How to create a colour palette for patterns.

If choosing colours for your patterns feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Colour can feel like one of the most important parts of the design process, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. A well-chosen palette can completely transform a pattern, shifting the mood, energy, and even how usable it is across different contexts.

I’m often complimented on the palettes I use in my own work, but to be honest most of the time they’re not ones I’ve built entirely from scratch (so it feels a little unfair to take the credit!). What I have learned, though, is how to collect, adapt, and refine colours in a way that makes a pattern feel alive, cohesive, and true to my style.

In this post, I’ll share some of the ways I approach finding and working with colour palettes for patterns, to help you create work that feels considered and full of character.

1. Limit your palette

While I do enjoy artwork filled with a wide variety of colour, when creating it myself I can find too many colours overwhelming to my decision-making, and the work can lose clarity (both in form and concept).

So I like to limit a piece or collection to around 3–6 colours that work well together. This helps reduce decision fatigue and makes me focus more on the overall composition. You can absolutely build your own rules here – maybe that means introducing tints and shades for added depth, or keeping things bold and graphic.

Some artists use the same palette across their entire body of work, which becomes part of their recognisable style (like Megan Roy or Tom Froese). There’s no right or wrong – it’s all about what feels right for your process and your unique voice.

2. Don’t be afraid to be inspired

Most of my colour palettes are inspired by existing artwork or design I’ve come across and loved.

I make a habit of saving images when a colour combination catches my eye, then return to them when a project needs some direction. Over time, building up a bank of palettes you love helps you make quicker, more confident choices. I mainly use Pinterest for saving inspo, but also have collections on Instagram.

No one owns colours, so don’t feel guilty for utilising and being inspired by palettes from other artists’ work that resonate with you. Of course, if you’re hoping for your palette to become a recognisable part of your brand, it’s worth putting in the time to tailor something unique – especially if your style overlaps with someone else’s.

3. Play with contrast and hierarchy

As well as looking pretty, a good colour palette can help your composition make sense. Playing with contrast, light vs dark, warm vs cool, bold vs muted, helps bring depth and dimension to your work. It also gives you a way to create visual hierarchy.

For example, a punchy accent colour can help draw attention to a particular detail or focal point, while softer tones can sit back and let the main character shine. Whether you’re working on an illustration, a layout, or a pattern, thinking about how colour guides the eye is a great way to bring clarity and confidence to the piece.

4. Add a murky colour (or one that’s in between)

One of my favourite ways to make a palette feel more grounded and natural is to throw in a slightly “dirty” or desaturated colour. These kinds of tones, like a dusty blue, murky green, or faded mustard, can help balance brighter shades and stop the overall look from feeling too sweet, childish, or flat.

I also love colours that sit between two others. Think purpley-blues, pinky-oranges, yellowy-greens, tones that feel like they’re not quite one thing or the other. These in-between colours often add richness and surprise, and they can tie a palette together in a way that feels really satisfying.

5. Consider end use

Be clear about how and where your work will be used. This will determine whether you need to work in a CMYK (print) or RGB (digital) colour space. It might not always have a huge impact, but planning for it early helps avoid disappointment.

There’s nothing worse than crafting something full of zingy reds or sunny yellows, only to find out it’s being printed and those colours fall flat. A bit of forward-thinking can help you create a palette that’s both beautiful and functional.