In part 1 (Understanding the color wheel), we learnt about the basic elements of a color wheel and how colors are categorised in different ways. In this part, let’s learn more about color theory and color schemes to make your home interiors lovely and creative.
Hue, Shade, Tint and Tone
Wondering if these words are synonyms? The color wheel is a great tool to understand the difference between all these terms.
Hues are the brightest and fully saturated version of the colors that are located on the outermost edge of the color wheel.
Tints are created when white is mixed into a color. For example, adding white to red-orange gives us peach or adding white to red-violet gives us lilac.
Tints turn a vibrant color into a pastel color and are the lightest version of a color.
Adding grey to a color creates tones which are duller than the original color.
Shades are obtained by adding black to a color to deepen it. Therefore, this is the darkest version of a color.
Creating tints, tones and shades from hues greatly increases the variety of colors that are available to you.
Color schemes
Color schemes are basically a combination of colors that go well together. A good color scheme is one that is attractive without either being too overwhelming or too dull.
There are 7 basic types of color schemes. In this post, we’ll look at the first four types.
Monochromatic scheme: This color scheme is the safest and most soothing as it uses tints, tones and shades of the same color. However, this color scheme is not suitable if you want to highlight a part of your room, due to the lack of adequate color contrasts.
Monochromatic color schemes work best with neutral colors like white, grey, beige etc. rather than vibrant hues.
If using vibrant hues, experiment with tints, tones and shades of the hue for a pleasing effect.
Analogous scheme: Analogous color schemes are created using similar colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. This color scheme offers more contrast than the monochromatic one.
However, it is best to avoid combining warm and cool colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.
In the living room featured, the yellow and green colored sofas add a dash of color to the decor having walls in neutral colors.
Complementary scheme: This color scheme works with colors that are directly opposite to each other on the color wheel. The high contrast between 2 complementary colors is used together to create a bold, vibrant look.
A complementary color scheme is ideal for places like children’s rooms, eateries and salons to project a cheery, youthful and energetic vibe.
However, this color scheme should be avoided while doing up large spaces or at least modified by using one dominant color and subtle hints of its complementary color.
In the restaurant decor featured here, green is the dominant color ably complemented by a dash of red from the chairs and the neutral-colored flooring and sofa seating.
Shades of green and red are complementary not only because they are placed opposite each other in the color wheel but also because green is a cool color while red is a warm one.
Split complementary scheme: This scheme combining three colors, is less dramatic than the two-color complementary color scheme. It uses a base color and combines it with the two colors that flank its complementary color.
The shades of yellow, blue and lavender used for the seating in the restaurant decor featured here, follow a split complementary color scheme.
Do let us know which of these color schemes appeals to you the most. In our next section, we will tell you about colour schemes that use more colours together. If you found this post useful, share it and tweet about it!
