The moment we step inside, it’s the color that first catches our eye and creates the initial impression of an interior. It sets the mood, defines the rhythm of the space, and shapes the atmosphere — whether calm, warm, or dynamic. A well-chosen color palette makes a space feel cozy, harmonious, and visually balanced.
In contemporary interiors, color is more than just decoration. It helps highlight focal points, define zones, and emphasize the overall style. Most importantly, it reflects the personality of the homeowner. As an interior design and architecture and design studio, Martins believes that color is an essential element that transforms spaces — from residential apartments to contemporary commercial building design projects. The right palette can enhance not only aesthetics but also functionality and emotional impact.
In this article, we’ll explore how to create a harmonious color palette for your interior — illustrated through completed projects by Martins interior design studio:
• PMT House — a space built on the balance of natural textures and bold accents.
• Villa M-Rock — an interior inspired by the nature of Bali island, where colors blend seamlessly with organic materials and sustainable materials for interiors.
• Lipki — a stylish urban apartment where a neutral base is enriched with sophisticated color accents.
The Martins team will share their design approach to color selection — helping you create an interior that feels cohesive, elegant, and inviting.
Every interior begins with a foundation — the colors that set the overall tone for the entire space. These are typically neutral shades such as white, gray, beige, sand, or light wood. They don’t distract attention, don’t tire the eyes, and easily harmonize with other colors and materials.
Base colors create a sense of openness, lightness, and calm. They serve to highlight the interior architecture, furniture, and textures without competing for attention — a key principle in professional interior design and architecture and design studio practices.
To avoid a flat or monotonous interior, it’s essential to introduce accent colors. These can come through bold shades in furniture, textiles, decorative elements, or natural materials such as wood, stone, or metal.
Accent tones evoke emotion, add depth, and bring character to the space. In interior design with sustainable materials, accents often highlight eco friendly materials for interiors — adding both aesthetic and functional value. It’s important that they complement the base palette and enhance the overall harmony without overwhelming the interior.
A harmonious palette is not only about choosing beautiful colors but also about placing them correctly. One of the simplest and most effective methods is the 60/30/10 rule:
• 60% — dominant color (the base),
• 30% — secondary color,
• 10% — accent color.
This ratio helps maintain visual balance. Contrast between colors adds dynamic energy, but it’s important not to overdo it — if the colors compete with each other, the space can feel visually overwhelming.
Balance is all about a sense of proportion. When colors complement each other, the interior feels cohesive, calm, and at the same time expressive — whether it’s a private residence, commercial buildings, or projects in interior design Kyiv.
A color palette in interior design is not just about aesthetics. It is deeply connected to the style and functionality of the space. The way we choose colors often depends on the architectural concept, the desired atmosphere, and the purpose of each area in the home.
Modern Naturalness is all about light neutral tones, soft textures, wood, microcement, and natural lighting. This palette evokes a sense of calm, simplicity, and comfort. It is perfectly suited for interiors where interior architecture and light take center stage.
Tropical Ethnicity and Nature-Inspired Design embrace warm shades of sand, bamboo, stone, as well as rich wood and textiles in earthy tones. The palette becomes an extension of the landscape — it seamlessly integrates with the surroundings and creates a relaxed, resort-like atmosphere. It also aligns well with the principles of interior design with sustainable materials, reflecting eco-conscious choices.
Contemporary Classic with Artistic Accents is a combination of a restrained base and sophisticated color details: deep, rich tones in furniture, unique marble textures, and expressive art pieces. This approach allows for an elegant yet modern aesthetic within a single space — often seen in both residential interiors and contemporary commercial building design.
Color also plays a key role in highlighting the purpose of each area within a home or apartment:
• Kitchen — This is a space where colors that stimulate activity and appetite work well: warm, rich, or contrasting tones.
• Living Room — As a place for relaxation, it benefits from soft, neutral shades that don’t overwhelm the space.
• Bedroom — Calm, muted tones are ideal here: pastel hues, beige, gray, and light wood help create a tranquil atmosphere.
