What are the best color combinations for fall? 7 cozy-season-ready suggestions from designers

This article discusses the top seven fall paint color trends for 2025, emphasizing comfort, nostalgia, and sophisticated updates to classic autumnal hues. Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar, highlights the desire to create homes that nurture well-being and celebrate nostalgia, offering a modern interpretation of timeless design. The focus is on personalized spaces that provide soothing familiarity. One significant trend involves classic comforting hues, as noted by Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams. Homeowners are embracing rich, comforting colors to instill warmth and familiarity. Recommended shades include Pennywise, a deep terracotta orange; Rojo Marrón, a luxurious brown with subtle red undertones; and Sanderling, a mid-tone warm neutral with a nature-inspired feel, all by Sherwin-Williams. The article also identifies a growing preference for restorative blues and greens, reflecting an increased emphasis on wellness, mindful living, and a deeper connection to nature. Valspar's expert, Kim, points to soft greens like Sprig of Sage and Warm Eucalyptus, which draw inspiration from organic beauty and pair well with natural materials like wood, stone, and woven textures to create grounded yet elevated spaces. Warm, nature-inspired tones are another key trend, aimed at injecting coziness into homes. Interior designer and BEHR ambassador Sabrina Soto recommends shades such as clay, olive, terracotta, taupe, marigold, currant, and teal. She highlights Amber Brew, a comforting gold tone with nostalgic sun-baked undertones suitable for gathering spaces; Back to Nature, a deep olive green that complements warm woods and brass; and Terra Cotta Urn, a red-orange with cinnamon hints best balanced with creamy whites, all from Behr. Furthermore, sophisticated reds are making a comeback, updated with rich, earthy tones like Dark Auburn and Reddened Earth from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams. Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, explains that these deep burgundies and terracotta-inspired hues add warmth and personal expression without overwhelming a space, appearing modern and enduring when paired with neutrals. Elegant plum, cider, and leather hues are also trending, indicating a shift towards nuanced rich tones. Andrea Magno, director of color marketing and design at Benjamin Moore, mentions Cinnamon Slate, a mix of heathered plum and velvety brown, as their Color of the Year 2025. Cider hues like Chowning’s Tan and browns such as Leather Saddle Brown are gaining popularity for their approachable and adaptable nature. These colors can be paired with pale or deep softened greens like Rosepine, Paris Rain, or Ashwood Moss from Benjamin Moore. Seasonal earthy shades with a touch of drama are recommended to warm up spaces. Glidden paint color expert Ashley McCollum suggests Smokey Sage, Honey Graham, and Warm Mahogany for cozy vibes. For added drama, bold hues like Purple Basil and Night Rendezvous can be introduced, balanced with neutrals such as Lovely Linen or Cool Concrete. These fresh and grounded hues are suitable for accent walls or entire rooms. Finally, sanded neutrals are gaining traction for refined comfort. Banbury highlights Stucco and Nomadic Desert from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams as shades reflecting a desire for effortless elegance and quiet luxury. These warm and earthy neutrals infuse homes with softness and comfort while maintaining a refined and timeless appeal, blending seamlessly across various design styles. #FallPaintColors #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #ColorTrends #PaintTrends2025 #AutumnalHues #NeutralColors #EarthyTones #PaintSelection

As autumn arrives, bringing with it a vibrant palette of changing leaves, updating home interiors with a fresh coat of paint can infuse spaces with seasonal warmth and coziness. This guide, featuring insights from designers and color experts, presents 16 fall-inspired paint colors ranging from light neutrals to dark, moody tones, suitable for various applications from entire rooms to accent walls and cabinetry. One approach to fall decorating involves using a creamy white like Sherwin-Williams' Greek Villa as a neutral foundation. This allows for layering seasonal decor elements in rusts, coppers, and deep greens, ensuring year-round versatility. Alternatively, for a deeper, more sophisticated ambiance, Benjamin Moore's Caponata, a rich eggplant hue with warm brown undertones, can be used to color-drench a space, including walls, trim, and ceilings, or as a striking trim color paired with lighter walls. Golden yellows, such as Behr's Amber Brew, offer a cheerful and optimistic touch, ideal for accent walls or smaller areas like bathrooms or mudrooms. For a classic autumnal feel, Glidden's Sweet Spiceberry, a cinnamon-red, brings warmth and