Decorating Choosing Color Color Schemes for Decorating 27 Nature-Inspired Color Palettes for a Calm, Beautiful Home By Ann Wilson Ann Wilson Ann Wilson is a leading expert on home design and remodeling. She has over five years’ experience discussing all-things remodeling, color designs, and flooring ideas to help readers make the best design choices. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Instagram Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on September 2, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Adam Albright The lush forests, rocky deserts, bright flowers, and fiery sunsets found in nature are gorgeous color inspiration. Channel the calm and beauty of the outdoors into interior color schemes that take their cues from nature. These palettes combine fresh greens, watery blues, warm earth tones, and more, to create beautiful nature-inspired color schemes. 01 of 27 Organic Green Color Scheme Adam Albright Eucalyptus leaves are a soft, blue-green shade that's both sophisticated and inviting. This nature-inspired color palette showcases the various possible tints, ranging from pale, almost-white to deep gray-greens. Look for green paint colors with cool gray undertones for a crisp, organic look. 02 of 27 Sage Green Kitchen James Nathan Schroder Nature inspired this kitchen's soft sage-green cabinetry, which pairs with wood countertops for a grounding effect, while white walls and open shelves deliver an airy balance. A nubby jute rug and exposed wood beams provide texture from above and below. 03 of 27 Nutty Brown Color Palette Carson Downing Shades of brown ranging from almond to chestnut create cozy natural color schemes. Decorating with multiple browns in the same temperature, but with different undertones, creates a soothing layered look. Look for hints of yellow, red, or blue to provide subtle contrast across different design elements. 04 of 27 Cozy Earth-Tone Living Room John Bessler Honey-hued wood floors, dark wood beams, and a statement-making stone fireplace create a solid neutral foundation in this living room. A sunny yellow accent chair and throw pillows lighten up a color scheme otherwise defined by browns and taupes. Warm white walls provide a clean balance to the room's earth tones. 05 of 27 Garden-Fresh Color Palette Adam Albright Inspired by trips through flowerbeds, vegetable plots, and produce aisles, this yellow-tinted green palette makes each day feel like spring. The green of Granny Smith apples takes on the starring role. Supporting players include pea pods, celery, lemon, and kiwi. Bright whites, seen here as tulip petals, round out the fresh-picked palette. 06 of 27 Bright Green Palette Edmund Barr Neutral walls and white bedding allow vibrant green to take center stage. Strategically introduced through the artwork and patterned pillows, yellow-toned greens work with coral and teal accents to take the chill off the room's bright white perimeter. The energetic colors evoke springtime blooms and crisp green leaves. 07 of 27 Watery Blue Color Scheme Greg Scheidemann The soothing shades of ocean waves shift from green to blue depending on the weather and changing light. Similar color variations arise in this green-tinted palette of blues, combining turquoise, aqua, teal, azure, and baby blue. The blue paint colors all work together, thanks to their gray undertones. 08 of 27 Ocean-Inspired Room Michael Garland Sea and sky colors meld beautifully in this space that doubles as a nursery and a sitting room. A grass-cloth wallcovering weaves together rich navy, soft cornflower, and turquoise to establish the palette. The baby blue sofa and chevrons in the area rug introduce upbeat rhythms. Ocean artworks rendered in deep-sea hues supply some drama. White woodwork, frames, and accessories keep the look buoyant and breezy. 09 of 27 Best Ways to Incorporate Blue Blue is a perennial favorite for nature-inspired color schemes. Shades range from pale sky-blue to the inky indigo of twilight. Use these smart decorating tricks to ensure this classic color looks fresh and fun in your rooms. 10 of 27 Warm Brown and Green Color Scheme Adam Albright Natural environments produce distinctive color schemes, including this palette that features coffee-bean brown. Putty gray and creamy white supply cooler counterpoints to the brown, while yellow, citron, and leafy green bring warmth. The earth-toned palette evokes images of sunbeams, tropical blooms, and verdant growth. 11 of 27 Rich Earth Tones Scott Little Deep brown walls envelop this study in coziness. Golden wood finishes, a throw splashed with copper, and a bronze side table blend forest-harvested hues and textures. White woodwork, an upholstered chair, and a cowhide rug pop against the room's dark surfaces, and yellowish-green foliage and flowers give the room a refreshing lift. 12 of 27 Tropical Color Scheme Greg Scheidemann Sea creatures, tropical fruits, and breaking waves inspire this pumped-up palette. Pale, mid-tone, and saturated oranges combine with complementary blues to fashion high-impact designs. Shades–including shrimp, papaya, tangerine, coral, and blood orange—add refreshing zing. 13 of 27 Citrusy Color Palette David Tsay Sky-blue walls and accents make the orange tones in this dining room pop. Bright papaya appears on a painted buffet and in the color-blocked wall art, while other citrusy tones, including lemon and lime green, brighten up the table setting. Plenty of white on the table, chairs, area rug, and trim balance the bold tropical hues. 14 of 27 Lush Green Color Palette Marty Baldwin Greens found in forests, orchards, and terrariums play well together in designs ranging from contemporary to cottage. This palette combines yellowish greens and cooler ones with blue and dusty undertones. Olive, turquoise, aloe, clover, and citron create a lush palette that pairs well with earth tones, like stone gray and driftwood. 