Choosing a Colour Scheme
by Megan Thriepland
Colour is a visual experience; it is the effect given off by light on the surface of an object. If you need help understanding the colour terminology in this article please click the link below about understanding colour.
You can combine colour in a way that creates interest and is visually pleasing. The following are effective ways of using and combining colours to achieve a look that everyone will love!
Monochromatic Colour Scheme
A monochromatic colour scheme is a colour scheme that uses only one colour, but different tints, shades and levels of saturation of this same colour. It is a quiet colour palette and, depending on whether it is a warm or cool colour, can create a relaxed feeling or one of contentment.
This image is an example of a monochromatic scheme, as it uses shades of red (pink, red and burgundy) along with black and white.
Light & Dark Contrast Colour Scheme
Light and dark contrast is the difference between a tint (light colour) and a shade (dark colour) in a space. This type of contrast is dramatic and can be used to emphasize a focal point.
This bedroom is an example of dark and light contrast using black, dark grey, cream and white to create a classic and dramatic look.
Achromatic Colour Scheme
An achromatic colour scheme is always a grey-scale. It often generates a feeling of rich luxury in a quiet confident manner.
This nursery uses shades of cool grey combined with white furniture and accessories to create a calming achromatic space, perfect for a sleeping baby.
Saturated Hue Colour Scheme
This space is an example of a saturated hue colour scheme as it uses only pure colours. This colour palette can be overwhelming and is often softened with a neutral colour such as white.
Contrast of Saturation Colour Scheme
Contrast of saturation is a mix of muted, dull colours and bright saturated colors.
This space is an example of a contrast of saturation colour scheme as it uses one pure colour (pink) along with neutrals such as black, white and charcoal. This colour palette also uses contrast between light and dark, making it elegant and striking.
Hi! I'm Megan, Owner of Blue Pearl Staging and staging decorator. In my BLOG you'll find helpful information on decorating, tips for home staging, DIY projects and much more.
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Warm & Cool Contrast Colour Scheme
Warm and cool contrast is the use of warm colours such as red, orange and yellow, and cool colours such as blue, green and purple.
This living room uses warm colours such as orange and yellow and cool colours such as blue and green, and is a great example of warm and cool contrast.
Complementary Contrast Colour Scheme
Complementary colours are colours opposite to each other on the colour wheel. They are named as such because of how well they complement each other. They contrast well because they do not share a common primary color.
This living room is an example of contrast of complementary colours. Purple and yellow are opposite to each other on the colour wheel, making them complements.
Split Complementary Colour Scheme
Split Complementary is a variation on the Complementary Colour Scheme. It consists of a base colour and two colours adjacent to its complement. It has the same strong visual contrast as the classic complementary with less tension.
Orange and blue are complementary colours. To create a split complement, blue is used as the base colour and two colours adjacent to its complement (orange) being red-orange and yellow-orange.
Analogous Colour Scheme
An analogous colour scheme is one where the colours used are next to each other on the colour wheel. These colour schemes are often more dynamic and energetic than colour schemes such as monochromatic. The most effective colours to use are two tertiary and one primary or secondary colour. Because primary and secondary colours are strong, they battle each other visually, where as the tertiary colours are blended.
This light blue and green room is a perfect example of analogous colour pallet as all the colours used are in sequence on the colour wheel.
Triadic Colour Scheme
Triadic Colour Scheme consists of three colours evenly spaced on the colour wheel. This option works best if one of the three colours is emphasized more that the other two colours.
This child's bedroom is decorated with the three primary colours. This triadic colour scheme is one of the most popular, but any three colours evenly spaced on the colour wheel would be considered triadic.
There are lots of things that you can do with colour. It can be used to create focal point or obstruct an object visually, it can create separate areas in one space or create continuity in two rooms. To learn more about using colour click the link below.
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