Learn About Color
In order to better understand color selection and why colors work together, you need to understand color theory. The basic map for color theory is known as the color wheel. The color wheel is a circular arrangement of the spectrum that illustrates the relationship between colors.
HUE
Refers to the color family or name of a color such as: red, orange and blue
VALUE
Is the degree of lightness or darkness of a color.
SATURATION
Refers to the intensity of the color. The amount of black added to a color will lessen the colors saturation, making it more muted.
PRIMARY
Red, yellow and blue.
SECONDARY
Green, orange and purple.
TERTIARY
Primary and Secondary mixed: Yellow-Green, Blue-Green, Red-Purple.
WARM
Warm colors have a cozier feeling and make a welcoming statement in a room.
COOL
Cool colors evoke a more tranquil mood within a space.
MONOCHROMATIC
If you're looking for a clean, sophisticated look, the monochromatic color scheme is for you. A monochromatic scheme is the easiest to create with subtle variations in lightness and saturation of a single color. The result is a look that's calming, organized and buttoned-down.
ANALOGOUS
You might think that opposites attract, but it's the colors adjacent to each other that really offer the nuances. Pick one color as a dominant color and use the colors that are adjacent to it for accents, to give the scheme some texture and visual interest.
COMPLEMENTARY
If you've picked a dominant color and you're looking to create contrast, pick a color directly across the wheel for a complementary scheme. The two colors will intensify each other for a lively, vibrant scheme.