• Bathroom — A light color palette enhances the feeling of cleanliness, while natural materials contribute to a spa-like ambiance.
• Home Office — Color can affect concentration. Deep, soothing tones work well in this space, helping to maintain focus.
Each area serves a specific function — and color is the tool that supports these roles without disrupting the overall harmony.
To better understand how a color palette works in an interior, it’s worth looking at real-life examples. In Martins studio projects, color is not just decoration — it’s a powerful design tool that shapes the atmosphere of the space. As an interior design studio in Kyiv, Martins also integrates principles of interior architecture and functionality into every project, ensuring both visual appeal and practicality.
This interior is a refined example of a balanced combination of a neutral base and deep accent tones. The foundation consists of light walls, microcement, warm wood, and a calm parquet texture — all contributing to a sense of spaciousness and harmony. The project also subtly incorporates sustainable materials for interiors, supporting an eco-conscious approach to modern living.
The olive kitchen island with a marble countertop creates an elegant visual accent in the kitchen-living area. It blends harmoniously with the wooden cabinetry and the soft wall palette, highlighting the natural tones of the interior. The combination of textures — stone, wood, and soft fabrics — makes the space feel warm, balanced, and contemporary. This thoughtful approach to interior design reflects the philosophy of a modern architecture and design studio, where aesthetics go hand in hand with functionality. Incorporating sustainable materials for interiors not only enhances visual appeal but also supports environmentally conscious living — an essential aspect of contemporary interiors today.
The wooden panels behind the headboard create a warm, natural atmosphere in the bedroom and establish a visual rhythm within the interior. The calm palette — beige, cream, and sandy tones — blends harmoniously with soft textiles, adding a sense of coziness and balance to the space. Such thoughtful interior design solutions reflect the approach of a professional architecture and design studio, where each detail enhances both comfort and aesthetics. In this project, the use of sustainable materials for interiors also emphasizes the importance of creating not only beautiful but eco-conscious living environments.
An exclusive natural marble sink becomes the focal point of the bathroom. The striking stone pattern adds depth and sophistication to the space while seamlessly blending with the neutral base and minimalist interior details. This refined approach reflects the philosophy of thoughtful interior design and interior architecture, where every element contributes to a cohesive and elegant atmosphere. In projects by our architecture and design studio, such accents are often complemented by sustainable materials for interiors, enhancing both aesthetics and environmental responsibility.
In this project, the color palette seamlessly blends with the natural surroundings of Bali island. The interior features predominantly sandy, cream, and light brown tones that emphasize the calm and organic character of the space. The design reflects the principles of interior design with sustainable materials, showcasing how natural textures and tones can create harmony. As part of Martins’ approach as an architecture and design studio, this project highlights the importance of eco-conscious solutions in contemporary interiors design.
Light natural shades — sand, cream, and light wood — create a sense of space, calm, and ease. Natural materials such as bamboo, stone, and wood blend harmoniously with the exotic views beyond the panoramic window, visually merging the interior with the surrounding environment. The space feels open, airy, and at the same time, cozy. This approach reflects the philosophy of thoughtful interior design with sustainable materials, often used by leading architecture and design studios in projects that combine aesthetics and functionality. Such solutions are especially relevant in both private homes and contemporary commercial building design, where comfort and visual harmony are equally important.
The bedroom is infused with natural aesthetics — from the woven cabinet fronts to the textured ceiling made of eco friendly materials for interiors. A warm palette of light wood, sandy tones, and ethnic-inspired textiles on the rug creates a cozy, relaxing atmosphere. Large windows fill the space with soft natural light and visually connect the interior with the tropical surroundings — a signature approach of Martins, an architecture and design studio known for thoughtful, nature-inspired interior design solutions.
The bathroom combines natural aesthetics with functional simplicity — a true reflection of thoughtful interior design with sustainable materials. An organic-shaped mirror with soft backlighting brings a sense of fluidity, while stone basins and a solid wood console emphasize a connection to nature. Matte tiles, a textured bamboo-paneled ceiling, and terrazzo flooring create a harmonious palette of warm, earthy tones.
