35 Winter Color Schemes That Will Warm Up Any Room
Seasonal shades with perennial style.
Baby, it’s cold outside. But inside, we're as cozy as ever, thanks to these winter-inspired color palettes that designers are loving this year. From icy blues to snowy whites to cozy creams (and the more brazenly appointed iron reds), these wintertide colorways are the perfect impetus to embrace the snowy season (whether or not it’s actually snowing or, for that matter, even winter). Go full-on arctic tundra with an assortment of frosty hues, or create a homey winter respite with shades to envelop your home in warmth. But no matter your look of choice, we guarantee you won’t be wishing for spring. To help us nail down the formula for a perfect winter palette, we asked our favorite interior designers to share their top shades of the season. Read on for 35 winter color scheme ideas to invite into your home this year.
Royal Blue and Orange
“The moody jewel tones of this bedroom pair well with an overcast winter day, while the warm accents add a necessary contrast that allow them to coexist harmoniously.” —Le Whit
Ivory and Black
“In the colder seasons, I am always drawn to rooms wrapped in warm whites. We love to layer snowy colors with rich wood tones and patinated metals. Creamy neutrals of ivory and oatmeal in highly textural materials provide a calm sense of warmth.” —Augusta Hoffman
Pink, Terra-Cotta, and Gray
“When I choose a palette, it tends to be less about the color and more about the tone.” For instance, this kitchen has only north-facing light, which means the room stays dim and cool, an ideal setting for bolder shades. A hot pink and deep gray infuse the kitchen with much needed energy.” —Eric Allart
Teal and Rust
“The mohair accent on the headboard creates a warm, inviting feel in the room, and the dark hue of the paint envelops you and creates a cocoonlike environment, soothing for winter.” —Frances Merrill, Reath Design
Blue and Gold
“Rich, deep blues lend a cosseting feel to interiors, making for rooms in which you want to curl up and nestle. Adding a touch of sparkle with brass or gold tones provides some beautiful contrast and an extra touch of warmth.” —Frank Webb, White Webb
Yellow, Sky Blue, and Brown
“It is unusually cold in London this month, and we all long to stay under the covers a little longer than we should. The bedroom walls in the turquoise and chocolate brown floral immediately provide a cozy backdrop against the crisp white bed linen perfect for lie-ins.” —Veere Grenney
Brick Red
“I always think of this room as tangerine, but in reality the walls are almost the color of pomegranates, and pomegranates are so evocative of winter and to cozy up and hunker down for the festive season.” —Veere Grenney
Mustard, Brown, and Gray
“The selected contemporary fixtures in my bedroom provide contrast and dialogue against the historical nature of the Future Perfect’s Los Angeles location and the Goldwyn House, which meld together warm tones and gentle dark colors. Painted in a custom brown, the room includes furnishings both vintage and from the Future Perfect as well as my personal collection, creating a cohesive, muted palette.” —David Alhadeff, founder, the Future Perfect
Kelly Green and Tan
“A rich, vibrant green represents the happiness that we all crave during the long, often dark days of winter. When paired with materials like brass, it adds a sense of decadence and coziness. I would dress the “lady of the house” with a bunch of black swan peonies to give the nook a little more warmth and drama and of course draw the shades.” —Elizabeth Young
Burgundy and Blue
The window seat is a cozy place to nestle up with a blanket and enjoy the sunshine on a winter afternoon. The floral surround allows you to dream of summer.” —Frances Merrill, Reath Design
Turquoise and Yellow
“I am seeing a strong desire with colors that lean into big joy and mentally uplift you. The rich depth of jewel tones in silvery blue and warm ocher offer a brightness to spaces while still feeling very warm. These tones have a lushness to them that feel alluring and grounding at the same time.” —Tiffany Howell, Night Palm
Lavender and Burgundy
“A winter palette is always subjective based on the geography, but these colors work perfectly for a place that gets a lot of dark, gray days. Combining rich, warm tones (like this burgundy) with lighter pastel tones (such as the blue and lilac) feels energetic and fresh, while also offering that warmth we crave in the cooler months.” —Ben Leavitt, creative director, PlaidFox Studio
