Decorating
Decorating 101: Keep it Simple With Tone-on-Tone Colour
Layer shades of the same hue for a failsafe approach to interior styling
It’s a simple technique interior designers often use to give a room a sense of cohesion – stick to one colour but vary the tone and texture. While some people feel confident combining brights and prints or adding an accent shade, others find the layering of wall colour, accessories, soft furnishings and other belongings more than a little daunting. If you’re a fan of fuss-free design, take a shortcut to style with these tips for decorating with tonal shades.
Go over to the dark side
If you prefer your interiors with a moodier hue, try combining rich blue-greys. This corner sofa is positively begging to be lounged upon in an elegant living space that will work just as well after dark, when shady grey colours appear luxe and rich. Darker-toned woodwork and coordinating linen curtains enhance the monochrome layered look.
If you prefer your interiors with a moodier hue, try combining rich blue-greys. This corner sofa is positively begging to be lounged upon in an elegant living space that will work just as well after dark, when shady grey colours appear luxe and rich. Darker-toned woodwork and coordinating linen curtains enhance the monochrome layered look.
Bring in light with white
For those longing to brighten up their kitchen, white makes for a classic, cool look – but just one type of white could look austere. This cooking space has light-bouncing glossy cabinets combined with pale stone benchtops for a sleek look that feels as fresh as a daisy. Recessed cabinet handles maintain the clean lines, while pale engineered oak flooring adds warmth.
For a hint of colour, the dove-grey window frames and patterned blind take their lead from the veining on the marble backsplash.
For those longing to brighten up their kitchen, white makes for a classic, cool look – but just one type of white could look austere. This cooking space has light-bouncing glossy cabinets combined with pale stone benchtops for a sleek look that feels as fresh as a daisy. Recessed cabinet handles maintain the clean lines, while pale engineered oak flooring adds warmth.
For a hint of colour, the dove-grey window frames and patterned blind take their lead from the veining on the marble backsplash.
Add shine with sherbet shades
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but if lemon yellow is your happy colour, why not go to town with it? Take this sunshine shade from floor to ceiling, making sure you inject lots of touchable fabrics, a few patterns and some paler tones to break up the lines.
In this bright bedroom, white bedding and a plain quilt dial down the sherbet shades (just a little).
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but if lemon yellow is your happy colour, why not go to town with it? Take this sunshine shade from floor to ceiling, making sure you inject lots of touchable fabrics, a few patterns and some paler tones to break up the lines.
In this bright bedroom, white bedding and a plain quilt dial down the sherbet shades (just a little).
Add depth and detail
When sticking to a palette of similar colours – here, barely-there greys and whites – it’s important to add interesting textures and finishes. This handsome hallway features painted panelling in a slightly deeper hue than the one used on the upper part of the walls.
An eggshell finish is more washable than emulsion while having only a very soft sheen, making it a practical choice for this sort of hand-height woodwork.
When sticking to a palette of similar colours – here, barely-there greys and whites – it’s important to add interesting textures and finishes. This handsome hallway features painted panelling in a slightly deeper hue than the one used on the upper part of the walls.
An eggshell finish is more washable than emulsion while having only a very soft sheen, making it a practical choice for this sort of hand-height woodwork.
Bring back brown
Add rustic appeal to a simple scheme with underrated but oh-so-sumptuous shades of brown and taupe. In this French cottage, sludgy colours are used to stunning effect. Having the lampshade and bedspread match is key to the composition, meaning the tones of the headboard and pillows appear intentionally different.
Add rustic appeal to a simple scheme with underrated but oh-so-sumptuous shades of brown and taupe. In this French cottage, sludgy colours are used to stunning effect. Having the lampshade and bedspread match is key to the composition, meaning the tones of the headboard and pillows appear intentionally different.
Layer luxe blues
One-colour style needn’t mean sticking to a muted scheme. This lively living room has a Moroccan vibe, thanks to a host of fabulous fabrics. Various shades of blue linen – both patterned and plain – add warmth to the azure walls and pale blue rug. The timber floor and wooden sofa base inject an organic element.
One-colour style needn’t mean sticking to a muted scheme. This lively living room has a Moroccan vibe, thanks to a host of fabulous fabrics. Various shades of blue linen – both patterned and plain – add warmth to the azure walls and pale blue rug. The timber floor and wooden sofa base inject an organic element.
Soften with a chalky paint and timber
There are few things more pleasing (in interiors, anyway) than a pristine pale bathroom. It’s classic but contemporary, sophisticated but simple. Tongue-and-groove panelling is used here instead of tiles, meshing with the laidback look of the floorboards.
To soften the effect and avoid sterility in an all-white space like this one, choose a quality paint with a matte, chalky finish for a bathroom design that’s easy, chic and always in fashion.
There are few things more pleasing (in interiors, anyway) than a pristine pale bathroom. It’s classic but contemporary, sophisticated but simple. Tongue-and-groove panelling is used here instead of tiles, meshing with the laidback look of the floorboards.
To soften the effect and avoid sterility in an all-white space like this one, choose a quality paint with a matte, chalky finish for a bathroom design that’s easy, chic and always in fashion.
Create a soothing sanctuary
At the other end of the spectrum, an all-black bathroom with masses of tiling can also stake a claim to fuss-free design. This style works particularly well in two settings: either a room with lots of natural light, as here, or one with none.
It might seem counterintuitive to choose dark colours for a windowless bathroom, but it’s often more effective than picking pale shades that look lacklustre without natural light. Instead, embrace the dark and create a spa-like cocoon using tactile materials.
At the other end of the spectrum, an all-black bathroom with masses of tiling can also stake a claim to fuss-free design. This style works particularly well in two settings: either a room with lots of natural light, as here, or one with none.
It might seem counterintuitive to choose dark colours for a windowless bathroom, but it’s often more effective than picking pale shades that look lacklustre without natural light. Instead, embrace the dark and create a spa-like cocoon using tactile materials.
Think pink
A pink-heavy room might sound like a child’s Barbie-themed dream, but change the tone from bright to dusty, and pink suddenly makes an elegant entrance. Keep at least one area plain, as was done with the floor here; a pale grey rug forms the background for this bold suite and patterned wallpaper. Ramp up the rosy saturation even further with matching woodwork in a more muted tone.
YOUR SAY
Show us your tone-on-tone room by posting a photo in the Comments.
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A pink-heavy room might sound like a child’s Barbie-themed dream, but change the tone from bright to dusty, and pink suddenly makes an elegant entrance. Keep at least one area plain, as was done with the floor here; a pale grey rug forms the background for this bold suite and patterned wallpaper. Ramp up the rosy saturation even further with matching woodwork in a more muted tone.
YOUR SAY
Show us your tone-on-tone room by posting a photo in the Comments.
MORE
5 Fool-Proof Steps to a Spot On Colour Scheme
Interior Designers Share the Best Colours to Paint Your Bedroom Walls
How to Stop Procrastinating on Paint Colours
Beige gets a bad rap for being boring, but a warm off-white is the ultimate base neutral for schemes where brilliant white feels too stark. With the same soft stone colour used for walls, artwork, rug, sofa and chairs, this living room design feels effortlessly stylish. The coloured pillows and pouf provide a subtle accent against a backdrop of beautiful beige.