10 Colourful Houses to Inspire Your Next Interior

Coloured fixtures are at the heart of what we do, so a colourful house is something we’ll always champion. Spanning styles, eras, and design sensibilities, these interiors embrace colour fully, from bright mosaics and deep greens to blue bathrooms and unexpected pops throughout.

We’ve rounded up 10 projects that experiment with colour creatively, exploring how thoughtful combinations bring personality, depth and character to interior spaces. Whether you want a subtle hint of colour or a more expressive palette, these homes offer plenty of inspiration for your own.

With a reputation for reinterpreting Melbourne’s Art Deco and modernist legacy through bold forms and vibrant colour, WOWOWA Architecture applies its playful design approach to Presto, a clinker brick home given a contemporary twist. The project balances traditional architectural character with unexpected combinations, creating interiors that feel both familiar and refreshingly individual.

In the kitchen, deep coral pinks and pastel blues create a playful contrast, complemented by brushed copper tapware that adds warmth and depth. It’s a reminder that traditional interiors need not be restrained, particularly when unexpected hues and warm metallics are in the mix.

Working within the constraints of a small Victorian home renovated in the 1980s, Carmel Wylie of GIA Renovations approached Brunswick East with clarity and intent. A statement wallpaper mural establishes the visual direction, while a moody palette and brushed brass finishes create depth and cohesion without overwhelming the compact footprint.

In the bathroom, glossy tiles reflect light across the shower, contrasting with the rich tones and natural variation of red travertine. The space demonstrates how colour, pattern and materiality can transform a smaller interior, creating a sense of richness that extends well beyond its dimensions.

Drawing on the nostalgia of 1970s Australian surf culture, Halse Lodge embraces colour as a defining feature of its heritage restoration. Set within the rainforest on the fringe of Noosa Heads, the 1880s guesthouse retains the original green, red and yellow interiors of its three heritage buildings. Rather than introducing an entirely new palette, designers Chloe of CLO Studios and Tom of TCASA Projects worked with these existing hues, celebrating the building’s history while giving each space a renewed sense of character.

Across the interiors, saturated colours bring warmth and individuality, complemented by patterned mosaic tiles, ornate detailing and the curved forms of our Kingsley Provincial Collection in chrome. The polished metallic finish offers a contemporary counterpoint to the nostalgic palette, allowing the colours to remain the focus. The result is a heritage restoration that embraces its past with confidence, proving that sometimes the most compelling colour scheme is one that already belongs.

Inspired by the Palm Springs aesthetic of the late 1960s and 70s, Arcadia reinterprets mid-century modern design through a warmer, more understated palette. The four-bedroom home was designed by TMD Constructions’ Taylor Davies and his partner Brooke Fullick, who sought to move beyond the bright-white interiors often associated with coastal living. Instead, rich timber tones, cork tiles and natural finishes establish a sense of warmth, drawing on the earthy hues and relaxed sophistication of desert modernism.

Here, colour is expressed through texture and tonal depth rather than bold, saturated hues. Walnut cabinetry, rendered surfaces and warm timber details create contrast against lighter finishes, while Japanese minimalism informs the home’s restrained aesthetic. Arcadia shows that the interplay of earthy tones, natural materials and subtle contrasts is enough to create an interior that feels both timeless and distinctly individual.

Inspired by the opulence of New York’s boutique hotels, The Savoy brings mid-century design and Hollywood glamour together in a richly layered Gold Coast home. Owner-builders Perri and Eddie Beith of Beith Building and Developments created a four-bedroom residence where every room offers a distinct visual experience. From the deep maroon front door and walnut timber panelling to the expressive veining of natural stone, a rich palette of tones and textures establishes a sense of drama, warmth and sophistication.

Colour is introduced through architectural details and carefully selected furnishings, balancing deeper hues with softer accents. A pink velvet armchair in the entryway provides a playful contrast to the surrounding stone and timber, setting the tone for the home’s blend of glamour and warmth. With every room offering its own character, The Savoy takes inspiration from the world of boutique hospitality, showing how a confident mix of colour, texture and era can make everyday living feel a little more extraordinary.

