Edwardian Paint Colours
After the deep Victorian palette, Edwardian homes moved towards lighter, airier rooms: creams and off-whites, soft greens, gentle blues and rose. These heritage-inspired shades suit Edwardian semis and terraces, and any home that wants period character without the darkness. Every shade is available as a 60ml sample.
Edwardian interiors were lighter and fresher than Victorian ones. Creams and off-whites replaced deep reds on many walls, with soft greens, blues and rose in bedrooms and sitting rooms, and white or cream woodwork. Below are our heritage-inspired Edwardian shortlists, chosen for their resemblance to the period palette.
At a glance
- Start here
- Light, airy period colour. Edwardian rooms were lighter than Victorian ones. Start with a cream, then add soft green, blue or rose.
- North light
- Creams and soft rose. Creams and soft rose. Cool north light suits warm creams and soft rose, which keep the room gentle and bright.
- South light
- Soft greens and blues. Soft greens and blues. Warm daylight keeps Edwardian greens and blues fresh rather than chilly.
- East light
- Creams for every hour. Creams for every hour. Warm creams balance cooler afternoon light in east-facing rooms.
- West light
- Greens and rose for evenings. Greens and rose for evenings. Golden evening light flatters soft greens and rose.
- Woodwork
- Cream or soft white. Edwardian woodwork was often cream or white. A soft cream looks kinder than a brilliant white against these gentle walls.
- Rooms
- Bedrooms and sitting rooms. These gentle shades are ideal for bedrooms and sitting rooms. Use a stronger shade below a picture rail for period definition.
- Sample tip
- Check every change of light. Move your sample between walls. Check it in morning and afternoon daylight, then under the lights you use at night.
Tap any tile to read more.
Creams and off-whites
Soft creams that brighten a period room.
Best in north-, south-, east- and west-facing rooms
Creams and off-whites were the backbone of the Edwardian palette. They brighten a room without the starkness of a modern brilliant white.
Parlour™ and Lisle™ suit any direction. Lace™, Alabaster™, Hosiery™ and Caunton Cream™ suit north-, east- and west-facing rooms; Undyed™ prefers east- or west-facing light and Ha’penny™ south-, east- or west-facing light.
Soft greens and gentle blues
Fresh greens and blues for airy rooms.
Best in south-, east- and west-facing rooms
Soft greens and blues gave Edwardian rooms their fresh, garden-suburb feel. They suit bedrooms, bathrooms and sitting rooms.
Best in south-, east- and west-facing rooms, where warm daylight keeps them fresh.
Soft rose and pink
Gentle pinks for period bedrooms.
Best in north-, south-, east- and west-facing rooms
Soft rose was a favourite for Edwardian bedrooms and sitting rooms. It is warm and flattering, and it sits well with cream woodwork.
Belle™ suits any direction. Infirmary™ and Porkers™ suit north-, east- and west-facing rooms; Lilly™ prefers east- or west-facing light.
Sample it the way we would
Step 1
Paint your peel-and-sticks
Each £5.99 sample comes with three paintable peel-and-sticks. Give them two coats and let them dry fully.
Step 2
Stick them around the room
Put them on two or three walls, including the wall opposite the window, at eye level and lower down.
Step 3
Live with them for a day or two
Look in the morning, the afternoon and under your evening lamps. Move them around until you are sure.
Your questions, answered
Are these exact historic colours?
No. They're heritage-inspired Cameron Colours shades, chosen because they resemble the pigments and palettes of the period. They're not analysed matches to any original scheme.
What colours did the Edwardians use?
Lighter colours than the Victorians: creams and off-whites, soft greens, gentle blues and rose, often with cream or white woodwork.
Can I use Edwardian colours in a Victorian house?
Yes. Many Victorian houses were redecorated in lighter Edwardian colours, and the softer palette suits rooms that feel dark with deep colour.
Keep exploring
Victorian Paint Colours
Deep reds, rich greens and warm umbers. Colour with confidence, the Victorian way.
Georgian Paint Colours
Stones, drabs and quiet greens. Elegant colour for well-proportioned rooms.
Heritage Paint Colours
Colours with history in them, made for the way we live now.
Neutral Paint Colours
Quiet colours that are never as simple as they look.