
Above: Cornish artists John Dyer and Joanne Short pictured at Porthcurno with details of Cornish thrift and a cream tea to create a palette of Cornwall colours.
If you want to bring the beauty of Cornwall into your home this guide to Cornwall colours will show you how. Learn about the distinctive hues and how to use them to create a serene, vibrant, and cohesive decor inspired by Cornwall’s landscapes.
Buy Art Inspired by Cornwall Colours Online
Key Takeaways
-
Cornwall’s colour palette is inspired by its diverse landscape, blending serene coastal blues, soft light, and vibrant hues to create a calming home environment.
-
Incorporating specific colours like oceanic blues, clotted cream whites, and strawberry jam reds can evoke the tranquillity and vibrancy of Cornwall’s natural and cultural heritage.
-
Utilising art from local Cornish artists can enhance your decor and bring authentic elements of Cornwall’s beauty into your living space.
The Essence of Cornwall and its Colours
Above: Artist John Dyer and Joanne Short in St Ives
Cornwall’s landscape is a natural tapestry of colours, blending soft neutrals with vivid hues, each telling a story of the region’s unique beauty. The turquoise iridescence of St Ives’ sea and the brightly coloured boats of Falmouth are just a couple of examples of the vibrant palette that defines this picturesque county. Each hue captures a different aspect of Cornish life, from tranquil south coastal views to the dynamic elements of the sea on the north coast.
Decorating a home with a Cornwall-inspired palette can create a serene, cohesive environment that mirrors the coastal landscape. Imagine walls adorned with high-quality prints of Holywell Bay, Gwithian and Fistral Beach in Newquay where natural wildlife and joyful atmospheres are encapsulated in vivid detail. The artworks of John Dyer, Joanne Short, and Ted Dyer, made on archival paper with museum-quality inks, can bring the essence of Cornwall into any living space.
Selecting colours that mirror Cornwall’s landscape creates a home environment that feels both calming and invigorating. The combination of soft whites, ocean blues, and calming greens can transport you to the Cornish coast, filling your home with the beauty and charm of this beloved region and creating a beach house effect.
Coastal Blues
Above: Cornish artist John Dyer captures the coastal blues of the island of Tresco in Cornwall. Buy signed limited edition prints of Tresco by John Dyer online.
The coastal blues of Cornwall capture the region’s vibrant relationship with the sea, sky, and land. These shades of blue can create a calming atmosphere in your home, reminding you of the serene Cornish coast. Whether it’s the deep blues that mimic the ocean’s depths or the lighter blues inspired by the clear skies, these colours can enhance the feeling of spaciousness and brightness in any room.
Decorating your interior with varying shades of blue can effectively bring the serene essence of Cornwall’s coastal landscape into your home. From painting walls to incorporating blue textiles and decor items, these hues can transform your living space into a tranquil retreat that echoes the beauty of the sea and sky.
Oceanic Hues
Deep blues associated with the ocean can create a tranquil and sophisticated atmosphere in home interiors. These oceanic hues are an essential part of the palette, evoking a calming and serene environment that reflects the natural beauty of the sea. Consider painting accent walls or incorporating deep blue textiles to bring these oceanic hues into your home.
Above: Ted Dyer open edition fine-art prints pictured in a beach house setting. Buy Ted Dyer prints online.
Using deep blues reminiscent of the ocean can help create a sense of peace and relaxation in any room. These hues can be particularly effective in bedrooms and living areas, where a calming atmosphere is desired.
Above: Night paintings by John Dyer on a dark wall
Try introducing artwork with dark nighttime skies to compliment the walls and add to the relaxing atmosphere.
Sky Blues
The sky over Cornwall has a unique blue hue that artists have sought to capture for generations. Light blue shades inspired by these clear skies can enhance the feeling of openness and freshness in your home, making spaces feel more airy and bright.
Incorporating sky blues and creating a theme in your decor can help evoke the expansive, tranquil beauty of a Cornish sky.
Nature's Palette
Above: Cornish artist John Dyer on the cliffs below Zennor in Cornwall, gathering inspiration for his new paintings of Cornwall. The website https://coolors.co/image-picker allows you to sample colours from your mages for interior design ideas.
The colour palette of Cornwall is deeply influenced by the area’s unique landscapes, including its seas, skies, and moors. Each colour within this palette is inspired by specific local features, creating a rich tapestry that tells the story of Cornwall’s natural and cultural heritage. From the vivid colours found on fishing boats in the harbours and colourful Cornish art to the striking scenery, these hues reflect the vibrant lifestyle of Cornwall.
Nature’s palette in Cornwall includes a range of colours that can be seamlessly integrated into home decor. Drawing inspiration from the natural world creates a living space that feels both grounded and vibrant, reflecting the beauty of Cornwall’s diverse landscapes.
Clotted Cream Whites
Above: John Dyer painting 'Moonlit Journey, Botallack' set against a Cornish clotted cream-coloured decor.
Cornwall’s famous clotted cream is a warm, rich inspiration for selecting soft, creamy whites in home decor. These whites are often described as soft and inviting, evoking the calm and warmth of the Cornish landscape. Incorporating these creamy whites can create a fresh and timeless aesthetic, harmonising with other coastal colours in your home.
