Learn to Decorate: Color
Theory and So Much More
When it comes to
decorating, the average DIY-er will need more than an innate
sense of style. The perfect chairs and ideal paintings will
mean nothing if the colors don't work together. The science
of harmonizing color, known as color theory, can turn the
work of an amateur decorator into a masterpiece. Color theory
is frequently taught at art schools and universities, but
it can be easily grasped with only a few minutes spent online
and the use of a color wheel.
Color Theory
Color theory is
an understanding of how different colors interact with one
another and which ones work best together. An examination
of color theory cannot begin without a look at the three primary
colors: red, yellow, and blue. These colors are the root of
all other colors; they cannot be created by combining, say,
green and brown. All secondary and tertiary colors derive
from these first three.
Secondary colors
come from combining the primary colors: orange, green, and
purple. Together, these six colors make up a basic color wheel
when arranged around the outside of a circle. With only this
rudimentary color wheel, a designer can come up with a complementary
color scheme (two colors located directly across from one
another), a triad color scheme (three colors equally distanced
from each other), or a double split complementary color scheme
(two sets of complementary colors are paired together). But
the color wheel can expand even further, thanks to tertiary
colors.
Tertiary colors
are made by mixing a primary and a secondary color or by mixing
two secondary colors together. These colors (red-orange, blue-green,
yellow-green) are more subtle than their neighbors, and when
added to the color wheel, can create some lovely, delicate
color schemes. Now, a designer may pick from an analogous
color scheme (two colors located directly beside one another)
or a single split complementary color scheme (one primary
color and the two secondary colors on either side of its direct
complement). The latter is a particularly popular tool of
interior designers, who may choose one main color for a room
and then accent it with two secondary colors.
Color and Interior Design
Once basic color theory is understood, a designer
can begin to choose colors for a project. If designing a home
or interior space, picking a color based on the desired mood
can be a good place to start. Colors have been shown to impact
an individual's mood, although specific colors may mean something
different for each person. For example, warm colors like red,
yellow, and orange can convey comfort, but they can also evoke
anxiousness or anger. Similarly, cool colors like green, blue,
and purple may be interpreted as either calming or saddening.
Some designers may wish to take their design
a step further by adding color or texture to the ceiling of
a space. There are many ways to accomplish this, from textured
paint to decorative ceiling tiles, and each way can add a
new feel to the room. Gold tiles can add a sense of richness
and antique refinement, while a simple, flat color can give
the room a more modern vibe. The color of a room is ultimately
the choice of the designer, and it is up to them to pick the
colors that will be the most appropriate for the space in
question.
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