Decorating with Color

Color Wheel

There are 12 colors in the color wheel

• 3 Primary Colors - Every other color is made from some combination of primary colors.

red blue yellow

• 3 Secondary Colors – 2 primary colors blended together (blue + yellow = green)

green, orange, purple

• 6 Tertiary Colors – “Dash” colors 1primary + 1secondary = 1 tertiary (blue + green = blue-green) blue-green, blue-purple, red-orange, red-purple, yellow-green, yellow-orange

COLOR DEFINITIONS

• HUE – another name for color

• TINT – to lighten a color by adding white

(red + white = pink)

• Shade – to darken a color by adding black

(red + black = maroon)

• Intensity – the strength of a color

• Value – the lightness or darkness of that color

Color Schemes

• Monochromatic – using tints and shades of 1 color in several intensities and values

• Analogous – Using 2-5 colors next to each other on the color wheel

• Complementary – Uses 2 colors directly opposite on the color wheel.

• Split Complementary – Uses 3 colors.

One color plus 2 colors on each side of it’s complementary color.

• Triadic – 3 colors equal distance apart on the color wheel. Forms 3 equal triangles.

• Neutral Color Scheme – black, grey, white, all browns (beige taupe)

• Accented Neutral – tints and shades of a neutral showcased by a bright color accent.

Decorating with Colors Tips

• Use neutrals as a base then add accent colors, or splashes of colors here and there. This is an easy tip if you like to change your decorating colors frequently.

• Be careful not to choose too many different color schemes. It will inhibit a feeling of continuity within your space. Use related color palates.

• Every room needs something black in color to ground the room. This color allows the eye to rest.

• To make a room look larger, cover the walls with a lighter color.

• To make a room look smaller, cover the walls with a darker color. This will make the mood of the room, a more intimate setting.

• If painting your walls a very dark color, use a dark primer first. This provides a base of color and saves on paint usage.

• Cool colors on the left side of the color wheel give a calm, restful effect.

It suggests relaxation. Cool colors have blue undertones. Think blue snow & ice, green meadows.

• Warm colors on the right side of the wheel give a stimulating and exciting effect. It suggests energy and warmth. Warm colors have yellow undertones. Think sun and fire.

Budget Decorating Ideas

• Multi-purpose furniture: use a trunk for a coffee table and storage

• Use neutrals as big furniture pieces to aide in frequent color and theme changes.

• Save money by buying used furniture and recover or slipcover it.

• Anything can be a headboard: curtains, fireplace mantle, canopy, door,

architectural piece, corkboard squares, molding and paint

• Make a focus wall: paint, mirror, wallpaper

• Add a touch of the complementary color to liven up a room.

• Use sheets that match bedding to make accent pillows and curtains.

Make your living area YOURS by using the

colors that make you happy!