Let’s reminisce about those creative days back at school, where our color schemes were limited to red, yellow, and blue, the primary colors, and we did our best to create a masterpiece, only to end up with a murky mix of brown and gray sludge. It was our first lesson in color theory, teaching us how different hues interact and the importance of balance in a color scheme!
Little did I know in infant school that I was getting to know the fundamentals of color theory. A concept used across various creative disciplines, including interior design, art, and fashion.
Table of Contents
Color Theory
To get a reasonable comprehension of color schemes, we’ll need to dive into the magical world of colors where nothing makes sense but also kind of does and get to know what will be your new best friend: the color wheel.
Achromatic Color Schemes
Ok, fun fact: black and white aren’t technically colors; they’re shades. An achromatic color scheme uses black, white, and gray in a sophisticated, simple, and strangely dramatic way. The picture below shows what a striking statement this combination can create.
Souceatelierkauldhar.com
Monochromatic Color Schemes
Monochromatic schemes are basically a one-color monopoly, where all the shades, tints, and tones are just variations of the same hue. This is how to make a room look effortlessly harmonious; it really is the minimalist superstar of the design world.
Source: Margaret D. Lange
Complementary Color Schemes
They say that opposites attract, and this couldn’t be more true than when it comes to this color combination. This union is easy to create; all you have to do is pick two colors opposite each other on the color wheel, and hey presto, you’ve got yourself a complementary color scheme. It really is the peanut butter and jelly of the interior design world; you wouldn’t expect them to go together, but they really do.
dykeanddean.com
Analogous Color Schemes
This look can be acheived by using three consecutive colours on the colour wheel. They literally are the best friends of the color wheel. Great for creating calm, unified spaces.
Source: benjaminmoore.com
Triadic Color Schemes
When three hues that are equally spaced on the color wheel are combined, this is the result. A balanced, yet vibrant combination, The Three Musketeers of design.
Source: explorewalldecor.com
Split Complementary Color Schemes
Split complementary are like the color wheel’s idea of a rom-com: one main color and two “almost-opposites” vying for attention. It’s a bold yet harmonious trio. Pick a main color, find its opposite on the color wheel—but instead of choosing that color, take the two neighbors next to it, and you’ll have a team that’s bold, balanced, and a little flirty.
Source: insidedecors.com
Tetradic Color Schemes
A tetradic color scheme is like a fabulous double date. It’s made up of two pairs of complementary colors that come together to create a vibrant, energetic vibe. Pick two colors on the color wheel. Find their opposites (complementary colors).Boom! You now have four colors: two main stars and their equally dazzling sidekicks. A vibrant and playful way to create
Source: Pinterest
The right color scheme will set the mood, bring harmony, and let your personality shine through. Whether you feel drawn to the calmer coordination of monochromatic, the striking opposites of complementary, or the bold energy of a tetradic palette, getting to know the color wheel will set you in the right direction and hopefully make your decorating decisions a whole lot easier.