PERFECT paint pairings

Find the right colour recipe to suit any room scheme with these classic combinations

- LISA FAZZANI

CHOCOLATE AND CARAMEL

Rich, warm and luxurious, chocolate and caramel is an indulgent colour combination - the perfect choice for rooms where you want to feel cosy and cocooned. Dark browns, like chocolate, look super smart but can be quite intense, so introducing lighter areas in creamier caramel tones will soften the effect. Go for rich, deep-toned browns in north-facing rooms to warm things up, or mid-toned browns in south-facing spaces where the light is brighter.

* Main wall in Chocolate Fountain and side panel in Caramel Latte, both soft sheen paint, £33 for 2.5ltr, Dulux

GREEN AND GRAPHITE

While choosing contrast colours can create drama, a harmonious colour scheme is a better choice where you want a room to feel restful. The key with harmonious colours is to choose shades that sit next to each other on the colour wheel, which gives a more natural, graduated effect that doesn’t feel jarring. Often found together in nature, green and grey make a great combination that feels visually calm, connected and balanced.