When it comes to decorating your home for winter, choosing the right color palette can make all the difference in creating a cozy and inviting space. The colors you use for your home in the colder months should evoke a sense of warmth and comfort to offset the chill outside. Here is an overview of the most popular winter color schemes for interiors and how to use them effectively.
What are winter colors?
Winter colors are generally deeper, richer shades that remind us of the season. This includes:
- Warm neutrals like beige, camel, taupe
- Earthy hues like brown, tan, mocha
- Jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, ruby
- Darker shades of purple, blue, green
- Pure white
The winter color palette is all about adding warmth and coziness to your home during the colder months. Neutrals provide a soothing backdrop while rich jewel tones add drama and sophistication. Pure white also feels crisp and fresh against the darker shades.
Why use winter colors in your home?
Here are some of the benefits of using winter colors for your interior decor:
- They make spaces feel warm, cozy and inviting
- Jewel tones add drama and sophistication
- Darker colors recede, making rooms feel smaller and more intimate
- Whites paired with neutrals create a clean and crisp look
- They remind you of the outdoors – snow, pine trees, etc.
Winter colors bring the essence of the season inside your home. They make being indoors feel just as relaxing as a ski lodge or a cabin in the woods. Choosing colors that reflect the natural palette outside creates harmony in your interior decor.
Popular winter color schemes
Some of the most popular and effective winter color palettes include:
Warm neutrals
Sticking to neutral shades like beige, camel, taupe, gray and white creates a soothing, minimalist look perfect for winter. You can accessorize with pops of crimson or sapphire to add visual interest.
Jewel tones
Combining rich jewel tones like emerald, ruby and sapphire adds dramatic flair. Keep the rest of the space simple to let the colors pop.
Monochromatic
Choose one jewel tone like navy blue and use it everywhere – walls, furniture, accessories. Add in white and natural wood accents for contrast.
Bright white
Crisp white paired with bare wood creates a cozy cabin feel. Add a few touches of green or red to bring in color.
Earthy hues
Shades of brown, tan and mocha paired with terracotta and sage green give a southwestern vibe perfect for winter.
Purple palette
Regal purple can instantly warm up any winter space. Compliment it with grays, silvers and cool blues.
How to incorporate winter colors
Here are some tips for bringing winter colors into your home decor:
- Repaint walls in a rich neutral or jewel tone
- Bring in throw pillows, blankets and area rugs in wintry hues
- Choose a warm-colored sofa or armchair as a statement piece
- Use winter colors for your dining room – dark walls, jewel toned rug, etc.
- Display winter flowers like amaryllis, poinsettias, magnolia
- Replace summer candleholders with wintry metals like pewter, silver and mercury glass
- Swap light summer linens and table runners for heavier fabrics in winter shades
- Incorporate natural elements like wood, pinecones, bare branches
Don’t be afraid to use winter colors liberally throughout your home. The more you incorporate them, the cozier and more inviting your space will feel.
Best rooms for winter colors
Certain rooms in your home are perfect for showcasing winter colors. Some of the best include:
Living room
As the heart of your home in winter, the living room should radiate coziness. Paint the walls a rich neutral or deep jewel tone, and add plush textiles on the furniture and windows. Use a warm area rug.
Dining room
Ground the dining room with a winter-hued area rug or table runner. Bring in jewel tones through your dinnerware and glassware. Use a dark tone on the walls.
Bedroom
Your bedroom should feel like a relaxing retreat all winter. Opt for a moody color scheme of plums, blues or grays. Add texture with flannel sheets and a cozy throw.
Home office
Stimulate your creativity and focus with emerald or sapphire walls. Accent with neutral furniture and warm wood tones.
Entryway
Make a great first impression with a front door in a rich winter hue like berry, plum or navy. Accent with natural baskets and wood storage.
Tips for choosing winter interior colors
Here are some useful tips for selecting the perfect winter color scheme:
- Choose colors that evoke the outdoors – white, evergreen, cardinal red
- Stick to a max of 3 colors in one space for visual harmony
- Pair warm and cool tones together – plum walls with silver accents
- Use lighter and brighter colors in north facing rooms
- Employ deeper, moodier colors in south facing rooms
- Select shades that complement your existing furniture and decor
- Refer to nature – winter berry, pinecone, snowflake colors
- Pick relaxing, soothing neutral shades for bedrooms
- Use jewel tones to make a dramatic statement
Most importantly, choose colors that you find beautiful and uplifting. Decorating should always make you happy!
Conclusion
Winterizing your home with seasonal colors is an easy way to create a cozy, inviting space perfect for the colder months. Stick to a palette of warm neutrals, rich jewel tones, earthy hues and vibrant whites. Use these colors liberally in your living spaces, bedrooms and entryways. Pair colors together thoughtfully and incorporate natural textures and materials. With the right wintry color scheme, you can make your home a beautiful retreat all season long.
| Winter Color | Rooms to Use | Paint Colors | Textiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm neutrals | Bedrooms, living rooms | Beige, taupe, camel | Chenille throws, velvet pillows |
| Jewel tones | Dining room, entryway | Emerald, sapphire | Quilted table runners, velvet curtains |
| Earthy hues | Living room, home office | Brown, tan, mocha | Wool blankets, leather ottomans |
| Crisp white | Kitchen, bathroom | Snowy white | Cable knit throws, linen curtains |
This table summarizes some of the most popular winter interior color schemes, and how to use them effectively in different rooms of your home.