15 of 27 Olive Color Scheme Kim Cornelison Various shades of olive supply luxurious color in this living room. The darkest version appears on the painted fireplace surround, while accent furniture and throw pillows layer in added nature-inspired shades. Bright white walls combine with small doses of charcoal gray and black for a modern, earthy mix. 16 of 27 Earth-Tone Palette Adam Albright Terra-cotta, putty, khaki, taupe, and amber evoke images of rocky landscapes, prehistoric finds, and sandy deserts. Ranging from light to dark, these earth tones quietly add dimension to rooms meant for relaxing. Mix in deeper reds and wood tones for more richness and depth. 17 of 27 Warm Neutral Color Scheme Ann VanderWiel Wilde Soft khaki walls lend this neutral dining nook a warm, inviting air. Variations of earth tones repeat across the banquette fabric, the flooring, and trim. A pair of wood chairs delivers textural contrast, while darker shades on the table and light fixture add definition. 18 of 27 Stone Gray and Brown Color Palette Adam Albright This stone-toned palette starts off cool with charcoal and ash grays. Reddish undertones heat up the cocoa brown, cream, and khaki hues to create a perfectly balanced mix of warm and cool. Try this palette in rooms outfitted in cabinets, flooring, and furniture stained in warm naturals. 19 of 27 Refined Neutral Dining Room Laura Moss Furniture stained in browns and a woven khaki area rug provide warm counterpoints to this dining room's ash-gray walls. Charcoal-gray fabrics on the armchairs take on a bluish cast that subtly reflects the blue in the nearby draperies. Shimmering mirrors contribute yet another shade of gray. 20 of 27 Flower-Inspired Color Scheme Kim Cornelison Composed of purples with both red and blue tints, this nature-inspired color scheme combines a flower's most vivid hues with its softest tones. The pleasing palette includes a fresh mix of fuchsia, orchid, hibiscus, mauve, and magenta. Apply these floral shades in bedrooms or living areas to cultivate distinctive designs. 21 of 27 Orchid Color Scheme David Tsay This mostly neutral bedroom presents dusty and crisp purples in multiple ways. Deep orchid makes a splash as patterned and solid pillow shams. Paler purple appears in a downy comforter. A magenta throw and mauve accessories keep the eye moving throughout the space. 22 of 27 Sunshine Colors Kim Cornelison Yellow shades of straw, cream, egg yolk, banana, and butter send out sunny energy in this nature-inspired palette, which is perfect for brightening kitchens and work spaces. The lively hues can also create bedrooms and bathrooms that issue cheery wake-up calls. Pair vibrant yellows with chocolatey browns to temper the warmth. 23 of 27 Goldenrod Yellow Bedroom Michael Partenio Straw yellow, which appears in the wallpaper, painted walls, and drapery fabric, provides a fine foundation for more vivacious yellows that amplify this bedroom's appeal. A banana-yellow comforter and pillow shams step back to allow brown and orange throw pillows and a marigold blanket to shine. A patterned area rug pulls together the varying shades of yellow with high impact. 24 of 27 Greige Color Combinations Greg Scheidemann This nature-inspired color palette revolves around the popular neutral greige, pictured at top. Depending on the light, or the companion colors, greige can read as gray or beige, making it a versatile hue that works with both stone and wood tones. Here, it partners with pearl gray, khaki, putty, and steel gray to fashion a light-and-shadow palette suited for peaceful retreats in a wide range of decorating styles. 25 of 27 Understated Greige Bedroom Annie Schlechter White wainscoting and trim highlight this room's light greige walls and window shades. Steely grays stand out as a woven basket and a solid-color lampshade, while lighter gray linens soften the bed and a putty-hued cowhide rug warms the floor. Note how well the greige backdrop works with ebony floors and wood furniture's stained finishes. 26 of 27 Herbal Color Scheme Greg Scheidemann When tossed together, spearmint, putty, aloe, true mint, and white generate a well-rounded green color scheme inspired by herbs. Tinted with blue, the refreshing green shades read as cool, bright, and fashionable. Juxtapose these crisp colors with natural textures and wood finishes. 27 of 27 Mint Green Living Room Greg Scheidemann Minty greens, whether light or dark in tone, are flexible hues that act as neutrals, yet demand attention. Here, mint walls handily showcase neutral furniture, a sleek fireplace, and silver, glass, and gold accessories. A navy throw and turquoise accents on the mantel pick up on the wall color's blue undertones. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit