Monochromatic Interior Design and Color Schemes, Context & Application Explored

monochromatic interior design with koket black and whtie vamp sofa denise chair roxy chandelier tabu cocktail

Thinking about styling your home in black and white? Originating from the 1920s, this timeless design classic characterizes the art-deco movement, along with unexpected geometric shapes and patterns. In modern interiors, however, monochrome can be beautifully understated, elegant, and simultaneously complex. 

Whether you’re redecorating, renovating, or starting entirely from scratch, it’s always worth learning about monochromatic interior design and how you can make the most of one color in your bedroom, living space, or private sanctuary.

What Is Monochrome?

Monochrome doesn’t need to mean black and white. As for monochromatic stereotypes, it’s easy to think of contrasting black and white accessories – both in art and in postmodern architecture

However, the term monochromatic also refers to design schemes that use just one color. This can be expressed using just one hue, but it’s also possible to achieve different gradients by adding whites and greys to mute, lighten, or darken the dominant color. 

Gold monochromatic interior design dining room by KOKET
Gold monochrome radiance by KOKET

Why Choose Monochrome Interiors?

Firstly, decorating an entire room is indefinitely easier when you can stick to one color. Secondly, you can still insert plenty of life and personality into your home using texture and tone. Along with looking sleek and stylish, going for monochrome makes redecorating simpler and less stressful.

Looking for more inspiration? We’ve outlined three monochromatic design ideas below.

Our Top Three Monochromatic Color Schemes


1. Dark 

For something with a sophisticated feel, we’d always suggest going for darker monochrome interiors. Decadent greys work just as beautifully in a master bedroom as they do in a living space, and it’s easy to add a pop of colour, too. 

Accessorize to incorporate contrasting colors like gold, bronze, or orange. For example, charming antique brass lamps paired with black lamp shades creates a playful, tasteful touch with which to personalize your home. Statement pieces like these can help to pull together an entire room and punctuate your interior design scheme. 

Omnia Ahmed, Egypt monochrome grey bedroom koket chairs and reve mirror
Decadent grey bedroom interior design by Omnia Ahmed

2. Bright

If you’re looking for something a little bit more uplifting, bright monochromatic color schemes can be incredibly effective. Go for joyful and balancing hues like lighter greys merged with softer tones too. Bright themes look wonderful in a child’s bedroom or dining room, carrying positive energy and light while maintaining a balanced, harmonious look.

Try to layer various shades, and make sure you know which colors to avoid if you’re aiming to create a particular effect. It could also be worth learning which color rules you should be breaking in order to create the most memorable interior possible.

Neutral Monochromatic interior by KOKET
Neutral Monochromatic interior by KOKET

3. Calming

Decorating a home office, yoga room, or cozy living room reading corner? As we head towards the summer months, warmer tones provide a space in which to relax and unwind after a busy day at work.

Try to focus on what’s calming for you, not just on what might look calming at first glance. Maybe blues do it for your. Or maybe you prefer warm reds and rosy pinks for soothing effects. Either way softening is the most important tactic when it comes to creating a soothing monochromatic interior. Vary the shades you choose along with providing matching accessories – these could be planters, lampshades, or soft furnishings.

blue geisha chair in monochromatic interior design by koket calming
Calming monochromatic blue interior by KOKET

Wrapping Up

Monochromatic interior design is understated yet classy. Whether you’re looking to cut time on your next DIY project or feeling compelled to share your passion for pink, it’s always a good idea to stick to one color. Then, you can delve into the different shades, textures, and affects to achieve with it. 


More to Love!

How to Incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year in Your Interior