Tone On Tone: How to Master This Chic Design Trend

Decorating with a monochromatic theme, utilizing one main hue with graded tones, has been trending for some time now. However, keeping to a restrained palette can be a challenge if you want to prevent the space from being too one note. Here, four Scouted designers offer their expertise on how to pull off this look that’s elegant and timeless and anything but boring. To find a Scouted design expert near you, check out The Scout Guide Directory.

Lean into pattern. Embracing varying patterns in textiles and wallpaper is a surefire way to add interest to a space that is channeling a monochromatic palette. In the bedroom above, Jeremy Clark, owner of Jeremy D. Clark Interior Design Studio in Birmingham, Alabama, enlivened an earthy green and brown color scheme while adding dimension with stripes and floral accents. The general rule: keep the colors in the same tone and you can really push boundaries with pattern.

Choose the right hue. Not every colorway works with this trend, as some can read either jarring or one dimensional. Tami Ramsay, partner and principal designer at Cloth & Kind in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Athens, Georgia, reports she’s a huge fan of going tone on tone with blues and greens. “Something about those specific hues lends itself well to wrapping a whole room,” she says.

Texture is a must. Every space needs layers and depth to look properly pulled together. When wrapping a room in the same general hue, Ramsay notes the importance of leaning on texture to avoid going flat. She likes to add texture through textiles (think upholstery, pillows, and throws), art, and decorative objects. Amanda Lantz, interior designer and president of Lantz Collective in Naples, Florida, and Carmel, Indiana, adds that the use of texture and materials within a single-color palette allows for a balanced and elegant space that emphasizes the interplay of light, shadow, and tactile qualities. The result? A visually rich and inviting ambiance.

Let there be light. When working with a tonal palette, Lantz stresses the importance of paying special attention to play of light in the space. “Keep in mind how natural light pours into the room during the day and how your artificial light makes the room glow in the evening, and design accordingly,” she says. Because the colors are naturally so closely related, you need adequate lighting to keep the space from lacking definition.

Channel a mood. There are many ways designers add ambiance to a room, but Kelly McCullough, owner and lead designer at Abode in Asheville, North Carolina, finds that leaning on a monochromatic hues in a single space is the simplest way to lend a calm, soothing spa-like vibe to the room. Additionally, if you’re going for big drama, McCullough opts for bold colors, playing up these loud hues with a mix of patterns and texture.

Create a jewel box. If you are looking for a bolder approach to tone-on-tone decorating, Lantz suggests going with jewel-toned hues. She especially loves choosing this colorway for in-home cabarets and bars. “I enjoy using rich fabrics, paint colors, and textured rugs to harmonize and reveal the room’s intricate depths,” she explains. “It’s fun to see the interaction of light and shadow cast upon surfaces in rooms like this as the day transitions into night.”

When in doubt, bring in the professionals. There are some design projects that truly need a skilled pro. Clark finds that decorating with a tonal palette tests his skillset to create a space that feels elegant and layered—all within a limited color wheel—and he welcomes the challenge. If you find you’re in over your head with this hot trend, don’t hesitate to contract an interior designer for the job. You can find a Scouted interior designer in our directory here.

TSG Tip 463 from Jeremy Clark, owner of Jeremy D. Clark Interior Design Studio in Birmingham, Alabama; Tami Ramsay, partner and principal designer at Cloth & Kind in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Athens, Georgia; Amanda Lantz, interior designer and president of Lantz Collective in Naples, Florida, and Carmel, Indiana and Kelly McCullough, owner and lead designer at Abode in Asheville, North Carolina. Jeremy D. Clark Interior Design Studio appears in The Scout Guide Birmingham. Cloth & Kind appears in The Scout Guide Ann Arbor. Lantz Collective appears in The Scout Guide Naples. Abode appears in The Scout Guide Asheville.