make it feel dull and dingy or cold and unwelcoming. Think of gray as the backdrop on a canvas that lets your color palette shine, and you can't go wrong. So, it’s important to incorporate other colors into the decor, whether it be with pieces of furniture, art, or throw blankets -- but what colors go with gray? If you're looking for the best options to brighten up your current decor, keep reading to find out how to accent this elegant tone.

Read more
The best green paint colors for a soothing, sophisticated home
Recommendations for warm and cool green tones to add to your space
Green wall color with plant nearby

Green is a color we’re seeing everywhere in home design this year. Named Color of the Year for 2022 by many of the most prominent names in the paint industry, green is a trendy hue that you can expect to see in many interior designs. Green has an incredible way of adding a sense of vibrance and authenticity to your space. So, if you’re a homeowner in need of a soothing and sophisticated shade, then green might be just what you’ve been looking for.

This year's "it" color can help you invite a renewed sense of vitality and energy to a space, making it perfect for homeowners looking to change up their existing palette. While green is trending in home design as this year's "it" color, it's safe to assume that this wonderful shade will likely add a timeless and natural look to any space. So, if you're eager to incorporate green into your design scheme, here are some of the best green paint colors to inspire your next renovation.

Read more