How many colors should you include in a room? Interior designers share their advice on the optimum number for a balanced space

Choosing a color scheme for a room can often welcome questions about the ideal number of colors to include. Too many colors and the room can soon look disjointed, while too few colors can fail to feel interesting.

To hear what interior designers have to say on this topic, we asked them for their tried and tested approach regarding the ideal amount of shades to include when curating room color ideas.

Below, we've rounded up their top tips – from color rules to personal preferences – to give you some steer with your own color schemes for a balanced yet exciting look.

1. Start with three colors

If you're looking for a reliable reference point as you begin choosing colors for a room, consider three as an ideal number. Not too overwhelming – starting with three allows you to set a cohesive base, informing the main pieces in your room.

'When selecting colors for a room, I recommend starting with at least three hues and adding more as needed,' suggests interior designer Elizabeth Drake. 'Typically, one fabric or textile serves as the anchor for the color palette, with other colors branching out from there. However, not every element in the room has to adhere to this scheme. It’s also perfectly acceptable to introduce a single color that stands independently, adding a unique touch to the overall design.'

As Elizabeth alludes to, throwing in a contrasting color that isn't a part of your original palette is well known to boost design appeal, as proven by the unexpected red theory.

2. Add a fourth color in larger rooms

It makes sense that there is often more opportunity to introduce additional colors in large rooms, whereas small rooms may be better suited to a tighter palette.

Debbie Mathews LeRoy, founder and principal designer at Nashville-based Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs tends to start with three colors, but may add a fourth color in larger rooms:

'I usually focus on three main colors for any space that I am designing. Every now and then, like in a larger room, I will add a fourth to be used sparingly, but I usually design with three main colors.

'Years ago, I was taught about the 60-30-10 color rule, and it has always stuck with me. You start by selecting your main color, which should represent 60% of the color used in that space. You then select a secondary color, which should represent approximately 30% of the color in the space. And then finally, you pick an accent color that should be used sparingly representing approximately 10% of the color in that space.'

When curating your color palette, keep in mind that decorating with pattern is an effective way of layering additional shades, rather than each shade being a solid color, suggests interior designer Diane Rath of The Rath Project.

'There isn’t a strict rule for the number of colors to use in a room, but we typically incorporate two to three solid colors while layering in additional shades through patterns. For example, we might choose a patterned wallpaper or rug that features a range of colors, then pull two or three key hues for furnishings, paint, and larger furniture pieces.'

'This approach helps create visual harmony, giving the eye a place to rest rather than overwhelming the space with too many competing tones. Wood and metal finishes can be layered in as neutrals, adding depth and dimension without expanding the core color palette.'

3. Use no more than five colors for a balanced look

While 'rules' vary from designer to designer, limiting your total amount of colors in a room to five ensures things maintain a level of cohesiveness. 'I generally recommend sticking to three to five colors when decorating a room,' says Liz Williams, founder and principal designer at Atlanta-based Liz Williams Interiors. 'This provides enough variety to create visual interest and contrast, without making the space feel overwhelming or chaotic.'

In this living room, Liz demonstrates that your chosen colors can add just as much impact when used through decor, rather than painting the walls. The neon pink and powdery blues feel unexpected and exciting, but perfectly balanced by the intentionality of the palette.

'Using different shades of the same color can also add depth and dimension,' Liz continues. 'Sticking to a small color palette ensures that the room feels unified. You can experiment with different hues and tones, but the overall result will still feel intentional and harmonious. You can mix and match furniture, fabrics, and artwork without worrying that the room will feel cluttered or mismatched.'

'When decorating a room, a great rule of thumb is to stick with about five colors,' agrees Denver-based designer Nadia Watts. 'A good way to start is by choosing something with those colors – like a piece of art, an accent fabric, or even a throw pillow. From there, you can pull colors ​to use throughout the space to use as your palette.'

'Having those five colors as your base helps everything feel cohesive and intentional instead of all over the place. For example, if one of your colors is blue, you can layer in lighter and darker shades, plus a warm tone to break things up and keep it feeling intentional. You can mix in different shades and tones within those colors to add depth without feeling too uniform,' explains Nadia.

4. In neutral rooms, worry less about a certain number

When decorating with bold hues, limiting the total number of colors can help keep things grounded. However, if you're decorating neutral rooms, it's often less about setting a certain amount and following your intuition, suggests designer Hill Rondero of Ro House Studio:

'I don’t think in terms of strict numbers when it comes to color. For me, it’s more about how colors feel together rather than counting them. I tend to work with earthy, grounded tones – mustard, ochre, rust – that I actually see as neutrals because they have a quiet richness that layers beautifully without overwhelming a space. When you view color as part of a layered story – rather than as isolated pops – it creates a palette that feels cohesive and timeless.

'My approach is to build a foundation of warm, soulful hues, and then layer in texture, materials, and subtle shifts in tone. That’s what gives a room depth and makes it feel collected and lived-in, rather than decorated to a formula. So, while some designers might suggest sticking to a set number of colors, I think the more important thing is to create balance and flow. If the colors speak the same language, they can coexist without competing.'

If you're designing a colorful room, following designers' tips by limiting the total number of shades in your space can help ensure the end result is balanced and livable. However, keep in mind that there's no golden rule for all rooms – color is subjective and the best thing you can do for your space is do what feels right for your home.