Guide to Monochromatic Color Schemes in Design

Monochromatic color schemes are great options for creating simplicity in a space while adding depth. Monochromatic palettes of any color can be applied to color theory when styling a space; they can be bold and dramatic or soft and subtle. Doing so is an incredibly easy way to bring a touch of elegance to your interior.

What Is a Monochromatic Color Scheme?

A monochromatic color scheme means that you base your room's design on one simple dominant color while adding its various shades and tones throughout the space to create interest and texture. You can go light and dark, meaning you can also use white in any monochromatic scheme because it is considered the lightest tone of any color. For example, it is common to incorporate white trim or white accessories in a room that's designed with a monochromatic scheme. Adding accents in black provide punctuation without color, while metallics bring shimmer and sparkle to a monochromatic palette.

Color Theory Terminology: Shades, Tints, and Tones

As you research how to create your color scheme, it's important to have an understanding of several common terms. Here are the definitions you need to know:

• Base color: This is the dominant or main color selected for the color scheme. It is the starting point from which all other color choices are derived.
• Hue: In color theory, a hue refers to the pure pigment that the eye sees in a color. The 12 pure pigments that come from the color wheel include primary, secondary, or tertiary. The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. The secondary colors formed from combinations of the primary colors are green, orange, and purple. The tertiary colors are formed by mixing a primary and secondary color and include yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green, and yellow-green.
• Shade: This refers to colors resulting when black is added to a color to make it darker.
• Tint: This is the color that results from the addition of white to make it lighter, as in pastel colors. 
• Tone: A tone results when gray is added to a color to reduce its intensity. Most colors commonly used in room paints are actually tones, not pure colors.

How to Design With Monochromatic Color Schemes

Not all monochromatic colors look good together in a space. For example, pairing bright or vibrant tones with dull and dark tones may backfire, so it's important to choose shades, tints, and tones that complement each other.

To begin, use one color in the scheme for the room's base which will be the color that dominates the room's decor plan. For example, you may choose to use that color on the walls.

The next step is to pick lighter and darker variations of that color to use as options when choosing furniture, accessories, and trim around the room. When you are choosing paint at a paint store you often will find color samples that give a selection of color variations built around different base colors to guide your selections. 

Experts recommend picking at least two options off of the base color—one lighter and one darker. As is true of any color scheme, you’ll need to determine where and how each variation will be used in the overall design. It's important to make sure your colors are different enough from one another to provide some contrast. Colors that are too close can create a muddy, imprecise feeling in your room's design.

Benefits of Monochromatic Schemes in Design

Monochromatic color schemes have several virtues that make them worth considering in design. Benefits of monotone color schemes include:

• Creates a sense of simplicity and harmony in a space when using one color 
• Eliminates the concerns about clashing colors
• Provides a minimalist backdrop to highlight precious items or antiques
• Highlights contrasting elements and architecture in a room
• Makes a bold impression when using an intense or unusual color base

Adding Other Colors to Monochromatic Designs

Strict adherence to the rules would dictate that all colors be within the monochromatic scheme with no exceptions. However, many designers like to carefully break the rules.

In some instances, for example, an accent color that strongly contrasts with the base color can actually highlight the effectiveness of the overall design. Especially in white or black monochrome designs, the use of a single contrasting color can be very effective. However, make sure to use extra color sparingly and with deliberate intention.