Clotted cream whites in your decor can help create a serene and cohesive environment. These hues are perfect for creating a calming backdrop that allows other colours to shine, making them an ideal choice for walls, furniture, and textiles. A beach-house style environment with cream and white walls lends itself to artworks featuring Cornish blues and sea green turquoise colours.
Above: Ted Dyer's painting of Hayle featuring a Cornish palette of clotted creams and sea blues.
Sea Thrift Pinks

Above: a Beachy white room with accents of pink picked out from the Joanne Short painting of Sea pinks
Sea thrift, commonly found along the Cornish coast, features delicate pink flowers that flourish in coastal environments. The pinks of sea thrift serve as a charming representation of the natural beauty of Cornwall, often capturing the attention of both locals and visitors walking the Cornish coast path.
Incorporating sea thrift pinks into the design can bring freshness and a sense of calm to spaces, evoking the tranquillity of the coastal landscape. Maybe a pale pink scatter cushion or throw could be added to a predominantly creamy white space.
Above: 'Sea Pinks and Daisies, St Anthony Lighthouse', 18x18 inches by Joanne Short
Using sea thrift pinks in your home decor can add a touch of softness and elegance. These hues can be particularly effective in bedrooms and living areas, where a calming and inviting atmosphere is desired.
The Vibrant Life of Cornwall
Above: 'Afternoon Tea at the Hotel, Fowey'. Limited Edition Print by Cornish Artist Joanne Short
Cornwall’s vibrant life is illustrated by its rich foods, such as locally produced strawberry jam that celebrates bright red hues and the orange of crab and lobster dishes. The palette includes colours that evoke the feelings and stories associated with Cornwall’s cultural and natural heritage. From the vibrant reds of strawberry jam to the iridescent colours of local fish, these hues can bring a sense of vitality and energy to your home.
Incorporating the vibrant colours of Cornwall into your decor can help create a lively and dynamic environment. These hues can be used to create focal points and add a touch of Cornwall’s vibrant life to any room.
Strawberry Jam Reds
Using splashes of strawberry jam reds in your home decor can add a touch of warmth and richness. These hues can be particularly effective in kitchens and dining areas, where they can evoke the warmth and bounty of Cornwall’s agricultural heritage. Just a tiny splash of colour can brighten a cool room.
Fish Scales and Colours
Above: John Dyer original painting 'Ferries, Fish and Fun on the Water', four panels painted in acrylic measuring 25x19.5 inches in total (9x12 inches each). Buy online.
Local fish from Cornwall display a spectrum of iridescent colours that can inspire creative design elements. The diverse fish species in Cornwall showcase a range of iridescent colours in their scales, which can influence design inspiration.
Incorporating these iridescent colours into your decor can add a touch of sparkle and vibrancy to any room.
Seasonal Changes
Selecting the right hues can be guided by the unique light of Cornwall, which enhances light-reflecting colours and surfaces. To achieve a harmonious design, consider the balance between vibrant and muted tones found in the Cornwall region. Combining rich, warm colours with natural textures can create a harmonious atmosphere reminiscent of Cornwall’s landscape.
Incorporating seasonal changes into your decor creates a dynamic and ever-evolving environment. From the vibrant colours of spring blooms to the warm, earthy tones of autumn and the soft light of a sea fret as it wafts across a beach, these hues can help reflect the natural beauty of Cornwall throughout the year.
Spring and Summer Blooms
Spring heralds a vibrant transformation in Cornwall, where the fresh, bright colours of flowers bring the landscape to life. Sea thrift, known for its round pink blossoms, thrives in coastal areas, adding delicate hues to the landscape from late spring to summer.
Incorporating the soft pink hues of sea thrift, the bright pinks of campion or the stunning blues of the bluebells, all growing on the coast, into home decor can evoke the freshness of spring, making for a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.
Above: A selection of flowers painted by artist Joanne Short
In the summer, the coast becomes a palette of extraordinary colour with poppies covering headlands, yellow and pink Hottentots on clifftops and agapanthus hugging the footpaths.
Autumn Tones
In autumn, warm and earthy colours dominate Cornwall’s landscape, inviting the use of deep reds and oranges in home design. Autumn is characterized by warm, earthy hues, which can be translated into cosy home decor through colour palettes inspired by the landscape. Using warm, earthy colours and natural elements in decor can effectively convey the essence of autumn in your home.
Above: Original Painting by Joanne Short. Summer Sunset, Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall. 18 x 18 inches oil on canvas
Incorporating these autumn tones can create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for the cooler months. These hues can be used to create a warm and welcoming environment that reflects the beauty of Cornwall’s autumn landscape.
Creating a Cornwall-Inspired Home
The soft whites found in Cornwall’s clotted cream are both warm and inviting, often used in interior design to create a calming atmosphere. Spring in Cornwall introduces vibrant hues from flowers such as poppies and daffodils, which can inspire fresh and uplifting home decor. The transition of seasons in Cornwall brings a variety of colours that can inspire home decor adjustments, enhancing the ambience of spaces.
