Period & Historic Paint Colours
An Architect's Guide to Colour for Traditional & Heritage Homes
Choosing colour for a period property is different from choosing for a new-build. The proportions are different, the light falls differently, and the materials — lime plaster, solid brick, exposed timber — ask for paints and shades that work with the building rather than against it.
As a chartered architect specialising in heritage and conservation, I help owners of traditional homes choose colours that feel true to their building's era while suiting the way they live today. Below are four palettes drawn from the defining architectural periods — a considered starting point whether you're restoring a period property or simply drawn to timeless interiors.
Every colour shown is available in Earthborn Claypaint — a highly breathable, ultra-flat emulsion ideal for lime plaster and older, solid-walled properties. (For more on why breathable paint matters in a traditional building, see our guide to breathable paint for period buildings.)
The Four Period Palettes
Georgian (1714–1837)
Soft, light-filled elegance. The Georgian interior was built on balance, symmetry and proportion — high ceilings, ornate architraves, and a refined palette of soft sky blues, gentle pastels, peachy tones and warm earthy neutrals. Pair with off-white woodwork to bring cornices and decorative plasterwork to life.
Victorian (1837–1901)
Rich, moody and confident. Victorian interiors embraced deep, saturated colour — burgundies, forest greens and dramatic blues — for a sense of warmth, luxury and nobility. A palette for bold, enveloping rooms with real character.
Edwardian (1901–1910)
Lighter and calmer than the Victorian era before it. Edwardian homes were designed to maximise natural light, favouring soft creams, gentle greys, muted greens and warm neutrals — fresh, welcoming and quietly elegant.
Art Deco (1919–1939)
Glamour, geometry and drama. The Art Deco interior paired rich jewel tones — deep teals, burnt oranges, elegant purples — with charcoal, black and metallic accents for high-contrast, luxurious spaces full of confidence.
Choosing the Right Colour for Your Period Home
A few principles I return to when advising on colour for a traditional property:
Start with what's fixed. The colour of your floor, brick, stone, timber and any exposed materials sets the palette. Choose paint to sit with these, not fight them.
Consider orientation. North-facing rooms benefit from warmer, more enveloping shades so they feel cosy rather than cold; south-facing rooms can take cooler or more saturated colours.
Think about the whole room. In low-ceilinged, beamed or character-rich rooms, "colour drenching" — taking one shade across walls and ceiling — often works far better than a white ceiling, which can read as a harsh lid. It makes a room feel calmer, larger and more intentional.
Always try samples on the wall. Colour shifts with the light through the day and changes next to whatever sits beside it. Live with a sample for a few days before committing.
Would you like personal advice on colours for your period property? As a chartered architect specialising in heritage and conservation, I'm happy to help. Get in touch.
The Architect's Paint Shop · Earthborn eco paint specialists · Colyton, East Devon