coziness. Dark, sophisticated shades are not limited to walls; Sherwin-Williams' Black Fox, a deep charcoal, provides depth and visual anchor when used on kitchen or bathroom cabinetry, contrasting beautifully with lighter elements. Olive greens, exemplified by Benjamin Moore's Dark Olive, offer an elegantly cozy atmosphere suitable for both modern and traditional interiors, allowing warmer fall shades to stand out. Brownish-reds, such as Sherwin-Williams' Fireweed, a rust and brown-toned red, bring earthy warmth and are forecast to be popular in 2024, pairing well with neutrals. For a transitional color to fall, Benjamin Moore's Nantucket Gray, a warm gray-green with cooler undertones, evokes a seasonal fog and is recommended for bedrooms, especially when applied with a semi-gloss finish to reflect light. Rich jewel tones like Glidden's Purple Basil, a deep plum, create a warm and cozy atmosphere, making a bold statement on cabinetry or in family rooms. Deep blues, such as Benjamin Moore's Midnight, offer color saturation without overwhelming a space, creating a cozy and timeless design when layered with antique brass and dark wood accents. Terracotta oranges, like Farrow & Ball's Red Earth, deliver warmth and are particularly effective in west-facing bedrooms where they can glow in the evening light. Bold purples, like Farrow & Ball's Brinjal, an intense eggplant, add understated luxury to kitchen cabinetry or utility spaces like mudrooms when applied to all surfaces. For a subtler approach, Sherwin-Williams' Chinchilla, a soft purplish-gray, provides warmth and versatility, blending well with neutral palettes. Rich burgundies, such as Behr's Rumors, bring sophistication to dining rooms or mudrooms, creating a seamless transition from indoors to the autumnal outdoors. Navy blue, specifically Sherwin-Williams' Naval, is a timeless choice that can be brightened with complementary soft finishes and layered with fall-inspired brass, rusty reds, and fiery oranges for contrast and warmth. Finally, bright reds, like Benjamin Moore's Smoldering Red, offer a striking visual appeal inspired by vibrant foliage and are practical for high-traffic areas due to their ability to hide dirt. These diverse color options collectively provide homeowners with inspiration to embrace the beauty of autumn within their living spaces. #FallPaintColors #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #PaintTrends #SeasonalDecorating #ColorPalettes #HomeRenovation #DIYHome

The transition into fall presents an opportunity to infuse homes with a warm, cozy ambiance that reflects the season's natural beauty. Charleston designers and realtors offer practical advice on how to achieve this through thoughtful decor choices, drawing inspiration from the vibrant fall colors found in nature. Wendy Mauro, owner of Wendy Mauro Design, emphasizes incorporating rich plum, burnt orange, burgundy, and brighter red hues into home decor, mirroring the Charleston sunsets. This approach suggests that if a color palette exists in nature, it is suitable for an indoor setting. Beyond visual aesthetics, the article highlights the importance of engaging all senses in fall decor. Mary Welch Fox, owner of Mary Welch Fox Design, identifies traditional fall colors as warm browns, rust, taupes, oranges, and deep oranges, akin to changing leaves. Mauro suggests that the autumnal feeling can be evoked through sensory elements such as pumpkin or apple-scented candles, or the tactile comfort of heavier rugs and blankets. While switching out large textiles like draperies and wallpaper might be impractical for many, accessories offer an easier way to incorporate seasonal changes. This includes gravitating towards earth tones like burgundy, mustard, and darker greens and browns, and opting for heavier materials like velvet pillows instead of linen, which adds a weighted, fall-appropriate texture. For interior decoration, Fox recommends simple yet effective strategies such as arranging a variety of pumpkins, squash, and even eggplants in a wooden bowl for tabletop decor. Seasonal leaves or plants can replace current vase arrangements, and seasonal fruits can adorn kitchen counters. Ann Chandler of AC DesignWorks broadens the scope of fall colors beyond traditional gourds and fallen leaves, pointing to beautiful fall blooms in lavender, deep purple, golds, oranges, and reds for window boxes and hanging baskets. Morgan Patin, creative director of Riverside Designers, Inc., advises layering textures such as chunky knits, velvet, wool, or cashmere throws and pillows on sofas and chairs to enhance comfort. She also suggests integrating natural materials like wood accessories and woven baskets for added dimension. Patin further emphasizes that warmth, a hallmark of fall, can be reflected through fresh greenery and florals like eucalyptus and magnolia branches, which offer timeless texture. Decorating the exterior of a home is equally important for embracing the fall season. Mauro recommends starting