Drawing inspiration from Cornwall’s natural beauty creates a home that feels both calming and invigorating. Whether you’re incorporating soft whites or the vibrant hues of spring flowers, these colours can help create a space that reflects the charm and beauty of Cornwall.
Colour Samples and Swatches

Choosing paint samples that mimic the hues found in Cornwall’s natural scenery can help in selecting the ideal colours. When selecting colour samples, consider the temperature, depth, and clarity of the hues to ensure they align with Cornwall’s aesthetic. Selecting a range of colour samples can help in identifying hues that resonate with Cornwall’s landscape without overwhelming the space.

Experimenting with different samples and swatches helps find the perfect colours for a Cornwall-inspired home.
Combining Colours
Understanding how colours interact with each other ensures they complement rather than clash, creating a harmonious look in your home. Cornwall’s unique colour palette, inspired by its landscape and seascape, can be used to evoke a sense of peace and relaxation in your living spaces. When selecting colours, consider the emotional response they evoke, as certain combinations can enhance feelings of comfort and joy.
Experimenting with various shades of blue, green, and soft earthy tones allows for a balanced and visually appealing colour scheme that reflects Cornwall’s natural beauty. Incorporating pops of vibrant colours, like the deep reds and pinks inspired by local produce, can create focal points within a more muted colour palette.
Visualising colour combinations can be simplified by creating mood boards or using digital tools to see how different hues can work together in your space.
Stories of Cornwall
Local traditions such as Tom Bawcock’s Eve celebrate the bravery of a fisherman who saved Mousehole from famine, connecting the community through shared history. Many visitors fondly remember indulging in local foods, like Cornish pasties and scones, which add to the emotional connection to the region. The annual Christmas illuminations in Mousehole are a significant event that brings together locals and tourists, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Cornish artist John Dyer touches on many of these stories in his paintings which tell stories of their own and will always add a certain splash of colour into your room which you will love.. His paintings evoke memories of fun times in Cornwall and will always be a reminder of your time spent there.
Above: 'Enjoying the Day's Catch, Cornwall' by John Dyer - Art print of an original painting of Stargazey pie in Mousehole with blue andwhite Cornishware
By incorporating stories and traditions into your home decor, you can create a space that feels connected to Cornwall’s rich cultural heritage. These memories can add a layer of depth and meaning to your decor, making your home feel even more special and unique.
Cornish Colourist Artists
Above: Seascape 'Wildflowers on the Cliffs, Mullion', 12x12 inches oil on canvas. Painting by Cornish Artist Joanne Short
Joanne Short and John Dyer are recognised for their contributions to the naive and colourist styles of art in Cornwall. John Dyer, Joanne Short, and Ted Dyer are notable artists recognised for their vibrant contributions to Cornish art. Signed limited edition prints represent high exclusivity and quality in Cornish art, often made directly by the artists in their studios.
Cornwall boasts one of the most stunning coastlines in Britain, attracting seascape artists. Cornish colourist artists are known for their realistic portrayals of the sea, emphasising its various moods and textures, of course.
By incorporating art from these talented artists, you can bring a piece of Cornwall’s beauty and charm into your home.
Summary
Incorporating Cornwall’s vibrant and serene colours into your home can create a harmonious and inviting atmosphere. From the tranquil blues of the ocean and sky to the warm, creamy whites inspired by clotted cream and the rich reds of strawberry jam, each colour reflects a unique aspect of Cornwall’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. By understanding how these colours interact and complement each other, you can design a calming and invigorating space.
As you embark on your journey to create a Cornwall-inspired home, remember to draw inspiration from the region’s landscapes, seasonal changes, and rich traditions. Whether you’re selecting paint samples, combining colours, or incorporating artwork from renowned Cornish artists, each element can help bring the essence of Cornwall into your living space. Embrace the beauty and charm of Cornwall, and let it transform your home into a serene and vibrant retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I incorporate Cornwall's coastal blues into my home decor?
You can easily bring Cornwall's coastal blues into your home by using a mix of deep and light blues in your paint, textiles, and decor items. This combination will create a calming and bright atmosphere that reflects the beauty of the coast.
What are some tips for selecting paint samples that reflect Cornwall's colours?
To capture Cornwall's essence, choose paint samples that reflect the natural scenery with a focus on temperature, depth, and clarity of the hues. Don't hesitate to experiment with different shades for the best match!
How can I combine different Cornwall-inspired colours harmoniously?
To combine Cornwall-inspired colours harmoniously, mix blues, greens, and soft earthy tones while adding vibrant pops for interest. This balanced approach makes your palette visually appealing and cohesive.
What role do Cornish traditions and stories play in home decor?
Cornish traditions and stories add depth and meaning to your decor, connecting your home to the rich cultural heritage of Cornwall. This makes your space feel special and uniquely reflective of your roots.
Who are some notable Cornish artists whose work I can incorporate into my home?
Incorporating artworks by Joanne Short, John Dyer, and Ted Dyer can beautifully infuse your home with the vibrant essence of Cornwall. Their realistic portrayals capture the region's charm perfectly, and they all have unique colour palettes which will help bring Cornwall to your home.