Using the Color Wheel

June 5, 2007

Red Chair with Blue Pillow
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    Picking and choosing color combinations for a room can be one of the most difficult decisions in re-decorating. With so many beautiful colors, so many patterns, and so many ways to mix and match, it's easy to feel like there's no good place to start. But there is a solution: learn about the color wheel, a simple tool used by many design specialists.

Many professional designers rely on color wheels for ideas and inspiration, while helping them understand and better predict how colors will interact. Download our color wheel or pick one up at a local paint store before you spend money on paint or materials that can't be returned. Then keep it on hand as you re-design your room or rooms' basic color schemes using your newfound color wheel knowledge. ubr body ol img ar069

Fundamentals 

The color wheel is comprised of three types of colors: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The three primary colors are:

  • Red

  • Blue

  • Yellow
Secondary colors result from the marriage of two primary colors. Secondary colors are:

  • Violet

  • Green

  • Orange

Tertiary colors represent the mixture of a primary color and a secondary color. Tertiary colors are: 

  • Blue-violet

  • Red-violet

  • Red-orange

  • Yellow-orange

  • Yellow-green

  • Blue-green



Pick A Dominant Color 

First, pick a dominant color for your color scheme. Some designers recommend that 60% of your room should involve this dominant color, so think of it as the anchor of your design. It may be a color in a fabric pattern or a color in a great piece of art.

Now you're ready to use the static placement of colors within the wheel to quickly create any number of great color schemes.

Complementary Color Scheme

A complementary color scheme is often advised for more formal spaces, such as dining rooms. To create one, find its complementary color, or the color opposite of your dominant color on the color wheel. Red and green, for instance, are complementary colors, as are blue and orange, and yellow and violet. The opposite color will support the dominant color through use in window treatments, upholstery or furniture. Using rich versions of these colors can be tricky, so explore different hues and tones of each. Don't forget to find a nice accent color, too, for pillows, throws, art and other décor items.

Analogous Color Scheme 

This color scheme, which uses adjacent colors on the wheel, is often recommended for more casual spaces, such as bedrooms and rec rooms. For example, if you pick green as your dominant color, use the two colors next to it as the supporting and accent colors. One thing to watch for: make sure you have enough contrast in your colors. Add black or white, too, as an additional accent color.

Monochromatic Color Scheme 

This color scheme uses different tints (color plus white) and shades (color plus black) of your dominant color. Like the analogous scheme, make sure your choices are contrasting enough for a nice range of color, and pick one as the complementary color and one for accents. Another quick tip: a monochromatic color scheme is great in fashion, too. Wear the lighter shade of color on top to appear taller and slimmer.

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