Choose a Color Scheme

Primary colors in a bathroom.

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.

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).

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.

• 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.

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:

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 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.

A color scheme is any set of colors that work together to create a visually appealing layout. The following are suggested combinations, but the possible combinations are limitless.

A monochromatic color scheme highlighted by natural light.

Lighting

• Natural light dramatically affects colors within a room:
  • A north facing room receives less direct sunlight than a south facing room.
  • A west facing room receives strong, warm light in the evening, casting an orange tint.
  • An east facing room receives strong bright, light in the morning, casting a white glow.
• Artificial lighting differs depending on the type of bulb:
  • Fluorescent bulbs provide a wide variety of colors ranging from warm incandescent-like color all the way to cool bluish-looking light. Fluorescent lamps also save money on electricity compared to most other light bulb types.
  • Incandescent lighting, which is generally the light used in homes, casts a yellow glow and makes warm colors more intense. Incandescent halogen lighting emits a whiter glow than pure incandescent lights. Incandescent halogen lights offer little color distortion.
  • Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) guarantee a higher quality (no flicker, no hum, no buzz) and they are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles to fit your décor and producing a warm and inviting light. In addition, they can save you money on your energy bills.

Planning

• The most natural setting for observing color is in nature. Flower gardens, produce stands and your own backyard provide the purest representations of color.
• Plan ahead by creating a scrapbook or sample board of color swatches, wallpapers and styles you find attractive. Paint and wallpaper stores generally have a wide variety of take-home samples available. Mix, match and test the samples in the room you're decorating at different times of the day.
• Be color-consistent throughout your home to create continuity. With the doors of your rooms open, determine how much of each room you can see from the adjacent room. Plan your color scheme in relation to how much of each room is visible from another room.
• Pick the colors you like best. Four core colors and two patterns should be the maximum; more creates too much visual stimulation:
  • Use as many accent colors as you like.
  • Select a dominant color from the core colors to start. Use a particular color scheme, either monochromatic, related or complementary.
• If you decide to start with a favorite pattern, match your colors to the pattern. Colors that are dramatically different in the pattern can be accented with light or dark tones of the same color. You can also use one main color with several tones to create an energetic color scheme.
• The wall color is usually the most dominant in the room, so if you're choosing paint for a wall, make sure you know what it will look like:
  • Paint a 2' x 2' color test and allow it to dry. Paint usually dries one to two shades darker.
  • Imagine that 2' x 2' section expanded throughout the entire room. A light peach, for example can make a room very pink in a particular light.
• Decide where you are going to use the colors in the room. The general rule when decorating is to use three different values: light, medium and dark:
  • Walls and floors are usually done in light colors, depending on the effect you're trying to create.
  • Floors should be a little darker than walls to keep them from "floating."
  • Window coverings and large pieces of furniture are often done in a medium value to pull the light walls and floors together.
  • The darkest of the colors should be used as an accent color scattered throughout the room.

Use colors to create an illusion in any room by contrasting different values; light and dark, warm and cool:

• You can visually lower a ceiling by painting it darker than the walls.
• Make the ceiling seem higher by painting it a lighter color than the walls.
• Use dark neutrals or warm colors on walls and floors to visually scale down a large room.
• Make a small room look larger by using light, pale colors on the walls, floors and ceilings.

If you enjoy changing the color scheme in your home often, use neutral colors on your walls and floors. Use accessories in a bold accent color to enhance and change the appearance of the room. For instance, a neutral room can be brought to life with electric blue pillows, curtains, scarves and area rugs. Whenever the redecorating mood strikes again, simply mix, match or change the accessories completely. Other ideas include:

• Use one wall in a room as a focal point. Paint the wall a complementary color or a darker shade of the main color in the room.
• Add white to a room to make patterns and colors appear lighter. If you add a dark color, such as black, the darkness of the pattern comes out.
• Paint your walls in two bold colors to tie in with a pattern on a rug or chair.