Choosing the right colour scheme for your home can be lots of fun but many find themselves veering away from choosing colours as it can be an intimidating process.
So, how and where do you get started when choosing colours? This is where colour theory comes in! In this article, we’ll explain the basics of what colour theory is and get into the nitty-gritty of choosing the right colour and how to best apply it to your home.
What is Colour Theory?
Colour theory is, in essence, the way we use to process and interpret colours. This involves different types of colour combinations as well as the proportions of each colour and the recommended uses of the colours.
We all see colour in our own unique ways. Depending on our individual experiences and sensitivity to our environment, each colour represents different meanings to us. To prevent us getting overwhelmed, colour theory is a way to simplify the process of choosing colours and this is where the colour wheel comes in, which is where colour theory is derived from.
The Colour Wheel
The colour wheel consists of three primary colours which are blue, yellow and red. When they are mixed together, they create the colours green, orange and purple, also known as secondary colours. And when you further mix secondary and primary colours together, you get the six tertiary colours which are blue-green and orange-red. Let’s not forget mixing in white and black, which results in even more colours!
When drawing a line between the colour wheel, you’ll find that the wheel is separated into two sides, one side for warm colours and the other side for cool colours. When you choose a warm and cool colour together, they both create harmony and these are called complementary colours.
Aside from choosing complementary colors to come up with a color scheme, there are also other ways to choose: triadic where you draw a triangle on the colour wheel to create bold palettes, monochromatic, which are tones of same or similar hues to create neutral palettes, analogous which are choosing colours next to each other such as red-purple and many more!
How do We Choose the Right Colour?
Well, here’s the thing. There’s no right way to choose the right colour or colour combination! However, bad choices can be made when selecting colours for your home so here are some tips for you to take note!
Understand the different spaces in your home.
When choosing a colour or colours, this is where we often get it wrong and that is not understanding the intended use of a room. Colours can help to set up or tone down spaces. It can set the general mood and in turn, influence the way we feel. For example, cool colours such as blues and purples add a sense of calm to a space whereas bright and warm colours such as yellows and reds tend to bring energy and liveliness.
Lighting is key.
Lighting is an important feature in any home and depending on the colour chosen, it can either subtly or drastically alter the appearance of a room.
It’s important to keep in mind about the different times of day and how the colours in each room will look when light hits it. How do the colours look in the morning light compared to artificial lighting? And does the lighting enhance the colours in the room or does it diminish it?
It’s all about the accent colours.
You may have heard about accent colours but you’re not too sure why they’re important. Accent colours are typically used for emphasis and to enliven a space with neutral tones.
For example, you’ve chosen a monochromatic colour scheme for your home but decide to add a little with rose gold sofas! Whether you’ve chosen a bold or toned-down colour, the key takeaway here is that the accent colour should draw attention but never dominate!
Ultimately, choose colours based on personal style!
Your home should always be a space where you feel safe and comfortable. It is your sanctuary so always choose colours that reflect your personal style and the overall vibe you want your home to radiate.
Still not sure if the colours you're choosing are right for your home? Feel free to drop us a message and we’ll be happy to help!