Guide to Monochromatic Colour Schemes

A sketch of a dining area with blue-painted walls, a light blue-painted ceiling and wainscotting, and two doors opening to a dark navy blue hallway. A sketch of a dining area with blue-painted walls, a light blue-painted ceiling and wainscotting, and two doors opening to a dark navy blue hallway.

Guide to Monochromatic Colour Schemes

Learn how a monochromatic paint colour scheme—also known as colour drenching—creates drama and dimension, infusing any space with style and sophistication.

Understanding the basics of colour helps elevate your interiors. Here, you’ll discover how the creative combination of different shades in the same hue, known as a monochromatic colour scheme, yields an elegant environment in any room.

Monochromatic Colours 101

What is a monochromatic colour scheme? Simply put, it’s a palette that involves a single hue, and an excellent way to layer in colour and drama.There are two distinct monochromatic styles:

  • Single Shade:
    • A single shade colour scheme uses one colour without any variation in hue.
    • This approach makes choosing trim colour a snap, since everything will be the same colour.
    • The powerful effect of a single shade can be enhanced further by using different paint sheens on your trim and mouldings.
  • Multiple Shades:
    • A multiple shade colour scheme uses several shades of the same hue, as well as shades with varying undertones.
    • Using multiple shades of one colour softens the look of a monochromatic palette, imbuing relaxing energy into any space.
    • This approach can make a room look bigger and is ideal for enhancing small spaces.
  • Always a great resource, the colour wheel is integral to interior design: Check out these highlights to see how the colour wheel can help with your paint colour search!

Monochromatic Colour Palettes

To help you shape your own monochromatic colour scheme, use these curated palettes by colour family, created by our colour experts.

White Paint Colours

Bring subtle dimension to your space by layering white paint colours.

Beige & Brown Paint Colors

Infuse your home with sophistication using shades of beige and brown.

Blue Paint Colours

Build a calming space using a diverse range of blue hues.

Purple Paint Colours

Create a luxurious, romantic atmosphere with varying shades of purple.

Red Paint Colours

Add warmth into any space with a variety of pinks and reds.

A green-painted living room with green-printed couch, stone end table, glass coffee table, and bookshelves matching the walls. A green-painted living room with green-printed couch, stone end table, glass coffee table, and bookshelves matching the walls.
This saturated monochromatic study evokes the feeling of a lush jungle. Trim and doors in Rainforest Foliage 2040-10 pack a powerful punch in a high-gloss sheen, a beautiful contrast against matte walls in Amazon Moss 2037-10.
An opulent dining room with blue-painted walls, ceiling and fireplace, and a chandelier over a large wooden dining table and chairs. The style is classic with an exotic twist. An opulent dining room with blue-painted walls, ceiling and fireplace, and a chandelier over a large wooden dining table and chairs. The style is classic with an exotic twist.
Bold, dramatic, opulent. This Spectra Blue 2049-50 dining room showcases the power of a monochromatic colour scheme. Experimenting with sheen in unexpected places, like a semi-gloss ceiling, creates a luminous look ideal for dining in style.
Taupe entryway with wooden door, wainscoting, and beige chair. Taupe entryway with wooden door, wainscoting, and beige chair.
Creating a monochromatic palette with neutral colours can be tricky, but when you get it right, the result is classic. Try mixing slightly different undertones within one hue, seen in this taupe entryway, to create a subtle contrast between shades.
Blue-gray living area with two-toned stairs, wainscoting, gray couch with yellow pillows, small cage chandelier, and wall art. Blue-gray living area with two-toned stairs, wainscoting, gray couch with yellow pillows, small cage chandelier, and wall art.
Welcome guests with a monochromatic colour palette of cool grays with subtle violet undertones. Try a dual-toned staircase to bring whimsy to a sophisticated space.

This entryway is painted in Feather Gray 2127-60 and Pike’s Peak Gray 2127-50, both from Colour Preview®, a colour collection that ranges from bright and vibrant, to more subtle versions of the same hues. Use Colour Preview as a helpful resource to create monochromatic colour schemes in your space!
Kitchen with white walls and black trim, white island counters with beige stools, golden overhead lighting, and various kitchen utensils.

Layered Whites

White paint colour may not be your first thought when thinking about monochromatic colours. However, layering whites brings dimension and texture to a room, creating a crisp, clean setting. Playing with white in the kitchen is a great choice given the amount of different surfaces in that space.

Ready to test out a monochromatic colour scheme of your own? Use our Colour a Room tool to see Benjamin Moore paint colours on rooms in our room portfolio, or check out the Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio™ app to test out paint colours on images from your home.
Two-tone wall painted in Subtle AF-310 and Sea Life 2118-40 framed by a black fireplace.

Warm & Cool Colours

Discover how warm and cool paint colours impact your space.

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Woman inspecting various paint swatches.

How to Choose Interior Paint Colour

Learn from the experts on how to select colours you'll love.

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