Located in Peckham, London, Symposion House reimagines a Victorian townhouse through warm minimalism, natural materials and contemporary craftsmanship. Architect Benjamin Wilkes has created a home that balances understated finishes with expressive details, pairing oak cabinetry, microcement surfaces and curved marble with a colourful palette of earthy tones. 

In the kitchen, a curved oak island topped with marble anchors the space, complemented by brushed copper tapware and a bold red built-in banquette. Symposion House shows how colour can be introduced through a single confident accent, adding depth and individuality without compromising a minimalist aesthetic.

Perched above the lush canopy of Currumbin Hinterland, The Surrounds pairs a restrained architectural palette with surprising moments of colour and pattern. Owners Jake Cumberland and Dakota Hallett reimagined an existing home as a contemporary treehouse, preserving its original character while introducing an abundance of natural light. Crisp white timber battens, warm timber details and travertine establish an organic foundation, while orange and green tiles bring a vibrant contrast to the bathrooms, complemented by bold marble with expressive veining.

The earthy orange and verdant green create a natural connection to the surrounding landscape, while the statement marble introduces further depth and visual interest. Elsewhere, soft textiles and muted hues maintain a sense of calm, allowing the more adventurous finishes to stand out. It’s a thoughtful balance of bold and understated, showing how a colourful house can take cues from nature while making room for a few unexpected design decisions.

The Courtyard House brings an eclectic sensibility to mid-century modern design, combining natural materials with a lively mix of colour. While brick, travertine, walnut timber and cork establish a warm, earthy foundation, the bathrooms introduce a more expressive palette. Blue tiles bring freshness and continuity throughout, punctuated by a statement red basin and terrazzo surfaces that add further colour and variation.

Beyond the bathrooms, the palette shifts from peachy pink bedrooms to soft green, giving each space a distinct identity. The result is a home that embraces a mix-and-match approach without feeling disjointed, offering inspiration for those who prefer to give every room its own colour story rather than follow a single scheme throughout.

Overlooking the calm waters of Cudgen Lake on the NSW Tweed Coast, The Lakehouse combines organic architecture with the vibrant energy of 1970s design. Owners Benson and Samantha drew inspiration from the surrounding paperbark trees, translating their earthy browns and greens into a palette of natural stone, timber and limewashed walls. Against this understated foundation, colour takes on a more expressive role, from the sage green spiral staircase and orange accent chairs to the warm blush veining of the Monreale marble kitchen island.

The wet areas offer a more adventurous take on colour, with each space embracing its own palette. Blush pink stone tiles meet avocado green cabinetry in the laundry, while pastel pink and orange define one bathroom and blue-and-white checkerboard tiles bring a nostalgic touch to the boys’ shared bathroom. The Lakehouse demonstrates how a colourful house can feel both connected to its environment and full of personality, with a distinctly retro sensibility running through every space.

While the exterior of this 1930s London terrace retains its traditional character, the interiors tell a different story. Owner Mariam has reimagined the home through a layered mix of period references, contemporary details and Art Deco influences, creating spaces that feel both nostalgic and distinctly individual.

In the entryway, peachy-pink walls complement the herringbone flooring, while teal accents emerge through the arched detailing. At the rear of the home, the kitchen shifts to a lighter, more pared-back aesthetic, with pink walls, terrazzo benchtops and vibrant accessories adding colour against the natural light. Scalloped cabinetry details and frosted, ribbed glass bring a final nod to the home’s Art Deco influence, tying its varied design elements together.

From coral pink and brushed copper to earthy greens, vibrant orange and nostalgic checkerboard tiles, these homes prove there’s no single way to bring colour into an interior. It can be bold and unapologetic, soft and understated, or woven through the finer details of a space.

The key is finding a palette that feels right for you, whether that means committing to colour from floor to ceiling or starting with a statement basin, a set of coloured tiles or a favourite finish. After all, a colourful house should be just that: a reflection of the people who call it home.

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