The 9 Designer Color Palettes

You too can have designer color at your fingertips for your next redecorating project. Read on to find out what color palettes designers use to refresh a space.

Ann Fox's Juicy Citrus

Ann says: This is a palette that just makes a person happy—it's great for a room that has no rules, such as a home office. Try it with white-washed furniture.

Walls: Benjamin Moore Sweet Pear 389

Accent wall or painted furniture: Benjamin Moore Tuscan Coral 005

Fabric accent: Benjamin Moore Florida Pink 1320

Accent furniture: Benjamin Moore Sweet Vibrations 391

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Katie Lydon's New Pink

Katie says: This is a rich gray that looks great with white trim. You can change the accent colors and therefore, the whole feel of the room without a huge expense.

Walls: Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers AC-28

Upholstery: Benjamin Moore Natural Cream OC-14

Painted coffee table or other accent: Benjamin Moore Van Buren Brown HC-70

Pillows: Benjamin Moore Rose Silk 2104-60

Small accents: Metallic silver

  • Visit Katie Lydon's site

Mimi McMakin's Brights

Mimi says: This combination of colors would bring the memory of summer days, year-round: a soft turquoise-y blue ceiling, light citrusy green walls, bright white trim, pale yellow chintz fabric on the furniture, with some bright pops of pink on pillows or accessories.

Walls: Benjamin Moore Lemon Freeze 2025-50

Ceiling: Benjamin Moore Innocence 2055-70

Upholstery: Benjamin Moore Lemonade 2024-60

Small accents: Benjamin Moore Hot Lips 2077-30

  • Visit Mimi McMakin's site

Gunkelman's Updated Classic

Tom Gunkelman says: This is a classic palette but has a fresh overall feeling with the two accent colors: steel blue and yellow. Soft green walls make a perfect backdrop; it's nature's color.

Walls: Benjamin Moore Hampton Green 2150-50

Ceiling and trim: Benjamin Moore Cloud White 967

Large accent color: Benjamin Moore Charlotte Slate AC-24

Upholstered furniture: Benjamin Moore Bleeker Beige HC-80

Small accent (pillows): Benjamin Moore Yellow Rain Coat 2020-40

Ann Fox's Warm Seaglass

Ann says: Being a native Texan, I can't get enough of cool beach glass tones. This scheme is a bit of a twist (and maybe a bit more livable) than the usual beach room. It's not quite as icy.

Walls: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65

Ceiling: Benjamin Moore Seabrook 750

Upholstery (sofa): Benjamin Moore Sweet Daphne 529

Accents: Benjamin Moore Seaside Blue 2054-50

Accents: Benjamin Moore Beverly Hills 180

Constance Ramos' Seaside

Constance says: My go-to color right now is blue. It reminds me of the sea and the sky⁠—and endless opportunities.

Walls: Valspar Seaside Villa SR204

Drapes, wall textiles, sofa: Valspar Dockside Haze SR206

Large accent: Valspar Thunder Gray SR210

Trim and painted pieces: Valspar Fishnet SR310

Accent: Benjamin Moore Sweet Butter 171

Accent: Metallic silver

Patrice Cowan Bevans' Rich Elegance

Patrice Cowan Bevans created a palette for everyone with a brown sofa. The pale green beautiful contrasts dark upholstery; a dose of red energizes it.

Walls: Benjamin Moore Spring Dust 2150-40

Ceiling: Benjamin Moore Rainforest Dew 2146-50

Upholstery: Benjamin Moore Bittersweet Chocolate 2114-10

Trim: Benjamin Moore Linen White 912

Painted accent or fabric: Benjamin Moore Pinata 007

  • Visit Patrice Cowan Bevans' site

Kishani Perera's Poppy

Kishani says: This palette is bold yet no one color is overpowering. However, you do need high-impact white and black accents⁠—a sofa, chair, rug, or cabinetry, for example⁠—for a visual break.

Walls: Benjamin Moore Old Claret 2083-30

Painted piece: Benjamin Moore Purple Easter Egg 2073-50

Accent: Benjamin Moore Butterscotch 2157-30

Accent: Benjamin Moore Butter 2023-60

  • Visit Kishani's site

Liz Levin's Fresh Neutrals

Liz says: Neutral color schemes are elegant and timeless—so calming at times they can put you to sleep. But not this one! A bold jolt of color (fuchsia) is refreshing in an energizing way; it gives a neutral room a shot in the arm.

Walls: Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan HC-81

Accent wall color: Benjamin Moore Jamesboro Gold HC-88

Furniture or large accent: Benjamin Moore Falcon Brown 1238

Upholstered chair or pillows: Benjamin Moore Night Flower 1344

Small accent: Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

  • Visit Liz's site

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BONUS: Our 2015 Color Palette of the Year

Take a bold color adventure with our Color Palette of the Year. See the colors in action.