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Can't Pick a Palette? Try a Tone-on-Tone Design

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Simplify your life, or at the very least, your home decor. If you break into a cold sweat trying to decide on a color palette, then a tone-on-tone scheme could be a quick, painless way to decorate your space.

Simplify your life or at the very least your home décor! If you break into a cold sweat trying to decide on a color palette, then a tone-on-tone scheme could be a quick, painless way to decorate your space.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Monochromatic Magic

Going with one color is an easy way to get a polished, sophisticated look without a lot of fuss. It's also more versatile than you would expect; dark and light furnishings you already own can help anchor the space.

Going with one color group simplifies the decorating process, but you still need to choose that ONE color. If you’re having trouble deciding, consider some of your favorites. And don’t get stressed trying to match everything in the room to one precise paint swatch. As long as you stay in the color family, a few shades darker or lighter, you’ll be pleased with the overall effect.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Play Favorites

Going with one color group simplifies the decorating process, but you still need to choose that one color. If you're having trouble deciding, consider some of your favorites. And don't get stressed trying to match everything in the room to one precise paint swatch. As long as you stay in the color family, and go a few shades darker or lighter, you'll be pleased with the overall effect.

When creating a monochromatic bedroom, focus on the three key players first - the walls, the rug and the bedding. Once you get those nailed down, you’re well on your way to a sophisticated look.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Key Players

When creating a monochromatic bedroom, focus on the three key players first: the walls, the rug and the bedding. Once you get those nailed down, you're well on your way to a sophisticated look.

When decorating a space, approach it in steps or layers. Start with the basics (rug, bed, wall color) then add bedside tables, a layer of bedding, then lighting, art, accessories and so on. The key is to be thoughtful about each layer and know when to put on the brakes. For a tone-on-tone space items like books, lamps or vases are another opportunity to play up your statement color.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Lovely Layers

When decorating your room, approach it in steps or layers. Start with the basics (rug, bed, wall color), then add side tables, a layer of bedding, lighting, art, accessories and so on. The key is to be thoughtful about each layer and know when to put on the brakes. For a tone-on-tone space, items like books, lamps or vases are another opportunity to play up your statement hue.

By keeping the palette super-simple, you give art, photography and other types of wall décor a chance to really shine.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Dramatic Backdrop

By keeping the palette simple, you give art, photography and other types of wall decor a chance to really shine.

Natural materials like metals and woods bring a little something extra to the party in a tone-on-tone scenario. The iron bed and deep gray window treatments help play up the dramatic quality of the rich teal walls, rug and bedding.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Grounding Grays

Natural materials bring a little something extra to a tone-on-tone scenario. The iron bed and deep gray window treatments help play up the dramatic quality of the rich teal walls, rug and bedding.

Don’t forget to add some pattern into the mix. Just because you’re going with one color doesn’t mean you’re stuck using all solids. Pretty patterns in the same color family will help keep the space from feeling one-dimensional.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Pattern Play

Don't forget to add some pattern to the mix. Just because you're going with one color doesn't mean you're stuck using all solids. Pretty patterns in the same color family will help keep the space from feeling one-dimensional.

Just like adding layers helps a space feel pulled together, adding softer elements like drapery, fluffy pillows and flowers will help give the room more dimension and charm.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Soften It Up

Just like adding layers helps a space feel pulled together, adding softer elements like drapery, pillows and flowers will give the room more dimension and charm.

When selecting art, consider the color of the room and the images that it conjures up. In this deep teal room, the coastal photography highlighting gorgeous blue/green waters feels totally on point.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Subtle Nods

When selecting art, consider the color of the room and the images that it conjures up. In this deep teal room, the coastal photography highlighting gorgeous blue-green waters feels totally on point.

An easy way to add a little warmth to a monochromatic space is through texture- think large woven baskets, fringed pillows or a nubby rug. This type of décor can boost the cozy factor x10.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Texture Rules

An easy way to add a little warmth to a monochromatic space is through texture like large woven baskets, fringed pillows or a nubby rug. This type of decor can boost the cozy factor.

The weathered woods in this space not only pull in the rich grays of the iron bed and window treatments, they also help give the space a comfortable, casual vibe.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Weathered Woods

The weathered woods not only pull in the rich grays of the iron bed and window treatments, they also help give the space a comfortable, casual vibe.

Anytime you go with all-over color, you’ll notice the whites look whiter and the brights look brighter! White baseboards and moldings, thick white picture frames and crisp bed linens all look fantastic against saturated color.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions

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Crisp Contrasts

Anytime you go with all-over color, you'll notice the whites look whiter and the brights look brighter. White baseboards and moldings, thick, white picture frames and crisp bed linens all look fantastic against saturated color.

A deeper, more saturated color can give a space a comforting cocoon-like feel and you can easily extend that into adjoining areas like bathrooms and closets. For these small spaces, select a paint color a few shades lighter to give the room a more spacious feel.

Photo: Tomas Espinoza

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Continuous Color

A deeper, more saturated color can give a room a comforting cocoon-like feel, and you can easily extend that into adjoining areas like bathrooms and closets. For these small spaces, select a paint color a few shades lighter to make the room feel more spacious.

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