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Monochromatic color combination


ideas and expert advice on creating the look |

If you like colorful rooms, you will love the latest, joyful trend to seep into interiors: the monochromatic color scheme. Layering the same color on the same color, this bold, dramatic look is tipped to be huge for 2021 as a reaction to the difficult year we have all experienced.

See: Living room color schemes – the best color ideas for living spaces

Dominic Mylands of Mylands Paints comments, 'After a challenging year, we’re increasingly seeing customers want bolder, more playful colors in the homes that they have been spending so much time in. Designing spaces with cheerful, bold colors injects a sense of vibrancy and joy into the home allowing it to shine. 

'It’s important to love the bold colors you will be using, and make sure that it will be appropriate for the room’s purpose, but as long as you are happy with the color and if it will create an environment that you will enjoy spending time in – go for it! 

'We have seen customers create immersive spaces by painting the entire room one color, including the ceilings, which works particularly well in smaller rooms. '

So what's the best way to approach the seemingly daring same color-on-color look? We asked a number of top designers for tips on how to make monochromatic color schemes work in your own home.

What is a monochromatic color scheme?

A monochromatic color scheme is a one-color scheme that is created using different tones of that one color. Once you have chosen your base color, you can use a color wheel to help you choose different hues of that same color, varying the saturation and tone of the base color to pick out lighter and darker hues.

Monochromatic color schemes are easy to create but look dramatic because of their use of a single color. The monochrome you choose will largely depend on your preference for that single color, since you can choose warm, cool, light or dark shades to suit your room's orientation, daylight, size, shape and mood.

Monochromatic color scheme ideas

Use these ideas – and the expert advice provided – to get the look just right for your rooms. Below, we have more advice on getting monochrome rooms perfectly balanced.

1. Choose blues for a soothing atmosphere

(Image credit: Future/Jake Curtis)

Blue comes in a whole range of tones that can conjure up hugely contrasting moods. Sky blue-on-blue is an excellent choice for a bedroom to offer tranquility and relaxation blended with the hope of a new dawn. 

We love how the bedlinen exactly matches the walls in the room above, while the white punctuates but doesn't dilute. The shapely lamp is a clever touch – picked out in white it's a clever decorative accent.

Below, you can see how a much deeper, moodier blue-grey can create a much cozier finish. This is a more difficult shade to work with since it can feel unremittingly gloomy in a light-starved room – which is why we have added some warmer elements to the scheme. A cheat on the monochromatic color scheme, but a worthy one.

See: Decorating with blue – more ways to give your rooms a fresh feel

(Image credit: Future/Polly Wreford)

The kitchen is a good place to experiment the all-blue monochromatic color scheme, allowing you to use cabinets and wall space to great effect.  

'For a style statement, create impact using the same color-on-color rule for kitchen cabinets and island counters,' says Tom Howley , Design Director. 'You can also expand this color into tiles, backsplash and soft furnishings in open plan spaces, such as sofas, cushions or upholstered bar stools.'

(Image credit: Ledbury Studio)

2. Think pink for joyful cocooning chic

(Image credit: Charlotte Gaisford)

'Using color-on-color can be a great way to make a design statement in any room,' says designer Matthew Williamson . 'The best way to approach using a bold pink is to introduce the color in different mediums. For example, a pink linen sofa could work beautifully with a color-matched wallpaper featuring a pattern in an accent color. 

'For another layer of pink in the same space, look towards soft furnishings like cushions and throws, or accessories like lampshades, artworks, trays and sculptures. The trick is to think about how you can build up layers of texture while staying true to your chosen tone.'

Below, Mylands ’ FTT-005 pink has been used on the walls, fire surround and built-in wardrobes for a cosy and chic all-over look. The pink is also picked out in accessories and soft furnishings, including curtains, pampas grass and the artwork, for extra cohesion.

(Image credit: Design by 2LG Studios featured in their new book, 'Making Living Lovely - Free Your Home With Creative Design,' Mylands FTT-005 paint.)

3. Tropical orange is vibrant yet sophisticated

(Image credit: Andrew Martin)

'A great tip for working this monochrome bold color trend is finding a print that has an inverse as well,' says Martin Waller, Founder of Andrew Martin . 'We complemented Kit Kemp’s Wychwood Melon Orange wallpaper with the fabric in the inverted version of the print for the headboard. This allows you to add texture and interest without introducing another color.  

'Carry the color through the space in little details and accessories like artwork and throws, remember it doesn’t have to match exactly, as long as the tones stay consistent. A key part of finishing off this look is to balance it out with the opposite shade, just as the blue chest of drawers does in this beautiful orange bedroom (above).' 

Below, you can see how two monochromatic color schemes can be used for impact in just a section of an open-plan space – the entranceway is bold and colorful, and leads to the contrasting, calmer staircase that's moodier in all-grey. 

