Winter color palette ideas for your home decor

It’s frigid outside…cold wind whipping around you, your nose feeling like an ice cube, frosty white snow covering every surface. You open the front door to your home, feel the warm air on your face, and eagerly glance at a warm blanket on the other side of the room. We all want a space like this to come home to during these dark winter months. It’s a universal need to find refuge and healing in our homes during the colder, bleaker months of the year.

Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s explore ways you can achieve a warmer, more inviting space to ward off the winter blues…

Cream heated blanket. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

The typical winter decorating color palette falls into one of two categories: cool color palettes that lean into the cold season or warm color palettes that create a cozy oasis. But there are wildcards among you! You know who you are—you love energy, and nothing makes you feel better than vibrant colors during the darkness of winter. Your design preference is all about how color makes you feel, especially if you suffer from anxiety and depression. (If you’d like some background information, Benjamin Moore has some great explanations and diagrams for assessing color value and how colors may look in a finished space.) I thought it would be interesting to explore some color options for these cold winter months and see how they can be used to spruce up your post-holiday interior space…

Which design approach do you prefer? Let’s explore some options I have found…
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Warm color palette ideas

In general, colors on the red/orange spectrum are energetic, and the less saturated they are, the more relaxing and neutral the color palette will become. Neutral colors (like those on the brown or woody end of the spectrum) will feel warm and peaceful, while more vibrant reds and oranges will fill a space with energy. With that in mind, below is a list of some ideas for creating a warm color palette in your post-holiday living space…

My red and neutral throw pillows. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Keep some red holiday items out and pair them with neutrals and browns. 

If red is not your color, try a muted rust. Rust is an earthy red that can be used with a neutral color palette.

Keep some of the holiday greenery out. On the color wheel, green is in the cool range, but when paired with warm neutrals, green can add an organic element that enhances the warmth of a space. (Btw…word has it green will be trending in 2022!)

Faux greenery on dining room table. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Lean into the taupes, browns, espresso, creams, and even whites. Think hot cocoa and hygge! Use this neutral palette (maybe even leaning into Scandi design) as an opportunity for layering textiles to add visual interest.

(1 Unique Loom Rushmore Washington Runner Rug, 2 White Wood Pillar Candle Holder, 3 Cable Knit Pillow, 4 Tray Table Floor Lamp, 5 Decorative Balls for Bowls, 6 Chunky Throw)


Bring in the blushes, warm pinks, and plums. Pair these feminine colors with earthy creams, browns, and warm grays to create a cozy vibe.

Add in pops of yellow…Yes, yellow! Shades of yellow can warm up a space for winter and then be re-used once the spring decor comes out of storage.

Use gold metallics. This design approach is not only elegant and upscale, but it does add a warm glow to your space.

Cool color palette ideas

Now, let’s talk about using cool color palettes. Cool colors can have a calming effect on the mind and body, reminding us of water. If you want a relaxing, peaceful space and love the visual coldness of winter and snow, use colors like blue, white, silver, and purple. You could “warm up” the space by pairing a cool color palette with nature-inspired textures like wood, fur, wool, chunky blankets, etc. Here are some color palette ideas for those who love the cool end of the color spectrum…

Blue and cream patterned throw pillow. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Cool blues paired with warm brown. You can lean into the nature-inspired decor by combining cool blues with complimentary warm browns. The browns soften the cool blues, making your space more earthy and cozy.

(1 Chunky wood wall mirror, 2 Minka Lavery Table Lamp, 3 Neppie Cotton Throw Pillow Cover, 4 Renee Throw, 5 Wexford Home 'Morning Chorus' Gallery Wrapped Canvas Wall Art, 6 Viktor 3 Piece Sculpture Set)


A cool lavender—or lilac—combined with grey can be an elegant look for your winter interiors…

Or you could go to the darker end of the spectrum, using deep purples paired with cream and neutrals. (The more blue in the purple, the cooler the color will be. The more red, the warmer the purple will be. Take a look at a few diagrams by Just Paint for examples.)

Whites that lean more toward the cool end of the spectrum are reminiscent of snow. Lean into a white color scheme by creating layers of varying textures to create a sense of depth and even coziness in the space.

Image by Maya Kruchancova on Adobe Stock.

Blue is the coldest color on the color wheel and can be used to great effect with cool whites for an interior that embraces the winter season. Keep the palette cool, or add wood or browns to soften the look.

Image by vasanty on Adobe Stock.

White and black combo—often used on the trendy Modern Farmhouse and other modern styles—might be your go-to winter palette. It can be rustic or elegant, depending on your decor style.

Use silver and metallic items in your decor. Shiny things create sparkle, and reflective surfaces make a space feel bigger.

Cool grey—as opposed to warm grey or greige—paired with white, blue, or other cool colors can feel elegant and neutral. 

Any green on the cooler end of the spectrum (especially those with more blue undertones) can be a way to introduce a more earthy feel to a space while still embracing a cool color palette.
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Bright color palettes

I know I said most people like either warm or cool palettes in winter, but there are also those of you who love color—bold, bright, luscious colors. This design approach to a winter color palette applies saturated hues that are vivid, eye-catching, and cheerful—the ultimate defiance of winter! Here are a few color palette ideas for those who cannot live without your scrumptious colors!

Image from Pixel-Shot on Adobe Stock.

Teal and cranberry is one color combo I’ve seen mentioned a lot. It’s a color palette that feels very Bohemian to me but could be applied to any design style that embraces the pleasant contrast of these complimentary colors.

Combine complementary blue and pink colors to create another color scheme with complimentary colors.

Image by Africa Studio on Adobe Stock.

Use saturated oranges and yellows. Orange or yellow might be your go-to option for drowning out the winter blues!
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Blue and orange pattern throw pillow. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Pops of hot pinks. Hot pink can be a bit much for some people, but if you love the color and don’t want to go overboard, try using it in small doses in your accessories, like pillows and vases. 

Bright turquoise. Turquoise blue can be used to add vibrant pops of color to your curtains, vignettes, pillows, area rugs, etc.

Image by peshkova on Adobe Stock.

So, what did you think of my breakdown of the color palettes that can be used to spruce up your space after the holidays? Hopefully, you now have some inspiration for creating an inviting, cozy space for the winter months to keep you going until the arrival of the warmer spring weather.

Feel free to share in the comments your methods of finding peace and rejuvenation in your home during the grey months of the year. 



This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog.



Related blogs you may want to read: 
Eight ways to create cozy interiors after the winter decor comes down
Nine design trends for 2022 
Nine hygge decor ideas
11 interior decorating tips that help reduce anxiety and depression