Designing schemes with the use of primary colours

The primary colours are the basis for every other shade on the colour spectrum. Red, yellow, and blue can combine to create a vast range of warm and cool schemes. Introducing these shades can bring a statement feel to your interior designs, creating a confident focal point that draws the eye.

Be inspired by a selection of schemes that utilise the primary colours in innovative ways. Explore ideas for combining these shades with complementary colours to create harmonious, coherent and impactful interiors.

To select a paint colour for your scheme, browse the palette of primary colours

or order a colour card.

5 Striking Ways to Create a Primary Colour Scheme in the Home

Signature red, Very Well Red, desk contrasted inky blue shades, Plimsoll and Blue Blood on the walls.

1. Draw the eye to a statement piece of furniture

Furniture is a fantastic host for bold colour accents, as each piece can be updated with ease. Whether it’s a desk, a chair or a larger piece such as a wardrobe, painting your furniture in a strong primary colour will create a new focal point for your scheme. Introduce a contrasting, primary colour highlight within a monochromatic scheme to instantly enliven the palette.

Consider using the signature red, Very Well Red, to bring unexpected contrast and flair to a scheme of inky blues, Plimsoll and Blue Blood.

Elegant entrance hall double drenched in Antique blue, Blue Blood, paired with marble flooring.

2. Embrace a colour drenched primary colour scheme

If you have the confidence to use bold colours all over, try colour drenching with a primary shade. This approach will achieve a truly captivating interior. Embrace the rich pigmentation of one strong shade on every surface of your scheme. Colour drenching creates an encompassing, uncompromising primary colour scheme.

An all-over scheme is ideal for a spacious reception room or hallway. Decorating with primary colours will create a definite statement that leaves a lasting impression on guests. The antique blue, Blue Blood, looks stunning when embraced on both walls and woodwork.

Dining scheme painted in Blue Pearl accompanied by the soft muted pink, Temple.

3. Create a focal point with two contrasting shades

Juxtaposing your chosen primary shade with a contrasting hue will create a very striking focal point. Often, when two contrasting colours are placed side by side, each one can appear more intensely vivid.'

Using a light and dark approach – with one deeper hue and one lighter, complementary shade – will bring overall balance and harmony. Blue Pearl accompanied by the soft muted pink, Temple, is a great combination for a dining scheme. It provides an impactful backdrop that abounds in beauty and elegance.

Explore the benefits of using light and dark colours in combination.

Living space painted in Paper Architectural Colours with the ceiling contrasted in classic deep yellow, Muga.

4. Showcase the ceiling with a colour highlight

Although often neglected, the ceiling is the fifth wall of your space and the ideal place to make a statement with a vibrant shade. Alongside neutral walls, a bold painted ceiling will draw your eyes upwards to give your scheme an elevated feel. Using primary shades on your ceiling is a fabulous way to showcase decorative cornicing or interesting architectural details.

Consider the classic deep yellow, Muga, which partners well with the Paper Architectural Colours.

Read more about selecting ceiling paint colours.

Bootroom painted in two sheens (Architects’ Matt and Architects’ Gloss) of the orange shade, Caravan.

5. Add design interest with contrasting sheen levels

Using a primary shade all over or on one accent wall can give your scheme a clean, contemporary look.

To create an element of contrast without introducing a new paint colour, consider experimenting with sheen levels. Pairing two different finishes will bring interesting textural contrast to your walls. Try using the flat matt, Architects’ Matt, alongside a high-sheen gloss, Architects’ Gloss. This technique will also allow you to admire the effect that sheen level can have on the appearance of colour.

Read the Paint and Paper Library guide to selecting the best paint finish for different surfaces.

Primary colour interior design: What pairs well with primary colours?

Hallway with bright primary yellow accent wall in shade Brimstone, paired with neutral colour, Salt IV.

Neutral backdrops to primary colours

Neutrals provide a soft and understated backdrop where you can add impact and personality with a primary colour scheme. Pairing with neutrals is a great solution for those who want to incorporate a primary colour scheme into the home. Introduce bolder colours into the palette without overwhelming the space.

You might choose to paint the walls of a space in neutral and introduce a strong primary red on the woodwork or cabinetry. Or showcase a bright primary yellow like Brimstone to create an accent wall. Then maintain a pared-back feel on the surrounding walls, woodwork and ceilings, by painting them in complementary neutrals.

Traditional kitchen painted in earthy, pink-hued neutral, Mink, paired with brownish red, Scarlet ‘n’ Rust.

When choosing neutrals to pair with your chosen primary colour, consider the undertones of each shade. The lively and contemporary yellow, Brimstone, beautifully accompanies the contrasting, purple-toned Salt Architectural Colours. Whilst Mink – an earthy, pink-hued neutral – pairs well with the brownish red, Scarlet ‘n’ Rust.

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Living space wallpapered in Abbey Gardens – Blue Blood with Blue Blood on the ceiling and coordinating furnishings.

Monochromatic primary colour schemes

Use primary colours within a monochromatic scheme for an all-encompassed finish. This might mean colour drenching your space – using a single colour on the walls, woodwork and ceiling. Alternatively, bring some variation to your scheme with a tonal palette. These designs allow you to create a wraparound effect whilst adding emphasis in certain parts of the space.

Dining space painted in yellow shades Peruvian Yellow on the walls, paired with Pollen II on woodwork.

Consider using a two-tone wallpaper on the walls and highlighting the ceiling in a coordinating primary shade. Abbey Gardens – Blue Blood paired with Blue Blood on the ceiling is an excellent example.

Alternatively, add depth of colour to your scheme by painting the woodwork in a deeper, tonal hue to accompany a classic primary shade on the walls. Consider Peruvian Yellow from the ‘Jewels’ capsule collection paired with Pollen II on woodwork.

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Home interior painted in deep blue Squid Ink on the walls, doors and skirting paired with a block stripe of burnt orange shade, Rufus on the lower half of the walls.

Complementary colours for primary shades

Complementary colour pairings are drawn from opposite sides of the colour wheel. Each of the primary shades has a corresponding ‘complementary’ colour: red and green, blue and orange, yellow and violet. Utilise these combinations within your design schemes to create harmonious yet engaging colour contrasts.

Modern kitchen with two adjacent walls in contrasting shades. Left wall in yellow shade, Chinese Emperor and cupboards in dark brown, Copper Beech.

There are many ways you could incorporate a complementary colour contrast within your scheme:

Colour blocking will create a striking and contemporary focal point. Here you have the option to bring in just a small proportion of the contrasting colour. For example, consider adding a band of colour across the width of the room. Or embrace a yin and yang approach, painting two adjacent walls in contrasting shades.

Some complementary pairings to consider are:

Squid Ink and Rufus
Caravan and Tablecloth
Salvia and Scarlet ‘n’ Rust
Chinese Emperor and Copper Beech

Things to remember when embracing primary colours in interior design

Introducing primary colours in your schemes is a great way to add impact, providing a strong, confident backdrop to interior spaces. You might choose to incorporate a bold, primary shade as a colour accent within a neutral scheme. Or use one confident primary colour on all aspects of a space for a colour drenching approach.

Create an impactful interior design scheme using primary colours from Paint & Paper Library