Black with Warm Fabrics
“Black is a bold but classic choice for winter decorating. Paired with warm fabrics like furs and velvets, a black room can create a luxurious retreat where you won’t feel bad hibernating (and binge-watching Netflix) until spring.” —Shelby Girard
Icy Blue Mix
“We wrapped this library in plaster and used Benjamin Moore’s Harbor Fog on the walls and ceiling for an icy blue effect. Then we layered in snowy white accents and varying shades of blue in the upholstery, draperies, and rug. The mix makes for a crisp, cool wintry palette, while the gold light fixture and banquette pulls add touches of warmth to the room.” —Caroline Rafferty
Smoky Purple and Neutrals
“Winter is a fitting time to embrace cooler hues, and this one is a beauty. But when it comes to purple, there’s a fine line between opulent and garish. Opt for a shade with the right amount of gray, like this one, that reads smoky and beautiful; it’s the color you experience just as the sky goes black. Layering in neutrals helps keep the space feeling fresh, warm, and welcoming.” —Marcus Mohon
Earthy Texture and Warm Metal Tones
“Nothing builds warmth on a cold winter day than cozying up to a space like this with a piping hot bowl of ramen. Inspired by my time spent living and working in Japan, this sumptuous bedroom retreat embraces a tonal palette of earthy textures and warm metal tones powerful enough to stave off any chill.” —Ben Johnston
Chocolate Brown, Cinnamon, and Tan
“The start of the colder season reminds me of warm colors, chocolate browns, cinnamon, and tan-like tones. These colors have a sense of richness as well as homeyness and coziness, which happen to also be important aspects of WeWork’s interior design ethos. In Dutch we have a special word for this: gezellig, similar to the Danish word hygge.” —Lotte van Velzen
Dark Blue-Greens
“If you’re a color-lover, dark blue green is a great hue that can bring some life to your space without feeling too spring-like. Blues and greens are colors that are known to have a relaxing, calming effect, so this dark blend is suited to provide comfort and coziness in even the coldest months.” —Shelby Girard
Creamy Tones and Metallic Accents
“I don’t subscribe to 'no white after Labor Day'—when it comes to jeans or decor. Winter white is the height of cozy. White with rich creamy tones, grays, and metallic accents is irresistible. Layering texture in a monochromatic scheme is a key element to creating warmth and interest.” —Anne Hepfer
Warm Wood, Dark Walls, and Punctuated Color
“Working with rich dark wall colors means finding emphasis on contrast especially with the supporting color tones and textures. These matte finished black walls draw in the light and truly create a warm feeling in the space. Crisp white trim has a purpose—highlighting the architectural details while also establishing a timeless foundation for the design. The table and bench add warmth giving contrast to the saturated walls in a way only rustic wood can. Warm wood accessories and sheepskin throw continue to add juxtaposition and lots of cozy texture. Layering in plants add in a fresh punctuation of color and bring life into the design.” —Sarah Ramirez
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful's Digital Editor, writing in-depth home renovation cost guides, design inspiration stories, and plant care guides. With over five years of experience writing commerce and search-optimized content for brands like Domino, Real Simple, and Architectural Digest’s Clever, Kate has developed a passion for uncovering the personal stories that often lie behind the inspiration for people’s spaces. She previously worked as the assistant market editor at ELLE Decor where she identified top products and brands in the industry and interviewed emerging designers about their thoughts on the latest interior design trends. Kate holds a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University. When not researching the specificities of begonia plant care, you can find Kate scouring vintage markets for the ideal wrought-iron chair, knitting yet another cardigan, or reading historical nonfiction.
Lucia Tonelli is an Assistant Editor at Town & Country, where she writes about the royal family, culture, real estate, design, and more.
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