(Image credit: Little Greene)

4. Pick a sunny yellow for a color scheme with punch

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Yellow-on-yellow is perfect for creating an exuberant, warm room where natural daylight might be lacking or cool. Different tones and juxtapositions will create different effects. Above, an earthier yellow, contrasted with black, looks grown up and elegant, perfect for a living space or hallway; below, a sunnier yellow is ideal for a bedroom that might only be used in the half-light, when it will feel utterly cosseting.  

See: Yellow room ideas – guaranteed to turn up the heat

(Image credit: Future/Simon Whitmore)

5. Mint green is uplifting and serene

(Image credit: Designers Guild)

Mint green is bright but not overpowering - the perfect bold color to layer up for a refreshing finish that feeds into the biophilic trend.

'Think of green as a neutral and it becomes less frightening to use,' says a Designers Guild interior design expert. 'There are so many greens in nature and they rarely clash but, to be safe, choose greens that harmonize and have a similar undertone. In this picture (above) the greens have slightly more blue undertones, which pick up the colors of the leaves in the curtains.'

We also love how even the ceramics and the cushions got the memo.

(Image credit: Rapture & Wright)

Above, a brighter green is used in a more tempered fashion – these more emerald green can be overpowering used as color blocks, so breaking up the shade with a neutral such as white is a wise move.

Below, a moodier green is used to make a bright living space feel calm and relaxing – the warmer color accents lift the scheme just the touch it needs.

See: Green room ideas – gorgeous ways to use nature's palette

(Image credit: Future)

What are the components of a monochromatic color scheme?

There are four components to a monochromatic color scheme: hue; tone; shade; and tint. Each has an important role to play.

Hue is your base – or dominant – color, such as yellow.

Tones are the more muted versions of your base color. Think of them as a grey-er, moodier version.   

Shades are darker still versions of your base color – think a hint of black rather than grey. So, a cardinal red might be your base color, with deeper, dining room reds your shades.

Tints are your base color with a touch of white added. So, going back to the red, the tint would be a paler red that leant towards a dark pink. 

The Ultimate Guide To Monochromatic Colors In Graphic Design

“One can speak poetry just by arranging colors well.”
– Vincent Van Gogh

The burst of joy, the tone of seriousness, or a splash of personality, color is absolutely definitive in any design. The colors you pick for a design play a massive role in the final outcome. Color influences communication. If you know a thing or two about color psychology, you'll be familiar with how different colors are associated with particular meanings, and therefore the human brain associates them with particular feelings and ideas. Our color choices in art and design are a vital component in the process and end result.

Experimenting with a stack of different color techniques helps you become a more well-rounded artist and able to offer your clients a diverse range of options.

The more variety of skills and techniques you have under your belt, the deeper you’re able to go with your creation. So in case you haven’t experimented with a monochromatic color scheme, or you wish to take what you know about it further, keep reading because in this article we’re going to explore how you can get the most out of monochrome.

What Are Monochromatic Colors?

The Tate art museum defines monochrome as follows:

"Monochrome means one color, so in relation to art, a monochrome artwork is one that includes only one color."

That totally makes sense, especially when you break the meaning of the word down from its Greek roots:

However, it’s not as simple as “one color.” Designers will understand just how many varieties there are of a single color. Monochrome colors are all the varieties of a single hue - the tints, shades, and tones. A monochromatic color scheme will range between lighter and darker versions of the base color or hue. So before continuing, let’s catch up on some color theory.

Image Source: Wikimedia
Quick Catch Up On Color Theory

In case you need a refresher, or you’re totally new to this stuff, let’s establish some basics:

Hue - basically means “color.” If you dive into the definition, you’ll find all kinds of technical color theory information like how the hue is the dominant wavelength in a color. Painters understand “hue” as the purest form of a pigment when dealing with paint color, so try and think of it like that - a pure color before it’s altered by shade, tint, and tone.

Tint - Makes a color lighter. Tints are created by adding white to a color.

Shade - Makes a color darker by adding black.

Tone - Refers to a color’s vibrance. They are changed by adding grey. A color with more grey will be a duller tone than the original color, while one with less grey will be a more saturated version of that color.

Image Source: Public Domain Pictures

On the color wheel, each segment represents the color family of a single hue. There are subtle differences between each variation of the hue, all of which would make up a monochromatic color palette.

When using this scheme for design, each of your elements will be a range of tints, shades, and tones based on one selected base color. Because there are variations for each hue, you are free to get creative and express in any way you choose with a monochrome scheme from bright and bold to cool and muted.

Tips And Ideas For Using A Monochromatic Color Scheme

Choosing Your Base Color

So you’ve decided to go with a monochromatic color palette for your design. But oh my, which hue do you use for the base color?

