Elevate the allure of any living space with proven color strategies that go beyond the ordinary. This article distills the wisdom of industry leaders to help incorporate hues that transform a home into a luxurious haven. Discover combinations that create elegance, warmth, and sophistication, as recommended by design connoisseurs.
- Incorporate Black for Timeless Elegance
- Use Rich Colors for Royal Feel
- Apply Complex Neutrals Carefully
- Balance Jewel Tones with Warm Neutrals
- Layer Colors for Depth and Sophistication
Incorporate Black for Timeless Elegance
One of our favorite ways to achieve luxury in our home is by incorporating black. A room has no soul without a little bit of black-it has a magical touch that instantly elevates the space. We particularly love a black and white color scheme because of its timeless elegance and versatility.
For instance, in our home, we’ve embraced a black and white aesthetic in the kitchen and bedroom. Our white walls with black accents offer a more refined look. To keep the space from feeling too cold, we added a little bit of greenery, like olive trees or orchids as an accent, which softened the overall feel of the room.
Another luxurious combination I adore is black with creamy neutrals. This pairing brings warmth and sophistication while also maintaining a high-end feel. Whether it’s black walls with light upholstery or a creamy white backdrop with black statement pieces, this contrast creates a sense of timeless elegance.
Jeremy Morgan
Brand President, Groovy Hues Painting
Use Rich Colors for Royal Feel
Color psychology is huge here. The key for a luxurious feel is color saturation—specifically adding color shades (black added) to a space. These colors appear very rich, elegant and make us feel grounded and expansive. For example, rich purples, blues, and greens along with accents of gold are a beautiful combination. They have a history of being tied to royal families and create feelings of richness, calm, and stability.
I remember creating a living space for a rock and roll musician. He wanted it to feel luxurious, give a nod to his history and have visitors admire the space. We chose a deeply shaded blue, a black floor, and artwork filled with rich shades of purples, blues, and greens. It looked stunning—especially with his guitar collection hung specifically on each wall to frame the artwork. 10 years later and it still looks fantastic and he loves it!
Michelle Lewis
Color Psychology Expert, The Color Institute
Apply Complex Neutrals Carefully
This answer is no surprise, but neutrals are always sleek and luxurious, and pretty timeless. But they must be applied carefully and with intention. The colors should be complex, rich, changing. There are cheap neutrals out there—they’re flat, cold, lifeless, and they’ll make your home look like a hospital. But a complex, warm shade of gray together with intense black can be magnificent. Stark white with rich black creates a strong contrast that looks luxurious and fantastic in any space, but particularly large, common spaces such as living rooms. If you’re going to use stronger colors, don’t go for the tired “pop of color” route. Instead, choose dark, deep, rich shades of green, russet, wine, brown—in luxurious materials like high-quality wood or velvet, you cannot go wrong.
Rick Berres
Owner, Honey-Doers
Balance Jewel Tones with Warm Neutrals
Color plays a huge role in creating a sense of luxury in a home. For an elegant and inviting feel, I love using deep jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue, balanced with warm neutrals like cream or soft beige. In my living room, I incorporated rich navy blue walls with gold accents to create a sophisticated yet cozy atmosphere.
Dwell Brightly
Home Improvement Blogger, DwellBrightly
Layer Colors for Depth and Sophistication
I pay close attention to layering colors and creating depth. One of my favorite combinations is a rich navy blue paired with soft ivory. The navy adds a bold sophistication while the ivory lightens the space, making it feel more open. I often add gold accents, like cabinet handles or light fixtures, to enhance that luxurious feel.
I also love using muted jewel tones, deep teal or burgundy, alongside warm neutrals. It creates a cozy yet opulent atmosphere. Balancing these colors throughout the kitchen on cabinets, walls, and decor ensures the space feels cohesive and luxurious.
Josh Qian
COO and Co-Founder, Best Online Cabinets
