How to choose paint colours for a period property

Choosing paint colours for a period property is an opportunity to explore the relationship between architecture, history and colour. From the restrained interiors of medieval houses to the elaborate decorative schemes of the Georgian era and the richer palettes of Victorian homes, every period has its own approach to decoration.

As an architectural historian and interior designer, Edward Bulmer has spent decades researching historic interiors and the colours used within them. His natural paint collection draws on this knowledge, using earth and mineral pigments to recreate the character and beauty of traditional colour.

Whether you’re restoring a listed building or simply want to choose colours that complement your home’s original features, understanding its architectural period is a wonderful place to begin.

Why historic paint colours are different

For centuries, paint colours were created using naturally occurring earth and mineral pigments. The materials available, their cost and the techniques used to apply them all influenced the appearance of historic interiors.

With the development of synthetic pigments and modern paint chemistry, the range of available colours expanded enormously. Today, it’s possible to approximate almost any historic shade, but the pigments and binders used can make a considerable difference to how a colour appears on the wall.

At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, we use a carefully selected palette of earth and mineral pigments to create colours with the richness and variation associated with traditional decoration.

Of course, choosing a historically appropriate colour doesn’t mean your home has to become a museum. Edward’s advice is to begin with the building’s architecture, then consider how you want to live in it.

Medieval interiors: 15th century

In medieval houses, wall finishes were often relatively simple, particularly outside the grandest interiors. Limewashed surfaces and pale, earthy tones provided a backdrop to timber, stone and textiles.

For a medieval property, Edward recommends beginning with warm whites and gently tinted neutrals rather than introducing too many strong wall colours.

Plain White, Fine White and Dove are useful starting points, allowing the character of the building’s materials and construction to remain prominent.

Richness can then be introduced through tapestries, rugs, upholstery and other furnishings.

Tudor interiors: 16th century

Tudor interiors were often more colourful than we might imagine, particularly in wealthy households where painted decoration, stencilling and elaborate textiles could be found.

However, in more modest homes, pale plaster walls and exposed timber remained common.

For a sympathetic Tudor scheme, consider the soft, slightly tinted whites of Milk White or French Grey, which sit comfortably alongside dark timber and traditional materials.

Rather than automatically painting exposed beams, consider their condition, history and existing finish. In a listed building, any proposed treatment should be approached with particular care.

Stuart interiors: 17th century

During the Stuart period, painted panelling became an increasingly important feature of fashionable interiors.

Earth pigments provided many of the more affordable colours, making browns, greys and muted neutrals familiar choices. In grander houses, more expensive pigments and decorative techniques introduced richer blues and elaborate finishes intended to imitate marble or precious timber.

For a 17th-century interior, Lute and London Brown offer an earthy foundation, while Lead Colour provides a more restrained alternative.

A richer blue such as Azurite can be particularly effective in a room with substantial architectural detailing.

Early Georgian interiors: George I and George II

In the early 18th century, painted timber panelling remained a defining feature of Georgian interiors.

Rooms were often decorated using a relatively limited range of practical colours, sometimes known as the common colours. These included greys, stone shades and earth-based neutrals, while more expensive schemes could incorporate greens and other fashionable hues.

One particularly useful detail to remember is that panelling was frequently painted in a single colour from floor to ceiling, rather than having its mouldings picked out in white.

For an early Georgian room, Drab Green or Eau de Nile can make a beautiful choice for panelling. Lute offers a more neutral approach, while Sang de Boeuf introduces a richer, more dramatic note.

Late Georgian interiors: George III

The later Georgian period saw a more elaborate use of colour, particularly in interiors influenced by architects such as Robert and James Adam.

As decorative plasterwork became increasingly intricate, designers used contrasting colours to distinguish architectural elements and create carefully balanced schemes.

Soft blues and greens were especially popular, often accompanied by pale ornament, while richer reds and purples appeared in more decorative settings.

Aerial Tint and Verdigris offer two different approaches to historic blue-green, while Pea Green brings freshness to a room with classical detailing.