Remember that the rest of your color palette is going to be a variation of the base color, so it’s important that the hue you decide on is on-brand, on-fleek, or simply communicates the right message (remember what we said about color psychology?).

It depends on your communication objectives and the intended audience. If you’re simply dabbling in a creative project for yourself or your personal brand, you could go straight for your favorite color and play with the various shades and tones of that.

If you’re creating a graphic design or illustration for a brand, you might want to make the base color the same as that of the brand’s C.I. If you want to make a statement, choosing a memorable color such as something neon could work to your advantage, if you use it right.

Creating Your Color Palette

Monochromatic schemes usually consist of 3 to 7 variations in your one-color palette, made up of darker shades and lighter tints of the original color.

It’s always good to start any design project by experimenting. Digital graphic design tools such as Photoshop or Vectornator make it really easy to experiment and create a palette, simplifying the design process.

Play around with creating variations of your base color and narrow it down to the few you feel work best together. You might decide to combine a few monochrome variations with an extra color, perhaps even a complementary color, to add an extra layer of intrigue to your design.

If you’re new to design and need to learn about how to create a digital color palette with your design software, you can find plenty of helpful videos on YouTube such as the one below.

Brand Identity

Monochromatic design is perfect for creating visual cohesion. There are many design elements that go into creating a visual identity, but color will play a major role in defining the brand.

When choosing the color, you’ll start where anything in marketing starts - knowing your audience.  You’ve got to choose a color that will resonate with the intended audience as well as communicate what the brand stands for.

Applying a monochrome technique to brand identity is a great way to create unity and will make designing anything for the brand that much easier going forward as all the colors has already been chosen.

Create Vibrant, Bold Designs

You can have fun with bold colors such as neon or red in a monochromatic scheme.

The benefit of incorporating lighter tints and darker shades of a striking, bold color into a design is that you can make a statement without the design being overwhelming or too bright. The variety of shades and tints helps to balance out bolder colors, making your bright base hue function as an accent color.

Create Calming, Muted Designs

Neutral tones look oh-so chic together in a monochrome design. This type of scheme is fantastic for lifestyle brands and looks classy on social media.

A neutral color palette keeps a design simple, and brings a sense of peace and connection to nature. Various shades of beige and brown are gentle and calming, especially when combined with white. Darker shades of neutral can also be used to create a warm ambiance.

Make Your Illustration Irresistible

Monochromatic images are beautiful. This illustration takes just one color found in a sunset and enlivens it with ambiance by basing an entire illustration on a purple monochrome palette.

Sibi has used a range of tones in purple to bring depth to the artwork by creating the illusion of shadow and silhouette. Contrasted by lighter shades of purple, the monochrome image is perfectly dynamic by just using one color.

Play With Grayscale

There are tons of fun and sophisticated ways to incorporate grayscale into designs. You might refer to this as an achromatic color scheme, meaning that it is without color and purely made up of shades and tones. One technique you could try is combining an achromatic theme with a pop of color for a strong visual statement.

Ramius Aquiler plays with monochrome in grayscale by combining a pop of yellow. Bright and expressive colors contrasted against grey work beautifully together.

Grayscale can be cool, classy, and simple, and there are more variations than you’d think. You could add an undertone of beige, yellow or red to create variations of warmer grays or diversify your color options with a sharp contrast between black and white.

Going grayscale can be a good option for print projects, as it is much more affordable to print.

Produce Packaging That Pops

Monochrome color schemes make for some really inspiring packaging designs. This technique works particularly well when packaging products that come in a set. Each item can be differentiated by having its own variation from the color palette as seen below.

Going with a monochrome look in grayscale would be a suitable packaging solution for affordable printing.

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Use It In UI

You can use color as an innovative communication technique in UI design. Use variations of a color to show relationships or to differentiate segments on an interface. In the example seen below, variations of orange are used to communicate degrees of temperature. You can use color to cleverly communicate all kinds of things to make for an easy and pleasant user experience.

Use It For Simplicity

A monochrome palette is the perfect solution for honing the beauty of simplicity. It makes the design process itself simpler, as you don’t need to combine different colors, and it communicates simplicity to the eye. Even a bright and vibrant monochrome scheme is simple for the fact that there is no stark variation in color, offering a sense of unity that’s inherently uncomplicated and effortless.

Create Dynamic Photographs

There is so much fun to be had with monochromatic color photography, and overlays.

A monochromatic image is bound to stand out as an editorial design, on a poster, or on social media. You can combine a monochrome color scheme with photography by intentionally photographing a monochromatic scene, or in the editing phase by applying a tinted overlay on top of a photograph.

Image Source: FOODISM360 | Image Source: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos | Image Source: Adam Gonzales

Try Texture

By playing with texture, or the illusion of texture, you can create an entire design in just one color, without any variations, and still have something totally dynamic. Think embossing. Think patterns. Think 3D. There are plenty of ways to make an image interesting just by applying texture to minimal color.

