If you’re remodeling or redecorating an entire house, you may want to find a way to incorporate different colors, but use them in a way that they flow throughout the house. This way, your guests won’t be able to tell when you last updated because there won’t be any features sticking out like a sore thumb. This is especially important in newer homes with large rooms or a combination of rooms. You will have to decide where to stop the color in the living room and where to start it in the dining room. You can use different colors that flow together with just a little inspiration.

Start with paint colors for the exterior of your home. You may want to use this as a starting point for the interior of your home. This is especially important if you have a vintage home. If the exterior of your condo looks Spanish or has a tile roof, bring rich terra cottas and turquoises to the interiors. You probably considered curb appeal when you bought your home, so bring the same style inside for a cohesive space.

Instead of opting for a themed room, go for natural inspiration. These rooms will be gender neutral and last a long time rather than seem over the top or kitsch. For example, the colors of the granite countertop could inspire the colors of your dining room. If you look closely at your countertop, you’ll see all the different shades and tones, from the subtle metals and crystals to different neutral colors and little flecks of green, blue, or red. Choose one of the less dominant colors to switch things up and still create that sense of flow.

When choosing exterior colors or interior colors the same rule applies. You can’t just think “Oh, I like blue” and then expect to pick the perfect paint color the first time. That’s why many beginning painters make the mistake of choosing a primary color that looks horrible on the walls. They then quickly repaint to a neutral color and just decide that they will have white walls for the rest of their lives.

You need to look at color in context. This could be in the context of your neighborhood; You will need to choose exterior house colors that coordinate with the rest of the environment. You’ll want to choose a room color that works with any items in the room that you won’t be replacing, such as the rug. You can use almost any color in any design style, room, or theme. It’s just a matter of finding the perfect shade that works in the context of your home. You’ll even need to consider how much lighting you have in the space.

You can always paint the adjoining room different shades on the same chip for a house that has different wall colors but still work together. Creating a cohesive interior color scheme just takes a little planning.