Shelle Interior designers use various, tested theories while designing and creating spaces. These theories help the designer make the spaces more habitable and enjoyable by the inhabitants. One such, very popular theory is the Color Theory.
While planning the decor or design of, say an office reception, or a master bedroom, the Color Theory provides a valuable guide to designers to select colors, or a combination of colors to create the color scheme.
This color scheme starts from the color of the paint and the ceiling and extends to the color of the furniture, lights, etc. Designers use, a Color Wheel, to implement the fundaments of color theory.
1. What is Color theory and color chart?
Color theory, simply put, involves the science and study of color and their shades and, uses them in harmony. It helps the designers to create a color scheme or a color palette for interior design that’ll work together. In visual art, specific definitions, guidelines, and rules, help designers to communicate with their primary users of the space by conscious, and aesthetic use of colors.
The choice of color scheme often dictates the overall feel and environment of the space. In other words, color theory is the science behind which colors go well together and the art of putting them together.
It becomes an important aspect of living or consuming the spaces and color can influence moods, feelings, how energetic you feel, and even increase how much sleep you get.
Color chart or the color wheel is, often, a radial chart of colors that help in the selection of complementing colors in a combination of twos and threes.
Scientists have developed the color wheel. Great physicist, Sir Isaac Newton, too has been credited for laying the foundation of the color wheel (the ROYGBIV colors). Designers of various verticals and artists use Color charts to create color frameworks.
Color wheel, in all practical sense, helps designers to implement the color theory.
2. Why is Color theory important?
As humans, our mind draws a parallel from the natural environment. Our mind associates blue with vast skies and open oceans. Red with blood, and romantic passion. Green is associated with lush green trees and pastures.
And this is how various colors arouse different emotions. Some colors create positive spaces to relax, while some colors provide energy to work.
The moods, induced by colors affect our general wellbeing and our relationships.
Have you noticed how most honeymoon suites are overdone with red? For a happy, fruitful life, color theory becomes very important.
3. What do different colors mean in Interior design
Each color has a different psychological impact. This means every color can influence the mood of the users of the space differently.
- Red for Interior design
Red is a bold color that stimulates and excites. It is a color of passion, strength, dander, and fire. This color can make you feel energetic and aroused. Since it is a strong, stimulating color, try avoiding over-use of this color.
- Orange for interior design
People who want to avoid the aggressiveness the color red brings, use orange as a safer, calmer alternative. Ideal for kid’s room, orange color in interior design is associated with fun, courage, and hospitality.
- Yellow for interior design
The color theory when applied to interior design finds yellow as a color of warmth, prosperity, wisdom, warmth, and sympathy. Some designers have also associated yellow with cowardice. Once can use yellow to look friendly and cheerful.
- Blue for interior design
Blue is probably is the most important color in the application of color theory in interior design. It has a great influence on the human mind. Blue is considered to be a color that represents peace, calm, serenity, and tranquility. It is a great color to be used in bedrooms and bathrooms. While selecting blue as a dominant color, one must be careful as overdoing Blue can be depressing to some people.
- Green for interior design
Green, is enjoyed as it is the color of nature. It is a cool color that usually goes well with many other colors as well. Green is seen as the color of good luck, abundance, and hope. Green can be used in living rooms, bedrooms, and offices.
- Purple for interior design
Purple is a color of wealth and luxury. It is a color royalty and opulence. Interior designers can pair Purple with royal colors like jade, or calm colors like yellow. Purple is an ideal color for a girl’s room or living room. Shy from overusing it, as it is a color of drama.
- Black for interior design
Different cultures perceive the Black color differently. Some associate Black color with luxury and high-class. Usually, Black is considered as a color of death, evil, and mourning. Black can also be associated with wisdom and elegance. Interior designers use black as a minor or tertiary color to complement other colors or add depth to their color framework.
