FAILSAFE COLOUR SCHEMES 1/3

1. Cinnamon Spice

WHERE TO USE IT. Walk into a cinnamon-painted room and you'll instantly feel relaxed, so use it in a snug, bedroom or en-suite bathroom (specially if you love a long soak once the kids are in bed) It's a great shade to use wherever you have beautiful wooden flooring - it will really make the grain sing out.

HOW TO USE IT. Dare to put cinnamon on all four walls for an immersive and intimate feel in a tV den or dining nook. In a larger space, use it on one wall to highlight the room's focal point (say a sofa, fireplace or statement bed) In a child's room, try painting the corner that the bed sits in, to make it feel cocooning and sleepy.

STYLE IT OUT. Cinnamon sets a laid-back mood, so team it with slouchy sofas and upholstered dining chairs, velvet finishes and tufted rugs for a look that's all about comfort. Be strict with accent colours, though, or it can all get too much. Black, white and grey/beige neutrals are all you want.

2. Shale Grey.

WHERE TO USE IT. Literally anywhere. Shale grey is the perfect mid-tone that feels light and easy in a busy space such as a kitchen, or cosy and relaxed in a living area or bedroom. Consider it for a home office, too - if you're feeling stressed, this subtle neutral will calm you down and provide a dignified backdrop for Zoom calls

HOW TO USE IT. Shale is a fantastic base colour - you can layer on other colours to push the overall look anyway you like. For example, add black to make it smart and tailored; mix it with shades of white and green for a soft, country look; or use it with mirrored furniture and gloss finishes for a glamorous effect.

STYLE IT OUT. Shale can look drab, so always introduce texture with woven fabrics, gentle patterns and natural materials. For accessories, play around with highlight colours to lift the scheme, sticking to shades with a grey undertone- try blush pink or eucalyptus green.

3. Moss Green.

WHERE TO USE IT. You can take this straightforward green in either direction: use it with softer greens and browns for a calm bedroom, or go pure and simple with fresh white for an energising home office. Its natural balance will work both ways in a kitchen-diner that needs to feel both relaxing and uplifting, depending on the time of day.

HOW TO USE IT. Moss green is a strong and masculine shade, so stick to a feature wall or a half-painted wall. If you opt to use it on all four, make sure furniture and flooring are pale in contrast. Pair with browns, not greys, to draw out its warmer undertones.

STYLE IT OUT. This is a colour with a past - a tru heritage shade. Go with it if you have dark wood furniture and vintage treasures, but don't disrupt the flow with a startlingly contemporary piece, like a sharp-angled light or an on-trend motif. If you have modern furniture and architecture, use moss as a crisp block colour with white, and soften the look with a vintage rug or worn leather armchair.

4. Natural Clay.

WHERE TO USE IT. It might have a hint of pink but this colour is essentially a neutral...which means that works well anywhere. Use it throughout the house, subtly changing the depth of the colour as you go, for a varied but joined-up effect that you'll find very easy to live with.

HOW TO USE IT. Play around with an early palette, layering darker reddish and brown tones to create depth, as well as lighter, greyer tints for a calm but interesting colour scheme. If it all looks a bit murky, a swish of fresh green or soft white will revitalise it.

STYLE IT OUT. Natural clay is great for a rustic look - you can work it with natural wood, linen and basket ware to create an authentic country-style scheme. If you'd rather go for glam, team it with pearly greys and touches of black to set a sophisticated mood. Stick to matt finishes and, if you must add a metallic, make it a dull pewter or aged silver to blend into space.

5. Earthy Red.

WHERE TO USE IT. Do choose this rich red to warm up a chilly north-facing room, but beware of using it in a sunny space- it will glow red hot in full sun.

HOW TO USE IT. A deep colour like this needs to be balanced with equal amounts of pale tones, so only put it on all four walls if you have lots of clear floor to offset it. the half-and-half trick is perfect - painted panels or a band of colour around the bottom of the walls with a lighter hue on top. Or you could use this cosy colour to define an area in a multifunction open-plan space - for example, a panel behind the desk to mark out a home office, or the whole wall behind your dining table for an intimate feel at mealtimes.

STYLE IT OUT. Opulent reds like this feel traditional and evoke Victorian times, but resist the urge to go down the "gentlemen's club" route as your scheme will turn into a pastiche. Keep things modern with contemporary furniture, and use just a touch of traditional pattern for a nod to heritage.