Autumn signals the end of long, sunny days and ushers in dark cosy nights. As the lush green of summer gives way to deep reds and earthy browns, it’s not just a season of change, but one of deep inspiration.
There has never been a better time to reinvent a space, blending warm neutral palettes with bold autumnal accents to bring the richness of the season into the home.
Before choosing specific shades however it’s important to have a framework to keep the approach structured and on track.
The 60-30-10 Rule
When there are so many options available with seemingly endless combinations, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why it helps to keep in mind this simple design principle for creating a harmonious colour scheme: the 60-30-10 rule.
This simple but effective principle suggests that a balanced colour scheme is comprised of three main colours:
60% - Dominant Colour
This is your primary shade and lays the foundation of the overall scheme. This is the shade that grounds the room, covering the largest areas within a space such as the walls, flooring and main pieces of furniture.
30% - Secondary Colour
The main purpose of this aspect of the scheme is to support and enrich the dominant colour by providing a secondary layer. It will ideally cover about half the amount of space and is best suited to secondary furniture pieces, curtains and rugs etc.
10% - Accent Colour
The purpose of this aspect is to tie the entire scheme together and add personality and dimension. Whilst used sparingly, this is the perfect opportunity to introduce a bold autumnal pop through items such as pillows, artwork and other smaller accessories creating a cohesive space.
Building Your Palette: Autumnal Colours For Each Ratio
Now that we have our framework in place and we understand how this will guide our approach to a space, it’s time to create the palette that is going to give us the perfect autumnal scheme. By assigning specific shades from the autumnal spectrum to each of the three percentages, you create a balanced palette that mimics the warmth and depth of autumn.
Translating this principle into the ideal autumnal scheme requires assigning specific shades to each ratio:
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60%
The aim here is to provide a foundation that makes the room feel cozy, not cold, by using warm neutral tones. Creamstone Neutrals are perfectly suited to this as they offer soft, pale and earthy tones that sit in the off-white/warm beige range. Committing to a warm base is key as it allows the richer colours within the 30% and 10% to pop, which ultimately brings much needed depth and dimension to the space without making it feel dark and overworked. For instance, consider using the following neutrals:
- Sherwin-Williams - Shoji White (SW 7042)
- Sherwin-Williams - Accessible Beige (SW 7036)
- Farrow & Ball - Slipper Satin (No. 2004)
- Farrow & Ball - School House White (No 291)
- Benjamin Moore – Balboa Mist (OC-27)
30%
Once the base colour is established the secondary 30% is where you begin to introduce depth to the space through mid-tones, such as darker greens, burnt oranges etc. This colour should cover larger furniture pieces that support the dominant colour, such as the sofa, rugs, curtains. Deeper, nature inspired colours add much needed contrast against the warm neutral walls. For instance, consider using the following earthy tones:
- Farrow & Ball - Studio Green (No. 93)
- Sherwin-Williams - Evergreen Fog (SW 9130)
- Farrow & Ball - Red Earth (No. 64)
- Dulux’s Liqueur (5998)
10%
The last 10% is all about accents, this is where you can add a bold hit of colour that brings the whole space together in one cohesive scheme. Unlike with the previous sections, the colours you select are used sparingly through small accessories such as pillows, throws, wall art etc. These last additions of colour provide the final layer and depth that ties the entire scheme together in one harmonious look. For instance, consider using the following Pantones:
- Mustard Yellow/Gold (Vibrant deep golden yellow) - PANTONE 14-0848 TCX
- Deep Rusty Red (Muted, earthy red with a strong brown base) - PANTONE 18-1442 TCX
- Spiced Saffron (Intense, fiery orange-yellow) - PANTONE 16-1160 TCX
Autumn Colour Combinations
Now that the core ratios have been established and we understand how this principle structures our approach to a space, we now want to see how our selected shades/tones will work in tandem together. This section highlights the true benefit of the 60-30-10 through the interplay of the secondary and accent colours, as by utilising these contrasting tones effectively, the warm neutral foundation evolves into a cohesive and visually appealing autumn colour scheme:
Combination 1
60% (Walls) – Sherwin – Williams - Accessible Beige (SW7036).
30% (Sofa/Curtains) – Deep Forest Green (Pantone 19-0650 TCX)
10% (Pillows/Accessories) – Deep Rusty Red (Pantone 18-1442 TCX)
Combination 2
60% (Walls) – Farrow & Ball, Slipper Satin (No. 2004)
30% (Sofa/Curtains) – Rich Terracotta/Clay (Pantone 7594 C).
10% (Pillows/Accessories) – Intense Orange/Yellow (Pantone 15-0955 TCX)
Combination 3
60% (Walls) – Sherwin Williams, Shoji White (SW7042).
30% (Sofa/Curtains) – Deep Plum/Aubergine (Pantone 19-3316 TCX).
10% (Pillows/Accessories) – Mustard Yellow/Gold (Pantone 14-0848 TCX)
Best Paints
Whilst selecting the perfect colour combinations will always be the key to a cohesive and visually appealing palette, achieving the right depth and sophistication comes from the quality of the paint itself. When it comes to selecting the perfect paint, it pays to invest in a higher end product, as they have a much higher ratio of prime pigments which deliver better depth of colour and hue compared to the lower end products.
Below are several examples of UK brands that deliver exceptional products that will elevate the autumnal scheme through colour alone:
- · Farrow & Ball- They’re known for producing extremely pigment rich paints which achieve a fantastic depth of colour.
- · Little Greene- Again, known for their distinct focus on high pigment levels, they produce high performance and environmentally friendly products that provide excellent depth of colour.
- · Paint & Paper Library- Known for highly sophisticate, subtle palettes with their focus being interior architecture.
- · Edward Bulmer Natural Paint- Known for their eco-friendly and sustainable products, using natural pigments and renewable ingredients. Their paints offer luxurious colour with strong environmental credentials.
- · Mylands -They are frequently used by the film and theatre industry due to their highly durable and pigment rich paints, which leave a deep and luxurious finish. Additionally, they have held a Royal Warrant since 1985 which is a testament to their quality and dedication.
Equipped with a solid understanding of correct colour proportions, transforming your space with a vibrant autumnal colour scheme is now less daunting and entirely achievable. By always keeping your framework in place and trusting those proportions, you can breathe new life into any room, creating a beautiful and balanced space that lasts.
