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Consider Your Surroundings(2 of 3)

3. Take a cue from nature
Colors found together in the environment are almost always a sure bet inside your home. Beachy hues such as the creamy buff of the sand, the deep aquamarine of the sea, the blue of the sky and the gray of the cliffs look beautiful together.

4. Consider color in context
Think about the setting that color combinations have to work in — that is, in your home and around you. Take note of the color and style of your furnishings, the quality of the light coming in through the windows and the function of the room.

Blue and green is a serene combo for a bedroom, for instance, but it might be cold and dreary if the windows face north or if natural light is lacking. Bright red and yellow, on the other hand, are cheerful in the kitchen but can be overwhelming in the living room. Likewise, monochromatic schemes work well in contemporary homes, but they can be a bit dull with classic architecture. Think about the color combos you enjoy wearing. "If you look and feel good with those colors on, you'll like them around you," says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.