Have you ever opened up a design magazine and landed on an interior design article that features a sleek, light-soaked room filled with a perfectly coordinated furniture set in front of a roaring fireplace? But there are just so many colors, so many patterns put together? "There's just too much going on!" you might say as you flip the page toward a calmer room layout. You'll know when you hit your plateau for visual energy because there's a lack of ease and what some call visual noise. You might think, "I could never relax in a room like that."

Your gut feeling about colors and patterns will show you immediately what your deep-seated comfort level is. Some home designers like to play with colors, patterns, textures and height. There's a lot going on because there's supposed to be. Some prefer visual noise for a room to come alive. But here's a designer's rule for dressing up a room: "I approach all room design in the manner of Coco Chanel regarding accessories: 'Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.'"

As far as colors right now, earth tones are helping connect us to nature with the tones of river rocks that may be used during our hot stone massage. Georgianne Vinicombe, floral designer and shop owner, says: "I'm seeing lots of green. Anything green, from seafoam to mint." Vinicombe is seeing deeper greens as fall and winter glide onward.

Seeking that sense of calm through color, especially as we've tried to make our homes places of comfort throughout the pandemic, provides a connection to the grounded tones of nature. "I'm seeing lots of grays and browns. Silvers with yellow," says Vinicombe. The duality of deeper colors and lighter shades reminds us of Mother Nature. After all, nature is healing, and we take that lesson with us into how we paint our homes. A takeaway here is that the weighty, earthy colors of gray and green get a pop of bright colors with yellow or silver, which might evoke a feeling of a silver lining.

Another big trend is "metallic shades put together," says Vinicombe. "Think gold, rose gold, silver and copper for accenting, just to give it a richer feeling that builds warmth when mixed metallics are used in pairing or bunches." Vinicombe says that for parties in the fall and winter, metallic-colored balloons bunched together in artistic shapes -- reaching high and outward for a wall of balloons to pose in front of -- are becoming increasingly popular. They serve as a dramatic focal point, allowing your decor choices to stand out.

Whether it's metallics or earth tones, designers are subtly contrasting colors by grouping similar shades. A pop of color still stands as an eye-catcher but eases the dramatic contrast of, say, a red and white. Even black and white, in all its elegance, may be too much contrast for some. This is where texture comes into play. Vinicombe says that texture is the key to coordinating colors, shine and materials. Whatever you're grouping, follow the example of Instagrammers and pair your spotlight pieces with interesting backgrounds, such as a vase sitting atop 1920s-style shimmering fabric with a pearl necklace draped in front of it. Use bamboo platters or coasters to add some texture to your decor vignette. Bring some fresh flowers into the frame.

"Yes, you can layer fabrics such as a basic fall linen or burlap topped with a cranberry or rust-colored napkin fold or corner and bring it together with some jute-tied herbs," says Shannon Alber, home entertaining Instagrammer. "The key is to gather colors and patterns that just hit a certain spot in how you're feeling right now. You know it when you see it."

For more spring color and texture pairing inspiration, look at HGTV shows and their spinoff magazines, of course, but also look at the Pinterest pages of interior designers to see what's inspiring them right now. "I might not be able to afford that fabulous interior designer," says Alber. "But her Pinterest pages are pure gold as she generously shares her pairing ideas with me." And look to Pantone's Color of the Year and the social media pages of major paint brands. There's plenty of inspiration out there for you to get creative when choosing colors for your home.