- White for interior Design
White, and shades of it, are undoubtedly the most popular colors when it comes to interior design. White, as a color, represents, simplicity, freshness, and peace. Some people associate White with faith, hope, and innocence. White is used to making the space look larger than it is. Pearl white is considered to be the color of luxury and riches. Whiles shades like Off-White can make a place look comfortable, livelier, and fresher.
4. How to use Color Wheel to plan your interior decor?
The Color Wheel is a radial chart that places different colors in a logical scheme. It helps us create a relationship between three types of colors – Primary, secondary, and tertiary. By using different approaches to the Color Wheel you can develop a color scheme that you like.
Though it might sound a bit complicated, it is really very simple.
Monochromatic Color Wheel
Using the Monochromatic approach, you create variations of a single color. They are a great way to derive a color scheme if you are looking for something very relaxing.
With a combination of light and dark undertones of the same color, you achieve a color scheme with depth and thoughtfulness. Use darker undertones to bring out drama and energy and the light undertones to complement the dark undertones.
This is a variation of a single color. Monochromatic schemes are serene and relaxing. Light tones create a relaxed delicate feel, whereas dark tones can feel moody and dramatic. Mixing light and dark tones add interest and a touch of energy.
Complementary
The use of complementary color is often the easiest and safest approach. Select a color you like, and the color on the opposite side is the complementary color.
For example, purple and yellow, and, blue and orange. The use of complementary colors creates a balanced, comfortable, and rich environment.
Color wheel split complementary
A variation of the complementary color scheme, the split-complementary color scheme adds another dimension to your color scheme by bringing another color.
It uses two similar or nearby colors and a complementary color. The split-complementary color scheme is often seen as less confident. This doesn’t mean, one has to shy away from using it. Split complementary color scheme makes the environment less confrontational, and more approachable.
Contrasting
Colors that are do not exist in the same family of color can work great with each other. They contrast each other. Use a bold color from one “family” and a lighter color from another. By using colors from different spectrums, you can create a striking impact that can really impress.
Avoid using contrasting colors in bedrooms and other spaces meant for relaxation.
Triadic
This is by far the most balanced approach to create a color scheme using a color wheel.
Use the color wheel to select three different colors.The Triadic approach is a hybrid of any of two approaches discussed earlier. The result achieved is aesthetic, appealing, and harmonious.
Do’s and Don’t while using Color Wheel
Do’s
1. Use three colors –
Keep the number of colors in the color scheme to an odd number of three. This ensures you have the flexibility of experimenting and planning with enough colors. And by restricting it to three, you keep it simple.
These three colors can be contrasting or complementing.
2. The rule of 60-30-10
Now that you have selected your three colors, split the volume of colors being used across the space to 60%, 30%, and 10%.
- Keep the dominant color to 60%
- Your secondary color to 30%
- The third color, you accent color is kept at 10%
The 60-30-10 rule helps you achieve a harmonious balance between the colors.
3. Create a Flow
Once you have selected a dominant color, try creating a flow throughout your home by continuing from your main color.
This will help you create a home that looks like one unit than different pieces simply put together.
Dont’s
- Try avoiding bold colors dominant colors for homes. They might look great when you’re selecting colors. However, when it comes to living with it, it can be a bit overwhelming
- Do not be rigid with the color wheel. The color wheel is a great way to get started. However, do what makes you and the users of the space (colleagues, family members, etc) comfortable.
Final Words
It is true that colors can make people feel in a certain way.
Using bold colors in the living room can brighten up that space. Soothing colors like white and blue are great for bedrooms to relax. You can also select a color that suits your personality or depending the how you’re planning to use that space.
The best thing interior designers can do communicate to their clients and understand their aspirations associated with room or space. If you’re doing it for yourself, first understand the nature of user or the occupant of the room. And then depending on the use, whether it is a bedroom or a study, plan your colors using the color wheel.
Remember, you may not find the right color that “clicks” with everyone. However, go for a color that makes everyone comfortable. I hope this guide helps you select your paint colors easily. Good luck!