Regency Paint Colours

Tired of contemporary colour palettes? Looking to move on from a mid-century aesthetic and embrace a more opulent interior? It’s time to get acquainted with Regency-era paint colours. 

The Regency period was an interesting time in British history. Named for the regency of George III, it loosely refers to the time between the late 1700s and 1837. Interior design underwent an evolution during this period, with many homes adopting a more informal approach. 

Wall panelling, a favourite during the Georgian era, was falling out of favour, with a new focus on painted finishes, wallpaper, and surface treatments. Once-limited paint palettes were invigorated by the arrival of stunning new pigments like celestial blue, along with vibrant greens, rose pinks, warm yellows, and more. 

Ready to bring some Regency refinement to your interiors? At Johnstone’s, you’ll find an extensive range of classic Regency paint colours offering excellent coverage at a price you’ll love. 

An Introduction to Regency Decor

The interiors of Regency times might have been less formal than those found in the Georgian era, but elegance was still the order of the day. Formal decorating was still in, but there was a fresh focus on refined textiles, exotic ornaments, and vibrant wall colours. 

Rather than floor-to-ceiling wall panelling, it was becoming commonplace for walls to be painted with a single colour. While many muted hues from the Georgian palette remained popular, old favourites were joined by more uplifting shades and daring pigments that had never been seen in British homes before. 

However, other wall treatments were also finding fans. A hallmark of Regency decor was the advent of wallpaper. Intricate floral patterns were the preference of many, while damask wallpapers offered a more dramatic alternative. 

Many furniture trends established during the Georgian period carried over into the Regency era. Although interior design was generally becoming more relaxed, sophistication and splendour remained the benchmark. Neo-classical furniture became the norm, with premium veneers and hand-painted finishes becoming sought-after. In an age of discovery and international trade, Regency interiors were also becoming filled with ornamental pieces, fabrics, and furnishings from far-flung corners of the globe. 

Classic Colours from the Regency Era

Looking to create a Regency-inspired interior in your home? You’ll need to assemble some authentic Regency period paint colours first. Need some pointers on which paints to use? We’ve picked out some suitable shades from our collection that you can add to your period-appropriate colour palette. 

If you’re struggling to nail down the perfect signature colour for a Regency-inspired scheme, make life easy for yourself by going with cream hues. Perfect for small rooms and spacious interiors alike, cream paint colours bring you the space-enhancing benefits of pure white while softening the sharper edges of your interior. 

Looking for the perfect anchor for an authentic Georgian scheme? Try a shade like Peach Pudding. This sandy red is a versatile neutral that will prove welcome in any room. It might look understated, but those fiery undertones make it a surprisingly balmy choice that will energise your palette and bring essential warmth to your space. 

If you’re interested in a more luxurious Georgian colour scheme, think about weaving Glazed Pears into your palette. This caramel yellow will instantly uplift your scheme, with its bronzed qualities bringing an unmistakable sense of sophistication. Accentuate and enhance those bronze undertones by choosing ornate metallics when selecting room accessories. 

Earthy tones have been a popular interior design choice for centuries. If you’re keen to create a calmer, more relaxing ambience with your Georgian-inspired makeover, think about adding some light brown tones to your room palette. 

If you want to saturate your room with a richer shade, go with a paint colour like Writing Table. With its brown sugar hues and neutral base, this woody beige will make a fine backdrop for living rooms or dining spaces. Alternatively, use it to transform a high-ceilinged spare room into an elegant home office. 

For a more pared-back aesthetic, go with off-whites infused with earthy undertones. A peachy white like Mountain Goat is a good option, with its lighter pigment helping open up a smaller space. Its brown undertones will help ground your decor scheme, while also giving you a firm foundation for introducing darker hues to your palette. 

Pale greens were a staple of Regency interiors and you can introduce this timeless colour to your interior to recreate that period aesthetic. Perfect for bringing a sense of serenity to any space, you can use light greens in just about every corner of the home. 

Searching for a stylish green to refresh a larger living space or dining room? A spring green like Brainstorm is an ideal pick. As it’s fairly pale, it’s a good swap for standard white, while its grey undertones make a cool addition to your palette. 

For a more sophisticated makeover, think about using a glass bottle green like Boulder Lichen. This dignified hue will make a welcome addition to dining rooms, helping accentuate period-era details and intricate architectural details. A neutral base makes it a good choice for rooms of any size, especially more compact spaces that need opening up. 

Blues were a favourite during the Regency era and are an authentic choice if you’re looking to recreate the grandeur of the period in your home. While many other Regency colours were fairly muted, designers of the day weren’t afraid of embracing bolder hues when using blue. 

To make an impression in your home, go with something like Suenos. This misty midtone purple has a regal quality about it, while an infusion of periwinkle pigment means there’s plenty of blue to enjoy. 

For something more traditional, try a shade like Harbor Sky. This shaded baby blue will work in living spaces, dining rooms, and bathrooms alike. Looking for the perfect hue for your bedroom? Thanks to its foggy qualities, this baby blue is an ideal pick for your sleep sanctuary. 

Greys are a good choice if you’re looking for the perfect balance between Regency-era elegance and contemporary cool. A stylish alternative to classic white, greys are ideal if you’re looking to accentuate ornate details typical of Regency period interiors. 

Why not try a hue like Fall Chill? This mauve grey has plenty of depth, with its warm purple undertones making it a refined addition to a period palette. There’s also a hint of magenta, providing you with plenty of punchy pigment that you can build upon with accent colours and room furnishings. 

Looking for something a little more restrained? How about Shale Rock? This delicate grey can be used instead of pure white in smaller spaces, but it’s also an eye-catching option for grander spaces. Purple undertones are on hand to add depth, while also giving you a starting point if you’re struggling to select accent colours.