Choosing Your Home’s Interior Design Color Palette

There’s nothing more idyllic than a home with an ocean view — and the interior design color palette of your Kiawah Island home should reflect that feeling. 

When looking for inspiration, let Kiawah’s natural beauty serve as your muse. Perhaps it’s our calming waves and gentle ocean breezes that engulf you with summertime spirit year-round. Or our gorgeous greens and luscious marshes that remind you of boundless opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Continue reading to discover seaside-inspired color palettes and learn how to choose the perfect hues for the inside of your Kiawah Island home. 

The Psychology Behind Choosing a Color Palette

Choosing a color palette for your waterfront home goes beyond simply choosing a color. The right color palette has the power to make your home a sanctuary, one that matches the tranquility of waterfront living on the Island. In fact, it is proven that certain colors have a direct impact on your mood, behavior, and overall state of mind. When choosing an interior design color palette for your waterfront home, it is important to take these factors into consideration.

Although perceptions of color are somewhat subjective, there are some hues that have universal meanings. Colors such as red, orange, and yellow are known to evoke feelings of warmth, boldness, and power. While colors like blue, purple, and green are often associated with peace, calmness, and tranquility.

Interior Design Color Palettes Inspired by the Seaside

While there are specific guidelines to follow for painting the exterior of your Kiawah Island home, the opportunities are endless when it comes to decorating the inside. From the Island’s scenic sunrises and sunsets to our peaceful sandy shores and ocean blue hues, there are countless ways to evoke a coastal feeling throughout your home’s decor.

Ocean Blue and Seafoam Green Hues

Because Kiawah residents are lucky enough to live near the water year-round, it’s hard not to take inspiration from the mystical ocean that surrounds you and bring it into your home. 

A subtle shade of turquoise is a great choice for textiles that complement the scenic views from your front porch or to add a pop of color against your kitchen’s neutral stone countertops. Darker shades of blue, such as navy, are reminiscent of the Atlantic Ocean, making them lovely colors to use for wallpaper in your foyer or throughout your decor.

If you can’t decide between shades of blue or green, marry both hues to curate a color palette that reflects the tranquility of green, and the serenity of blue. Inspired by the froth found in the ocean water, seafoam green is thought to balance emotions and promote a sense of calmness and clarity.

Neutral Earth Tones

Earth tones never go out of style and are perfect for decorating the interior spaces within your waterfront home. Soothing shades of soft tans and beiges used throughout will remind you of time spent walking on the beach, and the feeling of the soft sand underneath your feet. These hues are warm, inviting, and comforting, making them a lovely choice for those who prefer to keep a neutral palette.

Meanwhile, subtle brown hues and wooden accents bring the casual feel of driftwood and palmetto trees into your home. Incorporating lush shades of green adds a touch of color that still feels natural and earthy. For inspiration, look to the Island’s award-winning golf courses.

Cream, Burnt Orange, and Red Shades

Inspired by a Kiawah Island sunset, hues of burnt orange and rich red are a great way to add warm, eye-catching color to your coastal-inspired home. Orange is considered an energetic color that encourages feelings of excitement, enthusiasm, and warmth. Meanwhile, red is a fiery hue that is linked to passion, love, and power.

If you’re hesitant to use these bold colors inside your coastal home — or simply don’t know where to start — there are small, yet trendy, ways to incorporate them throughout your space. Consider using shades of orange and red in a powder room, office, or any other area that won’t be seen by everyone who visits your home. 

Bright Pops of Color

To brighten up your indoor living space, consider adding colorful elements throughout your decor. Shades of tangy coral, vivid orchid, golden yellow, and seashell pink inspired by Kiawah Island’s natural beauty are ideal for waterfront homes. When paired with peaceful shades of blue or subdued neutrals, these vibrant tones add a refreshing contrast to your space.  

Picking the Perfect Color Palette for Your Waterfront Home

Purchasing your dream home on Kiawah Island is only the beginning — now it’s time to decorate. These tips can help you get started.

1. Create a mood board

Choosing the right interior design color palette for your Kiawah Island home is comparable to a masterful artist selecting the appropriate paints for their envisioned masterpiece. For those who are unsure of where to begin, creating a mood board can be a great starting point. Finding color scheme and decor inspiration online is a tactful way to organize your ideas and help your vision come to life. 

2. Work with an interior designer

Some are more naturally inclined to have an eye for design than others. An interior designer can guide you through the entire process and help you pick a color scheme that best fits your personality, style, and vision. Interior design goes far beyond choosing optimal paint colors — a professional will go above and beyond to evaluate the best tones and colors for your furniture, rugs, accent pillows, and other decor. 

3. Get inspired by the beauty around you

With grand estates, majestic trees, and incredible ocean views, there is no shortage of inspiration on Kiawah Island. Take a walk around our Island and observe the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, marshlands, fairways, and luxury real estate properties. Take in all the beauty around you and wait for inspiration to strike! 

Find Your Waterfront Home on Kiawah Island

Interior design color palettes are highly subjective, which means there’s no right or wrong way to design your space. At the end of the day, the choice is up to you.

And when you live on Kiawah Island, the scenic views will speak for themselves. No matter how you choose to decorate your space, there’s no place more idyllic than a home on the water. Click below to find your home with a view on Kiawah Island!