How to Decorate with Jewel Tones Like a Designer

While muted pastels and soothing neutrals have been all the rage in color trends these days, there's another group of hues that are preparing to take over: jewel tones. Jewel tone colors are those derived and/or named after gemstones and jewels, like sapphire blue, emerald green, and ruby red. The colors, vibrant and deep, are the opposite of pastels. These hues are known for their richness and depth, and they're ideal for making spaces like bedrooms and dens feel cozy or adding drama to small spaces like powder rooms.

Jewel tones are more versatile than you might think. In fact, jewel tone colors can be "inviting, captivating, and luxurious," says Natalie Ebel, cofounder of the paint company Backdrop. Backdrop recently announced a collaboration with Porsche that unveiled four new paint colors, all of which happen to be jewel tones: a rich green, fuchsia, yellow, and blue, all intended to be modern takes on heritage Porsche colors. Which is to say that Ebel has spent a lot of time contemplating jewel tones recently.

One potential pitfall is that decorating with jewel tones can easily make a space lean too dark or powerful, says Ebel. That's why she says it's important to pay attention to balance when using jewel tone colors in larger spaces. "I think any color can be modern depending on how you apply it and design the space," she says. "To make jewel tones feel modern, I would pair them with neutral colors and incorporate sleek textures and clean lines to create a balanced look."

Here's another designer trick of the trade: Use the color wheel to your advantage. Every color has a complement for a reason. Blue and orange are a natural pairing, as are violet and yellow and red and green. You can build a room off these pairings by layering in patterns and textures.

Ahead, we highlight eight ways to decorate with jewel tones. including tips for incorporating them in your existing decor.