Color plays a vital role in setting the mood and tone of a room. In fact, no matter what decor style you prefer, choosing the right color can help create a sense of luxury.
But what are the most gorgeous room color ideas? We spoke to interior designers to get their suggestions and compiled the five most popular ideas below.
Beyond the jewel tones we immediately associate with elegance, designers say that more subtle, yet neutral, colors can be just as effective in creating a luxurious feel throughout the home.
Gorgeous color ideas
Read on to find out how designers incorporate these timeless colors into their interior projects to create luxurious looks that go beyond the latest trends.
1. Jewel Tones
(Images courtesy of Nadia Watts Interior Design; Photography by Nickolas Sargent)
If you're into maximalist décor, decorating with jewel tones is an effective way to create a sense of grandeur and luxury. Interior designer Nadia Watts demonstrates this in this living space that celebrates jewel tones in their most vibrant form.
“Saturated jewel tones evoke feelings of elegance and luxury,” explains Nadia. “Emerald green conveys prosperity and growth, navy blue conveys sophistication and polish, and ruby red conveys warmth and sophistication. And of course, purple has long been associated with royalty and luxury.”
As a starting point for incorporating jewel tones into her interior designs, Nadia often uses fabrics that influence the color palette of the rest of the room.
“I love designing with rich colors,” Nadia continues. “I start with fabrics to create the perfect combination of colors and textures to create a sense of grandeur. Natural wood accents (the older the better) add a touch of glamour, while mixed metals add a touch of 'jewelry' to complete the look.”
2. Green
(Image credit: Matthew Williamson, photography by Damien Russell)
“Green tones provide a great foundation for a luxury scheme,” says interior designer Matthew Williamson.
As seen in this maximalist bedroom, decorating with greenery is a timeless color choice that's calming, and certain shades of green can also give off a luxurious feel. “Imagine rich emerald, lush moss green, and hints of jade blending seamlessly together,” suggests Matthew.
While green works well as a main color in a room, designers recommend incorporating complementary colors to give the room depth and added interest.
“To enhance this palette, incorporate complementary colors like lavish gold and mustard accents. Think shimmering gold metallic and warm mustard yellow accents that create a harmonious and luxurious feel. This combination evokes grandeur and elegance, making it perfect for creating a truly opulent space.”
3. Neutrals
(Images by Hanna Li Interiors/Photography by Jess Isaac/Styling by Kate Flynn)
If your interior design style leans more towards minimalism, decorating with neutrals, especially warm neutrals, can be effective in creating a luxurious atmosphere. The quiet luxury trend embodies this approach, favoring muted hues for sophisticated, luxurious décor.
“Warm neutral color combinations are always a surefire choice for luxury interiors,” says designer Brandon Lange, creative director of BZ Interiors. “It's crucial that the tones harmonize and don't clash, and combining different textures and hues can create a luxurious effect.”
Warm, neutral colors are incredibly versatile and will work well in many rooms throughout the home, especially ones that you want to create a serene atmosphere. Interior designer Hanna Li, co-founder of Hanna Li Interiors, designed this neutral dining room with warm, white walls that play off the simplicity of luxurious color.
“We decorated the space with vintage leather chairs, deadstock fabrics for the window treatments and natural materials from nature for the large rug and ceramic vases,” says Hannah. “By leaving the walls bare of art, we eliminated distractions to encourage conversation and intimacy around the dining table. Our vision of luxury goes beyond opulence to focus on authenticity and mindfulness in interiors.”
4. Chocolate Brown
(Image courtesy of Little Greene)
Brown decor has been a prominent color trend so far in 2024, and is often recommended by designers to achieve a sophisticated yet slightly moody look.
“Chocolate brown is associated with luxury interior design,” say designers Kyle O'Donnell and Christopher Sale of Gramercy Design. Below, the design duo share their tips for creating a luxurious feel when decorating with chocolate brown.
“Walls aren't the only place to make a statement. Brown can also be used in small doses to create a luxurious look. We recently designed a custom headboard upholstered in chocolate brown mohair and a lounge chair upholstered in chocolate brown bouclé to add contrast to two light-colored rooms. The luxurious texture of chocolate brown adds an extra layer of luxury to the look.”
5. Deep, cool colors
(Image courtesy of Susan Yeley Homes, Photo by Sarah Shields)
As sophisticated as dark browns are, designers also recommend darker, cool-toned hues. From inky blues to charcoal grays, these cool hues are classics that make a bold statement when used across an entire wall.
“Dark, enveloping color schemes can easily create a luxurious feel in a space,” says designer Susan Yeley, creative director of Susan Yeley Homes, who designed this bedroom's walls in Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn, a deep charcoal gray paint.
“Furnished with stunning antique rugs and warm wooden furniture, the space feels tranquil, mature and decidedly luxurious,” adds Susan.
As with dark grays, using a deep blue paint, such as Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue, as the main color in a room can instantly create an atmospheric and dramatic look. “A deep, atmospheric blue is an extravagant choice that adds depth and atmosphere,” explains Brandon Lange. “To enhance the depth of this color choice, pair it with unlacquered brass or polished nickel hardware, or dark woods.”
Looking for more color inspiration? We've rounded up the best luxury color combinations to help you combine colors effectively while maintaining a sophisticated look throughout your home.
