Winter whites aren’t the only winter colors, though looking outside around here right now you might question that since we are currently buried under a foot and a half of snow.

Since this week the furry rodent predicted 6 more weeks of winter, it seems like a good time to embrace the season and explore the beauty inspired by it. Honestly, no matter what the groundhog said, we were going to have 6 (or maybe 12) more weeks of winter here in New England anyway! Februmarch is the loooongest month here.

Here are 7 color palettes inspired by the season

I specify Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams paint most often. All colors referenced are from Benjamin Moore.

Red and green are not just for Christmas anymore. As complementary colors they are high contrast and add a bit of dramatic flair to any room. Try deep green cabinets in a kitchen with a touch of red in the decorative accessories, or a cozy green living room with the dramatic punch of throw pillows in a pattern containing red.

Winter is also hot chocolate season! And nothing is cozier than a rich chocolate brown room. Pair it with touches of blue and marshmallow white for classic elegance and timeless appeal.

Snow frosted evergreens and pinecones are the quintessential elements of winter. Use a variety of shades of green and add warm browns for a fresh, earthy mood. A dash of contrasting snow white highlights and sharpens the colors.

The pastels of a winter sunrise sparkle against a snow coated landscape. These happy colors are inspired by this sunrise picture taken by my friend Bernadette. These shades from peachy pink to lavender would make for a peaceful, cheerful space. A touch of deep gray-brown offers a beautiful counterpoint to keep a pastel room from being too syrupy sweet.

Natures winter neutrals are anything but boring. Complex shades of warm pale oak to deep taupe are inspired by these deer in the winter woods. With neutral colors, it is especially important to pay attention to texture layering a variety from wicker and sisal to velvet and chenille to create subtle sophistication. And of course, just like these deer, every room is improved by a touch of black!

Of all the winter birds, cardinals are perhaps the most striking against the winter landscape. And while Mrs. Cardinal in this pair looks completely nonplussed about whatever Mr. Cardinal has been mansplaining, they nevertheless inspire a palette of warm reds and mustard yellows against a tree bark taupe backdrop.

And finally, I would be remiss to not include a palette with a brilliant blue winter sky. The crisp cold air and angle of the sun this time of year produces the most remarkable shade of blue on a clear day. Blue and white is THE most classic color combination.

Winter whites come in literally hundreds of variations. Most whites are not actually really white. They contain a variety of pigments that tint them in the direction of another hue - yellow, green, lavender, gray or peachy-pink. These 5 exhibit a range of colors and can act as a whisper of color in a room when paired with a whiter white, or as a white when paired with a deeper color.

What colors are YOU embracing this winter?

Dreaming of spring? Check out some of our favorite nature inspired spring colors in this post., and our fall favorites here!