The colour combos interior designers can’t get enough of

From sunlit yellow and merlot to blues grounded in chocolate brown, designers are embracing expressive colour combinations that move beyond safe neutrals.

For Shannon Shlom of We are Duet, the most compelling palettes push boundaries. “The most rewarding combinations are those that edge into unfamiliar territory … it feels more considered, and joyful.”

Here, top colour alchemists reveal their perfect palettes to bring spaces to life through inventive, considered colour.

Peacock hour

“Aubergine paired with teal offers a deep, immersive palette,” says Shlom. “It thrives on depth through layering and nuance, such as lustrous silk, weaves, or richly grained timber.”

Consider who the space is for and how it will be used, then allow architecture, light, materials, and context to guide the palette.

“Instead of standard dark blue, explore teal that is less obvious yet grounded in nature,” says Dominique Brammah from We are Duet. “Each element carries weight, but it’s the balance that defines the outcome.”

Sunny-side up

“Colour is a cost-effective way to generate an emotional response. When used with intent, it can completely shift how a space feels,” says Nick Browne of Goldie Homes.

“The Gold Coast is a resort city, and indoor-outdoor living is fundamental. I’m drawn to Dulux’s Happy Yellow paired with Natural White for its sense of sunshine, playfulness and optimism against a calm, crisp backdrop … it feels fresh, uplifting and true to the Gold Coast spirit,” he says.

Browne begins with a base colour running from exterior to interior for a calm, cohesive thread, then layers in colour to create a mood.

“A strong neutral anchor allows bolder tones to be introduced that are balanced with natural light and raw materials such as timber, concrete, glass, and greenery for a home that feels warm, grounded, and effortless.”

Too soft? Too bold? Just right

“Unexpected soft and strong pairings that pique that Goldilocks’ just right’ moment is my ideal combination,” says designer Juliette Arent from Arent & Pyke. “When combined, they’re neither overpowering nor underwhelming.”

For a living space in a home in Sydney’s Elizabeth Bay, Pyke designed a caramel-toned American white oak dining table with lacquered cobalt blue legs, anchoring it among purple, deep red, and herbaceous green on the surrounding banquette and chairs.

“In living rooms, natural light is key in determining shades,” she says.

“If light is lacking, I uplift the walls with an energising colour, then balance it with darker, patterned rugs with grounding spice notes.”

Breezy, bright and toasty

“I’m drawn to blues paired with earthen browns,” says designer Brahman Perera. “Blue brings lightness while brown is grounding. Handled with restraint, it feels familiar yet contemporary, lifting the density of natural finishes to create a calm atmosphere rather than a decorative one.”

Brammah is drawn to a palette in which earthy paprika meets blue. “The warmth of paprika brings emotional intensity, while blue offers a sense of calm, creating a layered experience that feels both evocative and composed.”

Melbourne studio SSdH is also enamoured, selecting neutrals such as timber, brick, cork, and stone.

“We have a soft spot for blue and brown, such as a deep blue bathroom sitting alongside a spotted gum timber hallway,” says director Jean-Marie Spencer.

“We are selective about where colour is applied,” adds co-designers Harrison Smart and Todd de Hoog. “This might be elements such as a column, window frame, or joinery that adds to the overall colour palette but doesn’t overwhelm other (elements).”

Rosé all day

Shona McElroy from SMAC Studio balances expressive colours by leaning on muted tones.

“It allows a space to embrace colour while still feeling liveable,” she says, citing pink, which feels instantaneously sophisticated and playful.

“We tend to be more subdued and upmarket in the kitchen, however, take me to the powder room, bathroom, or bedroom, and things change! Smaller rooms can carry bold paint on the walls, coloured stone, or vibrant upholstery,” she says.