When decorating your home, choosing a color palette is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Color is the first thing you see when you walk into a room, and it can have a major impact on the mood and feel of the space.

But picking the right color scheme can feel like a guessing game. You may love red and pink shades for clothing and accessories, but that doesn’t mean those are the right colors for your walls.

There are lots of factors to consider when choosing a color palette, including the size and dimensions of the space, how much natural light it gets, and the color and pattern of the flooring. Once paint goes up, changing it can be a time-consuming and expensive process. So, it’s worth taking the time to choose carefully.

The base color you choose for your walls will act as a canvas for other décor elements, like furniture, throw rugs, and bathroom mirror frames.

Monochrome color palettes use layers of the same color—blue, gray, or green, for example—to create a cohesive, layered look. Monochrome schemes are still going strong in 2024, thanks to their simple approach. But there are lots of other options, which we’ll explore ahead.

Scroll down for tips on how to choose a color palette for your home decorating project.