Employing the Color Wheel in Home Decor Might Seem Superfluous, but According to a Color Pro, It's Infallible
The Color Spin. We've all seen it, heard the phrase, and know that it's some kind of swirling rainbow circle, but what does it actually do? When is it useful? And can you decorate with it?
Revolutionizing huescapes, the color wheel in interior design acts as a handy visual guide for selecting palettes, detailing the relationships between colors, and offering endless possibilities for experimentation. Think of it as a colorful compass.
It's a reminder that contrast isn't always a bad thing - a perfect pairing can create entirely new hues, and balance isn't always what you'd expect. At home, this concept unfolds in diverse ways. For instance, a deep emerald next to warm ochre can create a rich ambiance, while a soft blush against charcoal offers an unexpected edge.
To unravel the mysteries of the color wheel in interior design, we've dug deep into its secrets and discoveries. Whether you're a bold clash type of person, more into peaceful harmonies, or something entirely unexpected, the color wheel is your inspiration, not your restriction. Away we go!
The Color Wheel Breakdown
First things first, what exactly is a color wheel? It's a circular diagram showing the visible spectrum in a specific arrangement. Colors are placed with extreme precision in wheel-like formation, or sometimes in blocks that blend into each other. The color wheel consists of 12 main colors, categorized as primary, secondary, and tertiary.
The primary colors - the distinguishing trio we can recall - are red, yellow, and blue, also known as the RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) model. These colors are indispensable, as they cannot be created from a combination of other hues. However, a pair of primaries can makeup a secondary color, and a primary with a hue adjacent on the wheel creates a tertiary color. Green is made by combining yellow and blue, orange comes from combining yellow and red, and violet emerges from merging blue and red.
Tertiary colors, resulting from combining a primary with a secondary color, include vermillion (red-orange), magenta (red-purple), teal (green-blue), indigo (blue-purple), amber (yellow-orange), and chartreuse (yellow-green).
The joy of a color wheel lies in its straightforward presentation of color theory.
Reading the Color Wheel
To crack the code of the color wheel, all you need is a bit of insight - and we can thank Sir Isaac Newton for designing such a shrewd tool, still widely used today.
Take a look at the wheel, and the first thing you'll notice is that warm tones and cool tones reside together, because color relationships are based on temperature. Warm colors like reds, oranges, and yellows radiate energy and enthusiasm, while cool colors such as blues, greens, and purples evoke calm and depth, which contradict each other. The division serves as a guide for locating harmonious or contrasting colors.
There are various methods to read the color wheel and generate harmonious, balanced, dynamic palettes, but for now, there are two essential principles to focus on. You've likely observed that colors across from each other create striking contrasts, what we call 'complementary' colors. For instance, the primary/secondary complementary pairings comprise blue-orange, red-green, and yellow-violet, with secondary/tertiary complementary pairings encompassing vermillion-teal, magenta-chartreuse, and amber-indigo.
However, proximity matters too. Neighboring hues on the wheel, called 'analogous' colors, blend effortlessly without causing harsh contrast, naturally reinforcing each other's undertones to create a sense of depth and cohesion. Primary/secondary analogous pairings include blue-teal, red-vermillion, and yellow-amber, while secondary/tertiary analogous combinations range from teal-indigo to vermillion-magenta and chartreuse-green.
The Color Wheel at Work in Interior Design
In a nutshell, the color wheel in interior design eliminates the guessing game, providing a structured framework for making color decisions with confidence, and simplifying the process of creating palettes.
According to Kristina Khersonsky, founder of Studio Keeta, "The color wheel is essential for crafting visually harmonious and aesthetically pleasing interior designs. Employing the use of a color wheel ensures that designs adhere to traditional color theory, guiding pairings that venture off the beaten path and create meaningful impressions."
Kristina Khersonsky is the founder of LA-based STUDIO KEETA. In her work, Kristina focuses on the unconventional, breaking rules, and trends to create unique spaces that reflect her clients' tastes. To achieve this, she works closely with the color wheel, ensuring the ensuing designs are livable, while maintaining an air of the unexpected.
