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Colour Selection for Homes, Kitchens & Bathrooms

Colour defines how your home feels and functions—get it right, and your space flows beautifully. Need expert guidance? Let’s create the perfect palette today.

Choosing the Right Colours for Your Home, Kitchen & Bathroom

Colour isn’t just decoration—it’s mood, energy, and perception. The right palette can make a space feel open and inviting or intimate and sophisticated. The wrong choice? It can leave a room feeling disjointed, dull, or visually overwhelming. When you choose a colour, you are choosing how a space makes you feel every day.
At Nouvelle, we cut through the confusion to help you choose colours that work with your space, natural light, and style. Whether you want a timeless, neutral base or a bold, expressive statement, we help you strike the perfect balance.

Neutral vs. Vivid: Which Works Best for Your Home?

The right colour scheme should flow effortlessly throughout your home—each room complementing the next rather than clashing. Too many competing colours? The space feels chaotic. Too much of one shade? It can feel flat. Here’s how to get it right:

Neutral Tones: Timeless & Versatile

Soft whites, warm creams, subtle greys, and earthy browns create an effortless foundation for any space. A neutral palette:
  • Makes rooms feel larger and more cohesive
  • Pairs beautifully with natural materials like stone, timber, and marble
  • Allows you to add pops of colour through décor—a bold red kettle in the kitchen, patterned bathroom towels, or a feature wall
Ideal for: Timeless elegance, resale value, creating a calm atmosphere

Vivid Colours: Bold & Expressive

Not afraid of colour? Deep greens, vibrant blues, striking reds, and warm mustards inject personality and energy into any space. The key is balance—too many bold hues can feel overwhelming. Sensational colour choices can:
  • Energise a kitchen—deep blue cabinetry, warm brass accents, or a rich emerald island bench
  • Add warmth to bathrooms—earthy terracotta tiles or a statement pink vanity
  • Create focal points—contrast dark hues with lighter backdrops to make features pop
Ideal for: Statement interiors, mood-boosting design, breaking away from generic styles

Another important factor to consider is how much natural light you receive in specific rooms – this can help set up the most appropriate colour palette.

We know it’s easy to get lost in colour options, nuances, or combinations, but rest assured that at Nouvelle you will find a professional partner to guide you to make the right choice in terms of colours that fit your home, style and personality.

Light vs. Dark: The Art of Balance

The interplay between light and dark tones is one of the most powerful design tools. Too much light? The space can feel cold and clinical. Too much darkness? It can feel heavy and enclosed. Here’s how to master it:

Lighter Colours: Open & Airy

Soft, reflective hues like crisp whites, pale greys, and pastels create a sense of openness and expand the perception of space. Light colours:
  • Make rooms feel bigger—perfect for compact kitchens and small bathrooms
  • Enhance natural light—best for homes with limited sunlight
  • Create a fresh, timeless look—think white-washed walls, soft taupes, and subtle greys
Ideal for: Brightening spaces, creating an open-plan feel, small rooms

Darker Colours: Depth & Drama

Rich, moody tones like deep greens, navy blues,blacks, and charcoal greys add sophistication and contrast. When used strategically, they create a bold, luxurious effect. Darker tones: Add warmth & sophistication—deep greens, navy blues, and charcoal greys create a luxe feel
  • Help disguise flaws—great for camouflaging imperfections in walls or structural pillars
  • Make a bold statement—contrast deep tones with light backgrounds for high impact
  • Best for: Larger rooms, moody atmospheres, high-contrast designs
Pro Tip: Natural light drastically changes how colours appear. A soft beige in daylight might look washed out at night, while a deep blue might appear almost black in low light. Before committing, test swatches in different lighting conditions.

Feeling Overwhelmed? We’ll Guide You to the Perfect Palette.

With thousands of colours, finishes, and combinations to choose from, finding the right palette can feel impossible. That’s where we come in. At Nouvelle, we don’t just help you pick a shade—we ensure every colour in your home works together effortlessly. We consider:
  • Lighting conditions—morning vs. evening tones, natural vs. artificial light
  • Existing materials—benchtops, flooring, and cabinetry
  • Your long-term vision—trends come and go, but great design lasts
Book a colour consultation with Nouvelle to create a space that looks stunning today and timeless tomorrow.

FAQs

A timeless colour scheme balances neutral foundations with adaptable accents. Whites, soft greys, warm creams, and earthy tones create a versatile base, while bold colours can be introduced through décor, cabinetry, or feature walls. Avoid ultra-trendy hues that may feel dated in a few years.


Explore real projects for inspiration and browse our home renovation gallery.

Warm tones (beige, terracotta, soft yellows) create a cosy, inviting feel, perfect for traditional or country-style homes. Cool tones (blues, greys, greens) evoke calm and sophistication, ideal for modern and contemporary spaces. The right balance depends on your home’s lighting, size, and style.


Still unsure? Our Colour Psychology blog looks at how colour impacts mood and space perception.

Lighting can completely change how a colour looks—a soft white in daylight may appear yellow under warm artificial light. North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light, which makes colours appear softer. South-facing rooms get warmer light that intensifies deep colours. Always test swatches in both daylight and evening conditions before committing.


See how colour works in real spaces. Visit our project gallery or book a showroom tour to experience different colour schemes in person.

Not necessarily, but they should feel cohesive. If your home has an open-plan flow, sticking to a similar palette in both spaces creates visual continuity. However, bathrooms can handle bolder colours or contrasting tones without disrupting the home’s overall aesthetic.


See how different spaces flow together! Browse our home renovation gallery or book a showroom visit.

Yes, but balance is key. A neutral base (white, grey, beige) gives you flexibility, while bold colours can be used strategically—deep green cabinets, a navy blue feature wall, or rich terracotta tiles. Contrast creates depth, but too many competing colours can feel chaotic.


Not sure where to start? Our modern and traditional kitchen galleries showcase real colour combinations that work.

Both approaches work, depending on the look you’re going for:

  • Matching tones create a seamless, understated look—ideal for modern and contemporary styles.
  • Contrasting colours (e.g., dark cabinets with light stone benchtops) add drama and depth, often seen in traditional or Hamptons kitchens.

See the difference in real kitchens. Browse our modern kitchen gallery and traditional kitchen gallery.

Lighter shades like soft whites, pale greys, and pastels make a room feel larger by reflecting more light. Darker tones can add sophistication, but they work best with ample natural or artificial lighting. Consider mirrors, gloss finishes, and strategic lighting to enhance space perception.


Find space-enhancing inspiration in our modern bathroom gallery and traditional bathroom gallery.

We can help you visualise your kitchen, bathroom, or entire home in 3D before any work begins. Our expert designers consider lighting, materials, and layout to ensure your chosen colours look just as good in real life as they do in your head.


Book a colour consultation today and see your vision come to life before making a final decision.

Choosing colours isn’t just about picking a shade—it’s about understanding how tones interact with space, light, and design elements. At Nouvelle, we:

  • Offer personalised colour consultations
  • Help you navigate paint, cabinetry, tile, and benchtop choices
  • Use 3D renders to test colour schemes before committing
  • Provide expert recommendations to avoid common mistakes

Make the right choice the first time. Book a showroom visit today!

We’re glad you want to work with us. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Visit our showroom to explore real-life colour palettes
  • Discuss your ideas with our expert design team
  • Receive tailored recommendations and 3D visualisations
  • Move forward with confidence—knowing your space will look exactly as planned

Let’s get started! Book a showroom tour today and let’s create something beautiful together.

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