Image Source: Jack B

Make Infographics Interesting

Infographic design has evolved exponentially in the last few years. Designers are getting really creative and making some gorgeous infographic designs.

There are even graphic design software tools that help non-designers easily create infographics too because they have become such a valuable piece of content. As a graphic designer, it will be worth your while to be able to produce captivating infographics. But even if you're not a trained designer, you too might need to create one at some stage in your job or studies.

Applying a monochromatic color scheme can make for a creative and engaging infographic that strikes the perfect balance between being interesting enough to draw the eye in whilst not distracting from the information itself.

The infographic below uses shades of blue to create variation and intrigue in its design.

Wrap Up

Whether it’s baby pink for a bubblegum brand, greyscale with blue accent color, or a range of dark shades in green to create a moody illustration, there are many ways to go with monochrome.

Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas for different techniques and styles so that you can try something new with your designs. If you’re just getting started or you’re a seasoned graphic designer looking for something fresh, be sure to try out our free vector design software.

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    Monochrome color combination - based on a combination of colors of the same color tone, in the presence of shades with different lightness and saturation.

    This may include:

    Such compositions are calm, balanced, restrained, but at the same time static (similar to an achromatic color combination). Dynamics of such a composition can be given by creating a strong contrast in lightness and contrast in saturation between colors. Monochrome compositions are the simplest, but it is not advisable to use them in creating an interior, since the monopoly of one color causes discomfort in a person and can even cause a psychophysical disorder. On the hair, this combination looks calm and is often used.

    It is worth noting the fact that achromatic color combination can be called one of the varieties of monochromatic color combination. They are so close to each other that in some literature the achromatic combination is not even singled out as a separate category.

    Examples of monochrome color combinations

    Other materials in this category: “Ahromatic color combination Harmonic combinations of similar (related) colors”

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    • What Are Monochromatic Colors? Definition & Examples

    You can say: Well, your favorite color reminds you of your favorite place or makes you feel warm/inspired/happy.

    Are there colors that you don't like too well? Maybe yellow seems too acidic to you, and blue seems too cold and melancholy. The point is that colors have a value of and most of us have one color that really speaks to our soul.

    via GIPHY

    This one color is often repeated in the products we buy, the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the way we decorate our rooms.

    Colors can be combined in a huge number of combinations - use basic colors together (red + blue + yellow) or match complementary colors with each other (eg green + red) .

    You can also use similar colors together in the so-called similar color scheme (green + blue - green + blue) .

    You can also use just one color in a design and this is called a monochromatic color scheme.

    A monochromatic color scheme is a single color palette that includes darks or tones and a range of hues. Using such a base color scheme makes a bold statement in any design, photography, interior or other visual scene.

    Creating an image in one particular shade can be used to communicate a message or create a strong sense of order and uniformity.

    What's in this article:

    What are Monochromatic Colors? 🎨

    Let's first define what we mean by "monochromatic".

    "Monochromatic" is an adjective used to describe the use of one color - monos is Greek for "single" or "one" and khroma - "color".

    So if you describe a painting or setting as having a monochromatic color scheme, you mean that it has one hue (or color) repeated in lighter tones, darker hues, and/or more gray tones.

    To understand how this works, let's delve into color theory .

    What is Color Theory?

    Modern color theory was born when Sir Isaac Newton published his various experiments with optical prisms and the discovery that white light exists from the seven visible colors of the rainbow, or the ROYGBIV model.

    via GIPHY

    Newton is also the inventor of the color wheel we use so much in art and design.

    In the ancient world, Aristotle also shared his color theory : that all colors are rays of light sent from heaven in white or black and associated with the four elements (wind, earth, water, fire).

    Today we know that Aristotle was not so far from the truth, as Newton's optical experiments with white light proved. However, in scientific terms, color is light, propagating at different wavelengths.

    The reason we see different colors of light is because these wavelengths are visible spectrum (our eyes are sensitive to and stimulated by light of these wavelengths).

    Each individual color is subdivided into a range of wavelengths and is called a hue, or monochromatic light.

    Properties of Light

    Color theory does not end there. The polymath Johann Wolfgang von Goethe carried out his own research on color, going beyond the purely scientific ideas of Newton. Goethe argued that color is not just a physical phenomenon; it is an individualized psychological and emotional experience .

    Today, the study of the influence of colors on human experience and behavior is called color psychology.

    Goethe's poetic interpretations of each color are still used today to help artists express emotion in their work, help website and app designers create visual cues, and inspire interior designers when select color schemes for homes and offices.

    via GIPHY

    Moreover, The emotional and psychological impact of color affects every aspect of life - from the clothes we wear to the food we eat and the things we buy.

    Goethe associated colors with certain characteristics, namely: