How to Choose the Right Colour Palette for Your Home Renovation

Renovating your home is the perfect chance to refresh its style and energy—and one of the most powerful tools you have is colour. The right paint palette doesn’t just improve the look of a room, it changes the way it feels. Whether you're revamping a single space or the entire house, choosing the right colours can make or break your renovation as color is one of the most important design elements in any renovation. In this guide, you’ll learn how to pick the perfect color palette to complement your home’s new layout, lighting, and mood.

For today’s article, we’ll walk you through how to choose a cohesive colour scheme, practical tips for selecting paint, and design ideas that match both your personal style and your home’s architecture.

Why Your Colour Palette Matters

Paint is often the first thing people notice in a room—and the thing they remember. It influences:

• Mood (calm, energetic, cosy, bright)

• Perceived size and height

• Light reflection

• Harmony between rooms

• How your furniture, flooring, and decor appear

A strong, well-thought-out colour palette creates a sense of flow and unity throughout your home.

Step-by-Step: How to Choose a Colour Palette for Your Home Renovation

1. Start With Your Fixed Elements

Before falling in love with a colour swatch, look at what’s already staying in your home or what you’ve already chosen in the renovation:

• Flooring (timber, tiles, carpet)

• Kitchen units or countertops

• Stone or brickwork

• Large furniture pieces (sofa, built-ins)

• Existing trim or window frames

These fixed elements have undertones—warm (yellow/red) or cool (blue/grey). Your wall colours should complement those tones.

2. Pick a Base Neutral

Most modern homes start with a neutral foundation—a soft colour that forms the backdrop for most walls. Popular choices include:

• Warm whites (good for Irish light)

• Greige (grey-beige) for versatility

• Taupe for a warm, earthy base

• Soft grey for a cooler, contemporary feel

Think of this as your home’s anchor colour. Other colours will branch from it.

3. Choose One or Two Accent Colours

Accent colours bring personality. They’re used for:

• Feature walls

• Trim and doors

• Furniture or cabinets

• Decorative elements

Accent colours should contrast or complement your base, depending on your style.

Pairing ideas:

• Greige walls + navy or forest green accents

• Warm white walls + olive or mustard tones

• Pale grey + black and burnt orange

4. Stick to a Cohesive Palette

Choose 4–6 colours (including neutrals and accents) and repeat them throughout your home in varying ways.

The 60-30-10 Rule can help:

60% dominant colour (walls or large furniture)

30% secondary colour (textiles, curtains)

10% accent colour (art, decor, cushions)

This keeps your colour palette consistent but not monotonous.

Paint Colour Ideas for Irish Homes (Climate-Smart Picks)

Ireland’s soft, often grey light can make some colours look dull or cold. These colour types work particularly well:

• Warm whites (like ivory, antique white, or soft cream)

• Muted greens (sage, olive, eucalyptus)

• Dusty blues (for contrast without feeling cold)

• Rich earth tones (ochre, rust, clay) for cosy interiors

• Deep navy or charcoal for dramatic accents

Avoid overly cool or stark whites—especially in naturally dark rooms.

Popular Paint Brands & Colour Ranges (Ireland)

• Dulux Easycare – Great for high-traffic areas; washable and wide colour range

• Fleetwood Prestige – High-end colour matching with designer tones

• Farrow & Ball – Deep, historical colours with soft matt finishes

• Colourtrend – Irish-made with rich, climate-adapted hues

• Little Greene – Durable, elegant tones for traditional or modern homes

Tips for Sampling and Testing Paint

• Buy testers – Don’t rely on online swatches or brochures.

• Paint large sample patches – At least A4 size, and in multiple locations around the room.

• View at different times of day – Natural and artificial light drastically change how colours appear.

• Compare against trim and floors – Don’t isolate your samples.

Pro Tip: Use sample boards or lining paper so you’re not repainting directly on the wall during testing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing colours without considering lighting

• Ignoring undertones (especially in whites and greys)

• Using different colours in every room with no flow

• Forgetting the ceiling—it doesn’t always have to be white

• Rushing—give yourself time to test, rethink, and adjust

Design Ideas Worth Considering

If you're stuck, here are some design-forward palettes gaining traction in 2025:

Nature-Inspired

Sage green + clay + warm white

Coastal Calm

Dusty blue + driftwood beige + crisp white

Urban Luxe

Charcoal + brass + deep green or navy

Warm Minimalist

Greige + terracotta + soft peach or cream

These themes offer structure while still giving you freedom to customise.

Final Thought

Choosing the right colour palette isn’t just a visual decision—it’s emotional and functional too. Get it right, and your home will feel more cohesive, more personal, and more enjoyable to live in every single day. Take your time. Test. Adjust. And most importantly—choose colours that feel right for you.

Need help planning colour and paint for your renovation? At Painter Adam, we combine expert painting services with real design insight. Contact us today for a free quote for your next project. We help Irish homeowners create homes they love—one colour at a time!