Similar Color Tones vs High-Contrast Palettes — Which Way of Decorating Actually Makes Your Home Feel More Expensive?

Kitchen with creamy-yellow walls, a marble kitchen island with blue-and-white checkerboard tiles, curtains over windows on either side of range and bright blue cabinetry leading to pantry.

While a beautifully considered tonal scheme might inherently seem more ‘luxurious’ in its restraint and elegance, a high-contrast palette often has the edge, where the designer has gone one step further to surprise and delight, as well as create a sophisticated interior.

"Luxury isn’t always about restraint; it’s about creating memorable moments", agrees interior designer Carina Raymond of Studio Raymond. But it requires confidence and balance to pull it off. Tonal schemes can provide an unrivalled sense of calm and visual cohesion, but need textural interest for that extra oomph to prevent them from feeling flat.