Why White Isn’t Always Right And How to Embrace Colour Confidently in Your Home

The sitting room of Elwood Residence. Photo: Shannon McGrath

For years, white has been the default choice for walls and ceilings, praised for its ability to make spaces feel larger, brighter, and more open. Yet, while white has its place, it can often leave interiors feeling flat, uninspired, and lacking in personality.

Over the past two decades, we’ve seen a fascinating evolution in how colour is used in the home. The early 2000s were characterised by bold feature walls, marking a tentative first step away from the beige-drenched interiors of the 1990s. From there, our appetite for colour grew more adventurous, with homeowners increasingly willing to paint entire rooms in deep, enveloping hues.

Today, one of the most impactful approaches to colour is “colour drenching”, which involves painting walls, ceilings, and even trim in the same tonal shade. It’s a technique that wraps you in colour, creating spaces that feel rich, immersive, and sophisticated.

If you’re new to using colour, I recommend starting small. Private spaces like bedrooms offer the perfect testing ground, allowing you to embrace deeper hues that foster a sense of calm and relaxation.

How To Choose a Non-White Paint Colour

When moving beyond white, the key is to be intentional. Start by considering the feeling you want to create: energised, serene, grounded, or joyful? Colour has the power to evoke emotion, but it’s deeply personal, so tune into what resonates with you.

It’s also important to work with your home’s natural attributes. Light exposure plays a significant role in how colour behaves; here in the southern hemisphere, a north-facing room flooded with sunlight might welcome vibrant tones, while a dimmer, south-facing space could benefit from deeper, more cocooning colours.

Equally important is considering the existing materials - the flooring, the furniture, the architectural elements - to ensure that the chosen palette harmonises with what’s already there, creating a cohesive, considered environment.

Colour in Practice: Kazoo and Elwood Residence

The sitting room at Kazoo. Photo: Hunting Utopia

When designing the colour palettes for my Kazoo and Elwood projects, I was guided by both the homes’ heritage and a desire to inject a contemporary spirit.

At Elwood Residence - an Art Deco home with a modern extension - we embraced the darker nature of the original sitting room rather than fighting it. Inspired by the decadent spirit of the Art Deco era, we painted the walls and ceilings above the dark timber panelling in a rich, golden hue. The result is a moody, welcoming space that feels both dramatic and deeply comforting - a memorable first impression for guests arriving at the home.

Kazoo in Caulfield East, meanwhile, called for something equally bold but different in tone. This stately Edwardian home, named after the racehorse whose winnings funded its construction, provided the perfect backdrop for a jewel-toned palette inspired by jockey silks. In the sitting room, we colour-drenched the walls, ceiling, and joinery in a deep slate-green, creating an atmospheric, layered space that honours the home's storied past while feeling contemporary and vibrant.

What Colour Brings to a Space

Colour doesn’t just change the way a room looks; it transforms how it feels. At both Kazoo and Elwood, the use of rich, evocative colours imbues the homes with warmth, depth, and a tangible sense of soul. Colour brings narrative and emotion into a space, encouraging people to slow down, linger, and connect with one another, as well as with the home itself.

Will Coloured Walls Date? (And Does It Matter?)

It’s true that colour trends evolve over time. However, if you choose colours that resonate deeply with you - colours that suit the architecture of your home and reflect how you want to feel in the space - they will never truly date.

Homes naturally evolve too; most spaces will require repainting every 5 to 10 years simply due to normal wear and tear. Rather than fear this, embrace it as an opportunity to refresh, rethink, and reflect your evolving personal style.

Does Colour Suit Certain Homes More Than Others?

Coloured walls can work beautifully in any home, provided they are approached thoughtfully. Heritage homes with ornate detailing often sing with rich, vibrant colours that highlight their features. Mid-century homes lend themselves to warm, earthy tones that celebrate timber and craftsmanship. Even contemporary homes can embrace colour strategically, particularly in smaller spaces like bedrooms, where dynamic hues can be used without overwhelming open-plan layouts.

Ultimately, colour is about storytelling. It’s about crafting a home that feels authentic to you - your memories, your passions, your aspirations. So, trust your instincts, be bold where it feels right, and remember: the most timeless homes are those that feel genuinely lived-in.