Time to master game-changing colour theories

To help you understand how colour theories work, Johanna Constantinou, Trends Expert at Tapi Carpets & Floors, has shared tips and tricks to create the perfect interior design colour palette in 2025.  

Colour is one of the most powerful tools in interior design, capable of shaping moods, defining spaces, and creating harmony within a home. With 2,900 average monthly searches online for ‘colour palette’, many seek inspiration to understand the impact colour can make. 

At its core, colour theory involves the strategic use of the colour wheel, colour harmonies, and psychological associations to encourage specific emotions and atmospheres. From the warmth of monochromatic tones to the bold contrasts of complementary hues, people need to balance elements such as saturation, temperature, and proportion must be balanced to achieve a visually engaging space. 

The 60-30-10 colour rule 

“60-30-10 is a timeless guideline in interior design that helps achieve a balanced colour scheme in any room. By allowing one colour to dominate, the design maintains cohesion. This versatile rule suggests dividing a room’s colour palette into three proportions: 60% for the dominant colour, 30% for the secondary colour, and 10% for the accent colour,” explains Johanna. 

The dominant colour should cover the largest portion of the space – usually around 60%. “The 60% colour serves as the foundation of the room and sets the overall atmosphere. It's often used on walls, large furniture pieces, or flooring. This colour should align with the overall mood and purpose of the room, whether it’s warm and welcoming or cool and serene,” says Johanna. 

A soft neutral like light beige or a pale grey on the walls, for example, creates a calming backdrop, ensuring the room feels spacious. The secondary colour makes up about 30% of the space and adds depth and contrast to the dominant colour. For example, a rich navy blue or a warm earthy tone, such as rust, could be used for the sofa or curtains, providing contrast to soft, neutral walls. 

Johanna adds: “The secondary shade complements the dominant hue but is usually a bit more striking, offering variety without overwhelming the room. It is often applied to larger pieces of furniture, window treatments, or accent walls.” 

The accent colour makes up the remaining 10% of the space and should be used sparingly to add vibrancy, interest, and focal points. For example, a vibrant mustard yellow or deep emerald green, used in accessories such as cushions, adds excitement and draws attention to specific areas. 

“The accent colour can be an unexpected pop of colour that draws attention to key features like artwork or throw pillows. They can be bold or vibrant, offering an opportunity to experiment without overpowering the room,” says Johanna. 

 The colour wheel 

The colour wheel is used to understand relationships between different colours. It consists of primary colours (red, yellow, blue), secondary colours (green, orange, purple), and tertiary colours (red-orange or yellow-green).  

Complementary colours are those that sit opposite each other on the wheel, creating high contrast and vibrancy, and making them ideal for dynamic areas such as living rooms or creative spaces. Analogous colours are those that sit next to each other on the wheel. They are harmonious and create serene, cohesive environments, ideal for bedrooms or relaxing areas. 

“Monochromatic colours are variations of a single colour, using tints, tones, and shades, which create a soothing, minimalist aesthetic that works well in spaces that need to convey calmness and simplicity, like bathrooms or modern living rooms”, adds Johanna. 

Balancing warm and cool colours 

The warm vs. cool colours rule is a key principle, helping people create spaces with specific moods and atmospheres.  

Johanna says: “Warm colours such as red, orange, and yellow, create a sense of energy, comfort, and warmth, making them ideal for lively, social spaces. Conversely, cool colours, such as blue, green, and purple, induce a calming, soothing effect, perfect for where relaxation or focus is essential. While a predominantly warm palette can make a space feel inviting, adding cool tones provides contrast and depth. Similarly, a primarily cool-toned room can benefit from warm accents to avoid feeling too sterile or cold.” 

www.tapi.co.uk