Color is the most important element in decorating. The color wheel is a valuable tool that can help you decorate your home. Thousands of color combinations are possible, but you can use basic color information to create the color scheme best suited for your home and your personal taste. The steps involved in choosing colors shouldn't deter you from selecting a certain combination or layout. Always choose the colors you like best for decorating success.

 

 

 

 

 

The Color Wheel

The color wheel identifies color families and how they relate.

Primary Colors

All colors, with the exception of white, come from primary colors. Blue, yellow and red are the primary colors. Combinations of these three colors produce other colors. Mix all three together in equal amounts to produce brown.

Secondary Colors

Mix equal amounts of two primary colors to create secondary colors. The results are violet (red and blue), green (blue and yellow) and orange (red and yellow).

Tertiary Colors

Mix one primary color with larger amounts of another primary color to create tertiary colors. For example, mix one part blue with two parts red to make red-violet.

Basic Color Terms

  • The hue of a color is the basic color. For example, blue is the hue in light blue and dark blue.
  • Tone describes the color's density and reflective quality. Tone is important when choosing a color scheme.
  • The value of a color describes the amount of white or black in the color. The value ranges from light to dark on a gray scale.
  • The saturation of a color refers to its pureness and boldness.

The Effect of Color

Different colors affect our moods in different ways. You've decided emerald green, your favorite color, is going to be the main focus in your room. Before you buy five gallons of emerald green paint, consider the effect it will have on the appearance and mood of the room. Use the following descriptions as guides to create your color combination:

 

 

 

 

 

Warm and Cozy Colors

Warm and cozy colors, located on the right side of our color wheel, convey a message of togetherness and strength:

  • Varying shades of red are commonly found in dining rooms and libraries, but are becoming popular in kitchens and bedrooms as well.
  • Pure orange is an extremely warm color. It's very hard to tone down and is often used as an accent color only.
  • Yellow has different effects depending upon its tone and value. A sharp yellow can create a feeling of deterrence, as with police tape at a crime scene. But a pale yellow, such as cowslip, can create a bright and pleasing environment.

 

 

 

 

 

Cool and Soothing Colors

Cool and soothing colors, located on the left side of our color wheel, provide a sense of calm and feelings of trust:

  • As you may have noticed, most hospitals and doctors' offices decorate with green. Green is one of nature's most prominent colors and blends easily with any room.
  • Blue is generally a peaceful color. Light blue can make a room appear bright and refreshing, while a deep blue can create a sober mood. Use blue in any room of the house.
  • Violet is getting more and more recognition due to its connection to romance. Violet is also being used in bedrooms and living rooms to communicate an air of serenity.

Pastel Colors

Pastel colors are the result of adding a large amount of white to colors. Because of the lightness of the color, there's little concern of clashing. Pastels create a comfortable, airy feeling in any room.

Neutral Colors

Neutral colors include shades of white, gray and black. Neutral colors are the easiest colors to use for one obvious reason; they blend easily with most surroundings. Builders typically use neutral colors on the interior of a home to accommodate the new home owners' wide range of tastes. Neutral colors can be stylish and dramatic. For instance, black and white are neutral colors that create a wonderful palette for additional colors.

Good idea: Some neutral colors, especially variations of white, may initially look the same, but are very different. Take neutral paint swatches home and lay them on a white piece of paper to see the differences.