Starting a paint project at home? The color wheel is your valuable ally for gathering coordinating colors. Pick one initial color, and the wheel will steer you in the right direction. Whether you prefer bold contrasts or peaceful harmonies, or anything in between, the color wheel serves as your inspiration, not your limitation.
One color catches your eye on the wheel, but that doesn't mean you have to rush out and buy bright tangerine paint. The secret lies in the hue's nuances: There's a world of orange options within the wheel, from earth tones like terracotta and burnt sienna to brighter shades like party-time tiger and soft apricot.
"Our reactions to colors are emotional and intimate," says Emma Beryl Kemper, founder, and principal of Emma Beryl Interiors. "Established color schemes from the color wheel can aid in the color selection process, allowing for the creation of polished and sophisticated palettes, which encourage a harmonious and visually appealing interior design."
Complementary Colors
The idea of complementary - or opposing - colors in the home might seem a bit daunting since they're paired for maximum impact, unique appeal, and unforgettable flare. But it's the interaction that makes them captivating. By understanding the principles of balance in interior design, these contrasting pairings can bring energy, depth, and unexpected smoothness to a space.
According to Kristina Khersonsky, complementary colors oppose each other because they don't share any common base hues, resulting in tension and contrast that creates intriguing interiors. "Some of the most fascinating spaces utilize complementary color schemes," she explains. "Complementary colors can create a juxtaposition, making spaces especially striking."
Adjust the saturation levels and balance to create eye-catching complementary schemes that dance instead of overpower. For instance, a deep indigo with a subtle amber feels more sophisticated than bright cobalt and cherry red.
Rather than dividing a space 50/50 between two complementary colors, consider designating one shade as the main color while the other takes on supporting roles, for example, a rich green room with red accents. The space appears more intentional and less overwhelming.
"Balance complementary colors in a space by incorporating a subtle neutral version of the hues," advises Hannah Yeo, Senior Manager of Color Marketing at Benjamin Moore. "For example, a moss green can blend with a delicate pink to create a gentle, romantic color scheme."
Analogous Palettes
Using analogous color schemes - similar colors from the color wheel - in interior design creates flowing spaces, where a sense of seamless transition prevails. Such palettes evoke a feeling of smoothness and ease, and they induce a calming vibe to your surroundings.
"Analogous color combinations create a sense of stability among the most stable of color schemes," says Kristina Khersonsky. "They are effortless on the eyes, with no tension or contrast." Analogous color combinations work beautifully in open-plan spaces, where they contribute to a sense of unity and connection between zones.
"These schemes generate a tranquil effect due to their gentle variations," says Emma Beryl Kemper. "A simple approach is using one primary color while incorporating the other analogous hues as subtle accents." In a single-toned design, one main color creates more defined, less overly blended spaces, while still providing interest without overwhelming.
Another approach to experimenting with analogous colors includes fusing both warm and cool tones located close together on the color wheel. This method doesn't necessarily need to stick to either warm or cool hues - for example, a warm olive tone can be merged with cool sage for a subtly dynamic, nature-inspired look.
Emma Beryl Kemper is the founder and principal of Emma Beryl Interiors. She studied at the New York School of Interior Design and has authored a book, "House Rules: 100 Ways to Feel at Home" where she discusses the tenets of interior design, including utilizing color within homes.
Monochromatic Palettes
Another decorating method involving color selection relies on a monochromatic color scheme, a palette based on a single hue but accentuated by variations of tones, tints, and shades. It infuses different lighting levels against each other for contrast and variety, with a discerning edge.
In the home, these schemes create a chic, clean look, with a cohesive palette that's easy to live with, as it reinforces its own harmony. Since the scheme stays within a single section of the color wheel, it naturally creates a visually restful environment, making it ideal for spaces aiming for elegance and refinement.
