There are too many options for developing a color palette for your home. Seriously. Do you go with the light gray as a foundation, with darker gray accents for drama and pops of color to give it life? All white for a gallery feel? Maybe you're supposed to use Pantone's color of the year every 12 months... even if you're not a huge fan of that plummy-brown Marsala.
And once you've decided on the main color, how do you choose the accent colors? Use a color wheel and pick opposites? Just choose what you like, even if it breaks the "rules," whatever they are?
It's all very confusing.
Going with a monochromatic palette can help. Not only is it easy to pull off, it also creates a relaxed, streamlined feel.
"Research by The University of Texas found that websites with a monochromatic background palette were easiest for others to read. They attribute these findings to the fact that the brain has less to process and therefore is able to better concentrate on the website's content," said Freshome. "You can take this same principle and use a single color palette to showcase your space's best features. Sticking to one color palette helps create a soothing and restful environment."
Those who love being able to use splashes of bold color throughout their home may think sticking to a simple color palette will create a blah space, but "Monochromatic palettes are far from boring. They're elegant, bold, textured, said BuildDirect.
How to pull it off
"Monochromatic color starts with a single hue—anything from red to beige to purple—and the design is created with a palette using derivatives of that color," said design shack. "Creating a monochromatic color palette starts with picking a base color. Then start creating lighter and dark variants of the color as secondary options. Starting with a base color, you'll likely need a minimum of two other options—a darker version of the color and a lighter version."
House Beautiful
Make pattern and texture the star
"Usually when we discuss pattern and texture, it tends to take more of a sidekick role. However, when dealing with monochromatic schemes, those bits of pattern can be the star," said Freshome. "Since the shades in your interior will tend to blend together, texture and pattern are the easiest—and often one of the cheapest—ways to add visual interest. In fact, while too many patterns are usually looked upon with trepidation, this occasion in which you can let your mixing-and-matching skills run wild."
Decoist
Make a bold statement
Using a single color scheme allows you to be as bashful or as brash, as you want to be. "Monochromatic also doesn't have to mean ‘timid,'" said BuildDirect. "In fact, there are plenty of monochromatic palettes that make a bold statement through your home decor."
Create contrast
"The top consideration in monotone color palettes is contrast," said design shack. "The biggest dilemma that designers face in monochrome color projects is that nothing stands out in the design or everything fades into a singular background. You can eliminate this feeling with sharp contrast."
White and cream make it serene
If bold and bright isn't for you, go the other way. Complementary shades of white and cream create a relaxed space that allows room for textures and patterns to play.
Design a restful bedroom
If monochromatic design creates serene spaces, bedrooms are the ideal places to use them. "Bedrooms are, of course, an excellent option, as are those too-often-stressful home offices," said Freshome.
Decoist
Use your landscape as a guide
Dwell
Sometimes, the best inspiration for a monochromatic design palette comes right from your environment. Live on the beach? Start with shades of blue or sandy beige. Have a lush hillside that comes right down into your kitchen? It's easy being green.
"The surrounding, rolling landscape of this Malibu home influenced designer Bruce Bolander's use of green on the cabinets and appliances in this kitchen," said Dwell.