For a more dramatic scheme, Etruscan Brown can provide a wonderful contrast to pale architectural features.

Regency interiors: early 19th century

The Regency period embraced colour with remarkable confidence.

Under the influence of the Prince Regent, later George IV, interiors became increasingly adventurous, drawing inspiration from classical antiquity and decorative traditions from around the world.

The Royal Pavilion at Brighton remains one of the most spectacular examples of this enthusiasm for colour and ornament.

Blues, greens and yellows became important elements of fashionable decoration, alongside specialist painted finishes designed to imitate costly materials.

For a Regency-inspired interior, consider French Blue or Aquatic for an elegant yet expressive scheme. Invisible Green can introduce a more dramatic effect, while Ochre offers the richness of a traditional earth pigment.

If you prefer a softer palette, Fawn provides a versatile starting point.

Victorian interiors: 19th century

Victorian interiors embraced an increasingly diverse range of colours and decorative influences.

Advances in pigment manufacture expanded the palette available to decorators, while the Gothic Revival, Arts and Crafts movement and growing interest in historical styles all influenced domestic interiors.

Deeper greens, reds and browns became particularly characteristic of many Victorian schemes, often used alongside patterned wallpapers, dark timber and richly coloured fabrics.

Light Olive Green and Invisible Green work beautifully in rooms with Victorian joinery, while Clove and London Brown offer more earthy alternatives.

For a stronger decorative statement, Laylock can introduce an unexpected richness.

Victorian rooms also offer plenty of opportunities to experiment with painted ceilings and contrasting woodwork, rather than defaulting to white throughout.

Edwardian and early 20th-century interiors

As the 20th century began, interior decoration moved between the earthy colours associated with Arts and Crafts design and the cleaner, more streamlined approaches of Art Deco and Modernism.

Edwardian interiors often favoured lighter, fresher schemes than those associated with the late Victorian period, although colour choices varied considerably according to the architecture and the tastes of the occupants.

For an Edwardian home, Dove and Aerial Tint can create an elegant, understated backdrop, while Buff and Ochre introduce a more traditional warmth.

Lead Colour is another useful option, particularly where you want to highlight original joinery or architectural details.

How to bring historic colour into a contemporary home

A period property doesn’t need to be decorated exclusively in colours associated with its date of construction.

In fact, some of the most successful interiors combine historic architecture with a more personal, contemporary approach to colour.

You might choose a deep green for Georgian panelling, a fresh blue for a Victorian bedroom or a rich yellow for a small Tudor sitting room. The important thing is to consider how the colour works with the proportions, materials and natural light of the space.

It’s also worth looking beyond the walls. Painting woodwork and architectural details in complementary or contrasting colours can bring out the character of a room, while colour drenching can create a wonderfully unified effect.

Edward’s collection is designed to make these combinations feel natural, with colours developed from a shared palette of earth and mineral pigments.

Choosing the right paint for historic walls

Colour is only part of the consideration when decorating a period property. The paint itself must also be appropriate for the building.

Many older properties have traditional lime plaster and solid masonry walls that need to allow moisture to move through their surfaces.

Conventional paints containing acrylic or vinyl binders can form relatively resistant films, potentially restricting moisture movement where a highly breathable finish is required.

Our natural emulsion is made with a plant-based binder and is highly vapour-permeable, making it particularly well suited to appropriately prepared traditional plaster.

For woodwork, the choice of finish should take account of the surface, its condition and any existing coatings.

If you’re working on a listed building or undertaking a significant restoration, we’d always recommend checking the requirements of the building and seeking specialist advice before decorating.

Expert colour advice for period properties

Choosing colours for an entire period home can feel daunting, particularly when you’re balancing historic features with contemporary furnishings and the practical needs of everyday life.

Our colour consultants are trained in Edward’s approach to colour and can help you create a palette that complements your property’s architecture while reflecting your own taste.

Whether you’re restoring a Georgian townhouse, decorating a Victorian terrace or bringing new life to a country cottage, explore our colour consultancy services for expert guidance.