with a fall welcome mat and adding autumnal leaves in a vase on a foyer table. Fox advises treating the front entryway as a canvas, filling planters with fall foliage, and updating outdoor decorative pillows to fall-centric designs. Chandler notes the abundance of dried palm leaves in the Charleston region as a unique, local element for both interior and exterior arrangements. For those needing assistance with landscaping, professional gardeners can help incorporate seasonal changes. Jacqui Rosshandler of Maison Real Estate shares how their local landscaping company swaps summer styles for orange and dark green foliage with hints of red, making the entire home feel seasonal. Sellers in the fall market need to approach seasonal decor strategically. Kendra Calore, a Realtor with Akers Ellis, advises against decorating until listing photos are complete, as fall decor can quickly become outdated. For showings, however, tasteful fall decor, such as pillows and arrangements of dry grass, eucalyptus, and mums, can make a space feel homey, both indoors and outdoors. Ellen Leigh Murray, broker and owner of Charleston Premier Properties, stresses the importance of curb appeal, recommending that lawns be cleared of leaves and debris. She also cautions against overly festive decorations like Halloween items, advocating for neutral and tasteful decor. Murray shares an anecdote about a seller whose son's bedroom was decorated with horror film posters, illustrating the need to keep decor appealing to a broad range of buyers. She emphasizes maintaining a light and bright ambiance, especially in the Lowcountry's naturally well-lit fall, and suggests avoiding pumpkins on front porches if a home is actively being shown. She reinforces the importance of neutral interior decor. Finally, the article encourages budget-friendly decorating. Mauro suggests exploring consignment and vintage shops for unique, affordable pieces that add personality. Murray recommends Hyams Garden Center on James Island for plants and greenery to brighten new homes. Ultimately, decorating for fall is a personal expression, and individuals should prioritize choices that bring them joy and reflect their personal appreciation for the season. #FallDecor #HomeDesign #SeasonalDecor #InteriorDesign #CharlestonDesigners #RealEstateTips #CozyVibes #TextureLayering #AutumnalColors

Choosing an effective color scheme is often one of the most challenging aspects of interior design. Whether the goal is to create a dramatic, simple, or balanced space, selecting colors that complement each other can be daunting. This article provides seven designer-approved color combinations that consistently produce aesthetically pleasing results. For a tranquil atmosphere, interior designer Becca Stern suggests pairing ocean blue and sage green. These colors, with their soft grey undertones and gentle hues, offer a subtle yet invigorating effect, suitable for a coastal-inspired look or to incorporate natural elements indoors. This combination can also be adapted to create a whimsical aesthetic by using pastel shades like blush, butter, and lilac. To achieve a sophisticated ambiance, olive green and navy blue are recommended. Stern notes that these rich, deep colors evoke a sense of luxuriousness. Olive green provides earthy, grounding tones, while navy blue introduces vibrant marine elements, together enhancing nature's inherent beauty within a space. Interior designer Sarah Latham highlights the combination of burgundy red and camel brown for a fashion-forward interior design. This pairing is gaining traction not only in home decor but also in fashion trends. Burgundy, in particular, is currently popular, offering an elevated and luxurious feel that encourages experimental use in various design contexts. For a space that is both bold and refined, purple and gold are an excellent choice, especially when incorporating textured textiles. This could involve placing gold-toned throws or pillows on a purple velvet or chenille sofa, or using gold-toned wallpaper or accent fixtures in a bedroom with purple bedding to create a regal appearance. Pink and red form a powerful and lively combination, suitable for both children's rooms and adult spaces. This pairing can introduce significant drama, such as pink walls complemented by a red sofa. Alternatively, a pink rug under a velvet sofa or pink and red striped wallpaper can achieve an opulent effect, offering endless creative possibilities. Finally, black and white is presented as a simple yet timeless combination that always works. Whether it's white walls with black molding, a white sofa with black pillows, or patterns like black and white cabana stripes, this duo is versatile and easy to integrate into any room design. For those seeking simplicity and reliability in color choices, black and white remains a classic option. #ColorCombinations #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #DesignerTips #ColorSchemes #DecoratingIdeas #HomeStyling