Guide to Monochromatic Color Schemes

A sketch of a dining area with blue-painted walls, a light blue-painted ceiling and wainscoting, and two doors opening to a dark navy blue hallway.

Learn how a monochromatic paint color palette creates drama and dimension — and infuses any space with style and sophistication.

Understanding the basics of color helps elevate your interiors. Here, you’ll discover how the creative combination of different shades in the same hue, known as a monochromatic color scheme, yields an elegant environment in any room.

Monochromatic Colors 101

What is a monochromatic color scheme? Simply put, it’s a palette that involves a single hue, and an excellent way to layer in color and drama. There are two distinct monochromatic styles:

Single Shade: A single shade color scheme uses one color without any variation in hue. This approach makes choosing trim color a snap, since everything will be the same color. The powerful effect of a single shade can be enhanced further by using different paint sheens on your trim and moldings.
Multiple Shades: A multiple shade color scheme uses several shades of the same hue, as well as shades with varying undertones. Using multiple shades of one color softens the look of a monochromatic palette, imbuing relaxing energy into any space. This approach can make a room look bigger and is ideal for enhancing small spaces.

Always a great resource, the color wheel is integral to interior design: Check out these highlights to see how the color wheel can help with your paint color search!

A color wheel featuring primary and secondary colors.

Monochromatic Color Palettes

To help you shape your own monochromatic color scheme, use these curated palettes by color family, created by our color experts.

White Paint Colors

Bring subtle dimension to your space by layering white paint colors.

Chantilly Lace
OC-65
Mountain Peak White
OC-121
Soft Chamois
OC-13
Creamy White
OC-7

Beige & Brown Paint Colors

Infuse your home with sophistication using shades of beige and brown.

Fossil
AF-65
Revere Pewter
HC-172
Cotswold
AF-150
Stone Brown
2112-30

Blue Paint Colors

Build a calming space using a diverse range of blue hues.

White Diamond
OC-61
Iceberg
2122-50
Sheer Romance
837
Hale Navy
HC-154

Purple Paint Colors

Create a luxurious, romantic atmosphere with varying shades of purple.

Mirage White
2116-70
Lavender Ice
2069-60
Sanctuary
AF-620
Black Raspberry
2072-20

Red Paint Colors

Add warmth into any space with a variety of pinks and reds.

Pink Damask
OC-72
Queen Anne Pink
HC-60
Almond Beige
2101-40
Hot Apple Spice
2005-20

Examples of Elevated Monochromatic Color Schemes

A green-painted living room with green-printed couch, stone end table, glass coffee table, and bookshelves matching the walls.

This saturated monochromatic study evokes the feeling of a lush jungle. Trim and doors in Rainforest Foliage 2040-10 pack a powerful punch in a high-gloss sheen, a beautiful contrast against matte walls in Amazon Moss 2037-10.

An opulent dining room with blue-painted walls, ceiling and fireplace, and a chandelier over a large wooden dining table and chairs. The style is classic with an exotic twist.

Bold, dramatic, opulent. This Spectra Blue 2049-50 dining room showcases the power of a monochromatic color scheme. Experimenting with sheen in unexpected places, like a semi-gloss ceiling, creates a luminous look ideal for dining in style.

Taupe entryway with wooden door, wainscoting, and beige chair.

Creating a monochromatic palette with neutral colors can be tricky, but when you get it right, the result is classic. Try mixing slightly different undertones within one hue, seen in this taupe entryway, to create a subtle contrast between shades.

Blue-gray living area with two-toned stairs, wainscoting, gray couch with yellow pillows, small cage chandelier, and wall art.

Welcome guests with a monochromatic color palette of cool grays with subtle violet undertones. Try a dual-toned staircase to bring whimsy to a sophisticated space. This entryway is painted in Feather Gray 2127-60 and Pike’s Peak Gray 2127-50.