Many people think of boring beige or stark white when they think of monochromatic decor. A monochromatic color scheme simply means one color; it doesn’t dictate which color it has to be. It doesn’t dictate that everything in the space has to be exactly the same shade of color either.
Neutrals do make good choices for monochromatic spaces, especially if you prefer a calming feel, but you can use very vivid color as well. Rich shades of red make a room warm. Bright greens give a fresh feel. Neutrals can also be blended with color too, depending on the tone. Sage greens work great with soft browns and beiges while deeper browns work better with red.
Color adds interest to a calm space but still allows you to keep the soothing, seamless effect. For a little extra punch, try one simple pop of color in one spot, such as one splash of different color in a piece of artwork. For example, a room filled with shades of blue creates a cool, clean feeling, but a bright pop of orange sunset in a piece of artwork will draw the eye to it. It will stand out completely against the monochromatic backdrop, so designing a room around one specific item is a great way to draw attention to that prized piece.
Gradient colors will work in a monochromatic room, but strong contrasts between shades are also a nice look. It depends on the feel you want to create. For a relaxing space, use colors that blend well and provide subtle changes in shades. For a more animated space, use lighter shades against stronger ones.
Just remember that darker colors make a room feel smaller, so use darker shades for large areas in a large room, and lighter shades for large areas such as walls and furniture, in a smaller space.