Trending Color Palettes for Modern Interiors
the esd journal
Trending Color Palettes for Modern Interiors
Interior designers are discovering a new desire among clients: color! While not everyone is quite brave enough to coat the walls in fuchsia or sunset yellow, there is still a trend towards wall colors and patterns with more to offer than beige. We saw the millennial beige era and now we’re moving into a realm of depth. Achieving this does not mean banishing the hues of soft khaki and eggshell altogether. Rather, it’s artfully mixing those basic neutrals with accents, wallpapers, and décor to embrace trending color palettes in your modern interior.
Color Palettes That Inspire Us
Photo: Elaine Santos
When it comes to color trends, it’s not about the colors on their own. Instead, it’s about how they work with complementary hues to create cohesive interiors that inspire us. We love curating color palettes for our projects because each color elevates the other, creating romantic combinations that build up the space, enhance its natural features, and imbue the room with a specific ambience.
Cornflower Blue & Rose Gold
We saw this color combination at Maison Gerard and couldn’t resist including it in this list. We’ve utilized gold paint with a gloss finish before and would love to see rose gold, or even brass, colors used in the same way and then paired with soft cornflower blue. The blue is so welcoming and sweet, making a metallic more approachable and versatile.
Butter & Cream
These two were meant to be. If you want to stay more neutral, but integrate some brighter, bolder color, then the butter and cream combination is perfect for your home. Creamy, white walls with the depth of some darker undertones can easily be paired with the muted yellow of butter paints. An added bonus is that this foundational duo can then be paired with more spirited colors like orange and stronger yellows to continue to build the depth of the color palette.
Roses & Tangerines
The dusty, soft pink of rose tones often get stuck in the pastel color palette. Usually paired with eucalyptus blues and mossy greens, rose pink is sometimes better paired with vivid and effervescent tangerine orange. The tangerine lifts the delicacy of the rose which in turn grounds the louder orange. When we used this combination, we softened the tangerine even more by sourcing chairs with velvety upholstery in the color.
Photo: Richard Powers
Photo: Joshua McHugh
Trending Color Palettes for Modern Interiors
Trends may have their seasons, but when you find a color palette you love, it remains timeless. That’s what we love about some of these trending color palettes for modern interiors; each has its own characteristics that will remain relevant and irresistible for years to come.
Deep Hues. Create ambience with moody, deep hues. These colors have been on the rise in homes and commercial spaces where they add depth without layering too many colors and bring richness. Pair these darker colors with velvety upholstery, sleek metallics, and dark-stained wood furniture.
Tonal or Color Drenching. Tonal color palettes are the basis for color drenching. Utilizing the same color on walls, ceilings, and trim is incredibly impactful and definitely adds a wow-factor you’ll want to live in forever. It’s tactile, evocative, and atmospheric yet authentic in a strangely subtle way.
Teal. Teal is making a comeback. Both as a dominant color on walls and as an accent color, teal is on a revival track that we just can’t ignore. Teal is a strangely versatile color that can be found in very vibrant as well as moodier shades, all evoking a sense of calm, renewal, and sophistication.
Warm Neutral. Perhaps on the opposite end of the spectrum from teal is the warm neutral color palette. This is where nature takes control and dictates the emotional atmosphere through an artfully chosen combination of browns, ivories, deep greens, sandy tones, and natural materials. Pair this color palette with organic upholstery and textiles to deepen that warmth.
Photo: Haris Kenjar
Photo: Mike Van Tassell
Masterfully Styled Modern Interiors
Building colors into your modern interiors is an art. As an interior designer for clients across New York and New Jersey and beyond, I’ve helped homeowners identify the color palettes that speak to them. And then, I’ve worked with contractors and architects to bring visions to life through masterfully curated color palettes and furnishings.
To achieve the look you love and maximize the impact of a color palette you love, work with Elaine Santos Design.
Top Photo Credits:
Interior Designer: Elaine Santos
Architects: @barliswedlick
📷 @richardpowersphoto