Typically, a monochromatic palette includes one color from the wheel, with white, black, or gray added for different variations of that beloved hue. We live in a more relaxed era, and a modern monochromatic interior encompasses designs that use just one color in general, like a combination of greens ranging from seafoam to shamrock, or a mix of yellows spanning butterscotch to banana.
According to Emma Beryl Kemper, "Color schemes such as navy, royal blue, indigo, and powder blue are simple to implement, providing a streamlined and polished appearance." If blue is your chosen color, consider going beyond the options on the color wheel and think of neutrals with blue undertones. For instance, combining light sky blue with a deep navy and a neutral gray blue might be an option, adds Hannah Yeo.
Keeping such single-colored spaces from appearing flat requires layering tones, with a dash of lightness next to a touch of darkness always proving compelling. "The all-immersive monochromatic color selection creates a cozy, warming effect," says Kristina Khersonsky. "Incorporating textural elements or patterns within that chosen hero hue ensures visual interest, enabling the eye to freely roam while maintaining resting points throughout."
The 60-30-10 Rule
The 60-30-10 rule is a widely respected design principle used to manage color effectively. It eliminates indecision by suggesting percentages for the space's dominant, secondary, and accent colors. The rule goes as follows: 60% of the room is dedicated to the main color, 30% to the secondary color, and 10% to the accent color.
"Ratio and proportion play a crucial role in establishing mood and maintaining balance within a 60-30-10 space," says Hannah Yeo. "For example, using a deep brown as your primary color generates a moody atmosphere, but integrating a lighter off-white on the trim, ceiling, and through accents prevents the room from feeling too dark. Adding an accent color enhances the appeal."
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of rules, particularly those involving percentages; however, the 60-30-10 principle serves as a starting point or rough guideline for determining how much hue to allocate to each area. Remember, don't overthink it too much, and percentage calculators are generally optional.
Triadic Palettes
A triadic color palette utilizes colors evenly spaced around the color wheel. For instance, red, yellow, and blue would create a classic, bold combination, while coral, sage, and indigo offer a softer statement.
According to Kristina Khersonsky, "Using a triadic color scheme can generate vividity and harmony in the space." Different strategies can be employed to tame such vibrant mixtures. "A secondary color triadic combination – such as orange, green, and purple – is subtle and has gained popularity with influences from 70's design," she adds.
Decorating with triadic shades presents options. "Triadic color schemes work optimally when one color serves as the 'hero' while the other two play supporting roles, for example, blue as the main color with yellow and red as accents," recommends Emma Beryl Kemper. "Triadic color combinations naturally exude energetic visual appeal. However, be mindful when incorporating each color, focusing on ratio and proportion," advises Hannah Yeo. "Experiment with altering the saturation levels, evenly distributing colors throughout the room, or folding them into the 60-30-10 rule for added design merit."
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Craving more color wheel excitement? Why not delve into square color schemes, high-key versus low-key schemes, tetradic/slip-complementary schemes (different from triadic schemes), or warm-to-cool gradients?
There's an entire world of color exploration waiting for you when it comes to interior design. Each studied approach offers fresh ways to play with color harmony, contrast, and combinations, allowing designers to create stunning spaces tailored to clients' preferences.
- In the realm of interior design, the color wheel serves as a valuable tool for creating visually harmonious designs, guiding pairings that venture off the beaten path and produce impressive results.
- The primary colors in the color wheel consist of red, yellow, and blue, known as the RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) model, and they are indispensable, as they cannot be created from a combination of other hues.
- The joy of a color wheel lies in its straightforward presentation of color theory, making it easier for designers to understand the relationships between colors and creating attractive color combinations.
- Whether you're into peaceful harmonies or bold contrasts, the color wheel acts as your inspiration, not your restriction, offering numerous possibilities for experimentation in interior design.
- While complementary colors - opposing colors found on opposite sides of the color wheel - can create tension and contrast, they can add depth and unexpected smoothness to a space when balanced properly.
- Analogous color combinations, such as different shades of blue or yellow found next to each other on the color wheel, create flowing spaces with a calming vibe due to their gentle variations.
