30 Rare Shades That Will Bring a Unique Touch to Any Room

From shades like amaranth to zaffre, these lesser-known colors can elevate your home’s color palette.

When searching for the ideal color for your space, be it for your walls or furniture, it can be tough to pinpoint the exact shade you desire. While following the projected color trends for the upcoming year is a safe bet, opting for more uncommon and distinctive hues can help you create a space that truly stands out. Fortunately, there are numerous obscure colors that may be familiar to you but whose names you may not know, and these shades can serve as fantastic choices for interior design.

30 Unique Hues to Transform Your Space

When it comes to interior design, it’s not just about painting your living room blue or buying a green couch. To truly make your space your own, you need to incorporate unique colors that reflect your style. Discover 30 unconventional hues that can add character and personality to your home.

Amaranth

In Greek mythology, the flower called amaranth with its reddish-pink hue symbolizes the “everlasting flower” that supposedly grew on Mount Olympus and possessed immortality. This color, with its violet undertones, strikes a harmonious balance between passion and sophistication.

Atrovirens

Translated from Latin, Atrovirens refers to the color “dark green.” This stylish deep teal shade is reminiscent of a pyramid-shaped conifer with glossy foliage. It exudes elegance and versatility, perfect for incorporating into various aspects of home decor, from accent walls to furniture pieces.

Aureolin

Cobalt yellow, also known as aureolin, was initially created by Nikolaus Wolfgang Fischer, a German chemist credited with synthesizing potassium cobaltinitrite, the vibrant pigment used to produce this golden shade. While aureolin is commonly seen in interior design, its primary application remains in the realm of painting.

Bistre

Bistre refers to a pigment derived from the soot of a beechwood tree, known for its deep brown hue with yellow undertones. When incorporated into interiors or art, as per traditional usage, it adds richness and depth to the space.

Celadon

Celadon, a minty hue, takes its name from a traditional Chinese porcelain and glaze. The iron content in the raw materials used for crafting this esteemed pottery gives Celadon its distinct jade color, a heritage that spans millennia.

Cinnabar

Cinnabar, a fiery red-orange hue inspired by the mineral it is named after, was historically created using the actual mineral until its toxic properties were revealed. Despite its origins, this vibrant color continues to be popular across various sectors in modern times.

Citrine

Citrine, a yellow gemstone, is commonly associated with notions of wealth and prosperity. Its hue typically ranges from a golden yellow to shades of green.

Coquelicot

Coquelicot, which translates to “wild corn poppy” in old French, refers to the vivid red-orange hue of the flower. This color is lively and cheerful, often associated with memories of the past.

Ivory

When referring to the color ivory, another term that can be used is “eburnean.” This delicate shade, derived from the Latin word eburneus, is essentially white with a hint of yellow.

Falu

The deep red hue known as Falu paint, derived from copper-mining remnants in Falun, Sweden, is a popular choice for painting wooden barns and cottages in Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

Fandango

A vibrant and energizing color inspired by the lively Spanish dance, fandango is a purplish-red shade that adds a rich and dynamic touch to any space. Whether used as an accent in a living room with more subdued tones or mixed with other bold hues, fandango can create a unique and captivating atmosphere based on your desired vibe.

Feldgrau

A soft greenish-gray color known as “feldgrau,” derived from German for “field gray,” referencing the uniforms of German soldiers in World War II. This earthy shade is adaptable for both fashion and interior design due to its versatility.

Fulvous

Resembling shades of tawny or butterscotch, fulvous is a brown-yellow hue commonly associated with the unique coloring of specific birds, plants, mammals, and fungi. Its name is derived from the fulvous whistling duck.

Gamboge

Gamboge is an earthy orange-brown shade reminiscent of mustard or deep saffron, often used to dye the traditional robes worn by Buddhist monks. This unique color adds a natural element to interiors, as it can be found in autumn foliage, marigold blooms, and vibrant sunsets.

Glaucous

Describing a misty, soft gray-blue shade, “glaucous” also pertains to the dusty film found on plums and grapes. This unique color can function almost like a neutral tone in specific environments due to its lustrous characteristics. It exudes a peaceful and tranquil aura, making it an excellent choice for a bedroom’s decor.

Heliotrope

Heliotrope, a vibrant pink-purple shade inspired by the heliotropium flower, adds an exciting touch to any space. While painting an entire room in this bold hue might be overwhelming, using it as an accent color can infuse a room with a lively burst of vibrancy.

Limerick

This vibrant, almost fluorescent yellow-green hue closely resembles chartreuse. It serves as an excellent accent shade for infusing a lively pop of color into the space.

Mikado

Inspired by the Japanese word for “emperor,” Mikado is a rich golden yellow shade reminiscent of a vibrant egg yolk. This energizing color exudes happiness and warmth, often symbolizing positivity and regality.

Nacarat

Nacarat is a vibrant yet soft red-orange color, reminiscent of the hue of a red fox. This shade is often found in beauty products and cosmetics.

Payne’s Grey

Derived from the name of the 19th-century watercolor artist William Payne, Payne’s Grey is a deep blue-gray shade that serves as a versatile alternative to navy. This color exudes a blend of intrigue and elegance, making it a sophisticated choice for any home.

Puce

This soft pink shade with hints of brown and purple is known as puce, derived from the French word for flea. Surprisingly, it is not named after the insect but the mark left behind when a flea is squashed. Quite an unusual name for such a lovely and unusual color!

Sarcoline

Described as a peachy, yellow-beige color, Sarcoline offers a warm yet subtle tone. Although it may not be ideal for painting entire living rooms, it complements well with black or blue, serving as a pleasant neutral color with hints of orange.

Skobeloff

This deep, muted cyan shade evokes the feeling of being surrounded by the depths of coastal waters. Named after Russian general Mikhail Skobelev, who had a preference for this color in his military attire, Skobeloff exudes a sense of calm and rejuvenation, making it a truly serene hue.

Smaragdine

Looking for a unique way to refer to the color of an emerald without using its name? This interesting term, derived from the Latin word for the gemstone, smaragdus, is the perfect choice!

Thulian Pink

Thulian Pink, a sophisticated hue, exudes romance and allure, making it a perfect choice for a subtle touch around the Valentine’s Day period. This deep, reddish-pink shade with a touch of coolness elevates any space from mundane to chic. Its name is derived from the thulite gemstone, also known as rosaline.

Vantablack

Originally created by Surrey Nanosystems for applications in space exploration, Vantablack is known as the darkest artificial pigment globally, as it can absorb almost all visible light with its unique properties.

Viridian

Viridian, a blue-green pigment, derives its name from the Latin term viridis, meaning “green”. Originally a rare color with a rich history dating back to the 1800s, the creation of this sought-after pigment was a laborious and costly process. Nowadays, viridian is a more prevalent hue found in both artistic creations and home design.

Wenge

The shade known as “wenge,” pronounced “wen-geh,” is inspired by the rich, dark wood of the millettia laurentii tree found in Central Africa. This color, with undertones of purple and black, exudes an elegant and sophisticated vibe.

Xanadu

This soft, greenish-gray shade may be familiar to you, even if you didn’t know its name. Inspired by nature, Xanadu adds a sense of serenity and peacefulness to home décor.

Zaffre

During the Victorian era, Zaffre, a deep blue pigment created from roasting cobalt ore, was popular for staining glass. This intense and obscure color is often chosen to make a bold statement, whether in a home’s decor or a brand’s logo.