As we outlined in our whole home color palette story, curating a cohesive color scheme for every room in your home is no easy feat. Forget the complicated task of carrying the same tones throughout each space without creating monotony — selecting the palette itself is a difficult (and very important) decision. From calming neutrals to balanced earth tones, chic black and white to energetic primary hues, the colors you use will set the mood for how a space will feel. It’s why the very first step in the Havenly interior design process is aligning on palette.

So, we’re taking color scheming 101 a step further with our 12 designer-loved color palettes for the home. Consider this a comprehensive shortcut to palette curation, inspired by real-life home projects and expert designer styling.

Ahead, Havenly designer Kelsey Fischer outlines the foolproof palettes to consider if you’re starting with a blank slate, completely revamping your look, or simply updating with a choice accent hue or two. Without further ado: the 12 designer-approved color palettes that never let us down.

1. Color Palette For Home: Warm Earth Tones

Rather than drawing from the cool end of mother nature’s spectrum, consider her warm side — rich cacao, sunset coral, earthy ochre, and shades of sandy beige lend a rich, inviting feel to any space.

2. Color Palette For Home: Historical Romance

Is it just us, or does this color palette almost look Bridgerton-inspired? Romantic, almost historical hues like soft gray, muted sage, pale blue, and golden orange feel whimsical in the best possible way — especially in an older home with original architecture (that exposed brick, though!).

3. Color Palette For Home: Laid-Back Blues

Blue is a time-honored designer favorite for a reason — it translates across coastal, classic, or farmhouse designs and lends a calming feel to any space. We love the soft, almost neutral blues in this palette — they’re gorgeous when paired with light oak and creamy white.

4. Color Palette For Home: Palm Springs Modern

This punchy, almost tropical aesthetic is Palm Springs-inspired perfection, down to the citrine orange, ocean blue, and palm tree green. We recommend pairing with a crisp white couch, lush greenery, and full-surround windows if at all possible.

5. Color Palette For Home: Sweet Pastels

For a truly relaxing guest bedroom or kids room, you can’t beat soft, sweet pastels. And while we love the foolproof pink and blue combo above, don’t sleep on pastel green, yellow, gray, and even dusty lavender! They’re timeless–for a reason.

6. Color Palette For Home: Rich Jewel Tones

A foolproof designer combo? A neutral base with jewel-toned pops of color, like canary yellow citrine, sapphire and aquamarine blue, rich ruby, and orange topaz. When in doubt, start with a gorgeous jewel-toned rug you love, and build the palette from there.

7. Color Palette For Home: Desert Chic

Warm neutrals like white and ivory set the stage for this look, while rusty earth tones like terra cotta, sienna, and cognac channel the California desert. Finish with high-contrast greenery (bonus points for a cactus or two!). 

8. Color Palette For Home: Forest-Inspired

Cool earth tones that borrow from a thick forest palette are a foolproof option. The deep olive green, moody black, earthy brown, and rich tan create a bold, yet balanced aesthetic that can handle graphic pattern and gold hardware.

9. Color Palette For Home: High-Contrast Neutrals

If you’re a true minimalist with a modern flair, you can’t beat this timeless color palette. High-contrast black and ivory lend a bold, graphic edge, while muted gray and warm tan round out the look and add some much-needed softness.

10. Color Palette For Home: Airy Neutrals

We refer to this look as warm minimalism, and it’s every bit the layered, texture-rich aesthetic the name recalls. Airy neutrals like taupe, ivory, white, beige, and soft sage create a cozy, storied atmosphere that feels like a warm huge.

11. Color Palette For Home: Coastal Neutrals

While Palm Springs modern is bright and playful take on the coastal mood, this palette borrows from the more traditional and laid-back Cali Cool look that’s everywhere. The barely-there blues, grays, sands and whites channel the effortless style of life on the Pacific coast.

12. Color Palette For Home: Eclectic Boho

Layered teals, blues, blacks, and a well-placed pop of fuchsia feels quintessential bohemian, especially with a hint of gold hardware. We love this bold, complementary aesthetic when looking to add personality and color to a neutral backdrop.

Want expert advice on your actual space, straight from an interior designer? Start with our style quiz to work with a design pro one-on-one.