We’ve been following the catwalks and trend leaders and have spotted the following must-have shades for Autumn.

From rich jewel colours - think of deep emerald greens and vibrant ruby reds - to imperial purple, a Fall favourite; when it comes to Autumn colour trends, the palette is filled with opulent and elegant shades.

When the dark nights draw in, we want to feel empowered by colour, which is why Stella McCartney, among others, turned towards a strong use of colour this season.

On the catwalk, both Christopher Kane and Prada swapped the red carpet for a purple one for their Autumn/Winter 2012 collections, but really, purple, in all its various shades from violet and red, is always popular in winter.

Because the days are shorter, this is no time to fade into the background with wishy-washy hues - to stand out you need to make it bright and bold which is why metallics, including shimmery silvers and attention-grabbing golds, are big for Autumn/Winter.

It’s also why white is part of the Autumn colour palette - since nothing works better against black. So as well as adding a glamorous glow to the darkness outside, you can team a statement white coat with a chic black dress underneath, or wear a crisp white shirt with black cigarette trousers for the ultimate monochrome makeover.

It’s also a good idea to mimic the natural shades of Autumn - just think of all those leaves falling from the trees and their earthy russet tones and coppery highlights. That’s why camel and beige are big this year - and a classic camel coat will prove to be an investment too. But to avoid appearing too bland in your understated neutrals, add drama with a jewel-coloured scarf, sassy black boots or a rock ‘n’ roll studded handbag.

The fashion-forward shades of Autumn have influenced interior colour trends in 2012 too. The colour chart includes lots of natural, earthy colours, including mushroom brown and green, while blue is back, as long as it’s either navy or royal blue.

Bedroom colours ideas are the easiest to incorporate into a seasonal colour scheme, as you only need to buy a new duvet, a bedside lamp or a few throw cushions to update your bedroom.

Fitted bedroom furniture provides the perfect backdrop for which to play around with design ideas, from one dramatic wallpapered wall to a new carpet of regal purple - if it’s good enough for Prada, it’s good enough for you.