Two common misconceptions about decorating in a monochromatic palette are that it means only beige, or that it means using only one hue throughout a room without variation. Actually, any color can be used—pink, orange, blue, you name it—and while monochrome does mean one color, that doesn’t mean only one variation of that color. For example, a room might be decorated with navy, robin’s egg blue, palest sky blue, periwinkle, and cadet blue, yet it’s still monochromatic because all are variations of blue. Nor does monochromatic mean every single surface of a room must be the same color—you can use white or other neutrals to back your primary hue. In fact, the orange room shown here shows off quite a bit of white on the bed, but the vast majority of the room is colored in various shades of cheerful orange. Take a look at the bedrooms featured here. All are monochromatic, yet none are the same color, and none, most definitely, are monotonous. Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.
