Interior designers know that one's choice of color can have a considerable impact on a room. To make sure every design comes together well, it is indispensable for every decorator to have a working understanding of color theory.
Working with the Color Wheel
From the yellows, blues, and reds of primary colors to the various shades of secondary and tertiary colors, color theory is the best way to know which colors complement each other. Color theory is clearly exhibited through the color wheel-- a diagram that depicts the way primary colors and secondary colors mix to form tertiary colors.
In interior design, it is essential to understand how to obtain the right colors that will work well with each other. You'll likely use lighter tints or darker shades of color rather than the pure primary color like blue, red or yellow, or secondary colors like orange, purple, or green.
When putting together a color scheme for a room, you'll want to consider what makes specific colors work together. Consider the best pairings in color theory. Complementary colors are opposite each other in the color wheel and together really bring the "wow factor." Complementary pairings include red and green, orange and blue, and yellow and purple.
Analogous colors share the same basic hue and are the colors that are next to each other on the color wheel like orange and yellow or purple and red. Triads are useful for a balanced but vibrant combination of colors that is equally spaced from each other, like green, purple, and orange.
Warm and Cool Colors
When breaking down colors on the color wheel, it's important to understand how particular colors make a room feel. In color theory, colors between red and yellow-green is considered warm, prominent, and stimulating. This warmth is associated with similar colors in nature, like the range of a fire or the yellow of the sun. Moreover, warmer tones are seen by the eye as being more advanced or closer than cooler colors.
Cooler colors tend to recede and can really open up a room. Moreover, colors like purple, green and blue give the room a relaxing and calmer atmosphere.
The Value of a Color
A hue's value is determined by how much white or black has been added to it. In interior design, it is especially prevalent for designers to use more muted or darker colors to create a monochromatic color scheme. This will lessen the impact of a particular hue and create a balanced look. A good rule of thumb when decorating is to stick with medium and light values while allowing for a touch of a darker tone here and there.
When choosing what colors to work with, you also must consider the saturation level. The amount of saturation that a hue has will affect how vibrant the color is. Colors with lower intensity will work to create a calming and subtle mood. A tip for making a hue less-intense is to add the complement of that hue to make the new tone more muted.
Higher intensity and more saturated colors are best for creating an energetic atmosphere. These dynamic hues are great for color blocking or accent walls or furniture.
Conclusion
Successfully designing a space requires the knowledge of color theory. Understanding the way colors work together will allow you to pull together the perfect combination for your interior.