This approach, often used by our architecture and design studio, highlights how carefully selected eco friendly materials for interiors can enhance both comfort and visual balance. A panoramic horizontal window fills the space with daylight while maintaining privacy — adding a modern touch that aligns with contemporary interior architecture trends.
The interior of this project is built on the contrast between a restrained base and artistic color accents. The foundation features a classic combination of white, light wood, and warm neutral tones — a timeless solution often used in interior design with sustainable materials and modern interior architecture approaches. Such a palette not only highlights the elegance of the space but also supports the values of eco-conscious living, which are increasingly important in contemporary architecture and design studios across Europe and particularly in interior design Kyiv trends.
Against this neutral backdrop, color accents stand out vividly. In the image, a deep ochre sofa serves as a striking focal point, adding warmth, depth, and character to the space. It harmoniously complements the artistic decor and natural textures, enhancing the overall atmosphere. This thoughtful approach reflects the principles of interior design with sustainable materials, often used by our architecture and design studio in both residential and contemporary commercial building design projects.
The blue art object on the console creates a striking visual accent within the understated interior. Against the backdrop of light walls, neutral textiles, and natural lighting, it highlights the spatial dynamics and adds an artistic character to the overall design. Thoughtful interior design like this not only enhances aesthetics but also demonstrates the importance of balance and composition in interior architecture. Such elements are often key in projects by a professional architecture and design studio, where each detail contributes to a cohesive and emotionally engaging space.
The Blue Jeans marble on the kitchen island and backsplash adds depth and expressiveness to the interior. Its distinctive texture and rich tone create an aesthetic focal point that contrasts beautifully with warm wood and a restrained color base. Such details introduce a lively dynamic without disrupting the harmony of the space.
As part of a thoughtfully curated interior design, this approach demonstrates how natural textures can enhance both comfort and sophistication. The interior is filled with light, openness, and tactile materials — everything is balanced, thoughtfully composed, and refined. The palette feels contemporary yet full of character — a reflection of the refined taste often sought in modern interior architecture and interiors design for urban residences.
A harmonious color palette is not just a matter of taste — it’s a result of a thoughtful, well-considered approach. Here are a few expert tips to help you create a cohesive and balanced interior:
1. Start with the foundation
Choose calm, neutral tones as your base — they are timeless, versatile, and easy to combine with other colors without overwhelming the space. This base acts as a canvas where accent tones can stand out more effectively.
2. Add accents with care
Use bold or rich colors sparingly — in furniture, textiles, or decorative elements. Accents are most impactful when they are used strategically and contrast clearly with the overall palette.
3. Consider lighting
Colors change dramatically under different lighting conditions. The same shade may appear warmer in daylight and cooler in the evening. That’s why it’s essential to test your chosen colors in the actual interior setting before making final decisions.
4. Play with textures
Even a subtle color scheme gains depth and character through a mix of textures — wood, stone, fabric, ceramics, or glass. These materials enhance the visual and tactile richness of the space.
5. Maintain balance
Follow the 60/30/10 rule:
– 60% base color
– 30% secondary color
– 10% accent color
This ratio helps you keep the interior visually balanced and harmonious without visual clutter.
6. Trust your personal preferences
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula — the most important thing is that your palette resonates with you. Interior design is ultimately about creating a space that feels comfortable and inviting for everyday living.
Color is more than just a decorative element — it shapes the mood, defines the style, and creates the atmosphere you want to live in. A harmonious palette is the result of thoughtful choices, a sense of balance, and attention to detail. There are no "right" or "wrong" colors — only those that work best in your specific space. Trust your intuition, but also consider the key principles that help create a cohesive and comfortable interior.
At Martins Studio, we carefully craft color palettes that reflect the style, functionality, and character of each space. Because true design is not only about aesthetics — it's about a deep sense of harmony.
Want your interior to be stylish, balanced, and refined down to the smallest detail? The Martins Studio team will help you create a space where every color contributes to the atmosphere, comfort, and visual appeal.
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