C O L O R

Warm Colors Includes: red, red-

orange, orange, yellow-orange, and yellow

Considered engaging, positive, and stimulating

They can enclose space If used in large areas

colors may create an irritable environment

Cool Colors Blue, blue-green,

green, violet, and blue-violet

They are generally relaxing and cooling

Expand space Possibly

perceived as cold and uninviting

Neutral Colors Gray, white, and black These are without hue Hue=color Called achromatic: in

Greek means without color

White with any small amount of color is considered neutralized

They are tranquil and unobtrusive

Consequently they may produce feelings of boredom

The Standard Color Wheel

Primary Colors Red Yellow Blue

Secondary Colors Orange Green Violet

Tertiary Colors Yellow-orange Yellow green Blue-green Blue-violet Red-violet Red-orange

Colors Three Dimensions

HueValue

Intensity

Hue Color name A color can be

lightened or darkened

Example: using a blue hue Light blue, dark blue,

bright blue, grey-blue They are all of a blue

hue

Value Degree of luminosity Lightness or

darkness of a hue Tint=adding white Shade=adding black Tone=adding black

and white

Intensity Or chroma Is the degree of

saturation Describes the

brightness or dullness

Color’s compliment (color directly across wheel)

Creating Color Schemes

AchromaticMonotone

MonochromaticAnalogous

Complementary

Achromatic Color scheme

created using black, white, or variations of grey

No identifiable hue

Monotone Created from a color

with low chroma Usually neutral

colors Accents of stronger

chroma may be used in accessories without changing the neutral scheme

Monochromatic Developed from a

single hue A range of intensities Different tones and

tints are used Enhanced by textures

such as wood, metal, stone, glass, and fabrics

Patterns are often incorporated

Analogous Any segment of

colors that are side by side on the standard color wheel

Use a great variety of values and intensities

Direct Compliment Simplest of the

contrasting color schemes

Any two colors that lie directly opposite each other on the color wheel

Used in equal amounts colors clash

Split Compliment Three-color scheme

composed of any hue plus the two hues next to its compliment

For example Yellow is dominant

color Red-violet and blue-

violet are complimentary colors

Triad Complement Another three-color

contrasting scheme Any three colors that

are equidistant on the color wheel

May be neutralized, raised, or lowered in value to produce a tranquil scheme

Psychological and Physiological Effects of

Colors

Feelings and Reactions Red

Courage, passion, love, danger, fire, strength

Yellow Cowardice, delicate, optimism, warmth,

sunlight Orange

Cheerfulness, stimulation, sunset When muted may appear cool or refreshing

Feelings and Reactions Blue

Honesty, truth, loyalty, sky, masculine Green

Envy, safety, peace, passivity, nature, serenity

Violet Royalty, snobbery, power, drama, worship

Feelings and Reactions White

Purity, cleanliness, sterility, freshness Black

Mourning, sorrow, sophistication, mystery, night Brown

Earth, wood, warmth, comfort, support Grey

Gloom, storm, fog, wisdom, intelligence, high-tech

Multiculturalism and Color Color is an

international language Every culture identifies

each other with something different

It is important to be sensitive to cultural color associations when working with clients from different cultures

Reflecting Personality When designing a

room the opinions of occupants should be considered

Personal preferences should always be the main considerations instead of trends

Reflecting the Mood of the Room

Color sets the mood of a room

Large areas with an intense color will be irritating

Neutralized tones for a large background are ideal

Interactions Between Color and the Elements

and Principles of Design

SpaceTexture

Size and ProportionBalance

Juxtaposition of ColorsLight

Space Near colors appear

darker Colors seem more

demanding in smaller spaces

When selecting a color from a small color sample it is best to select a color several tints lighter

When a tone is painted on four walls it is much darker than desired

Texture Color appears

differently when the texture is differed

Fabrics with a deep textured surface cast shadows therefore appearing darker

A dull surfaces absorbs colors and much of the natural light

Size and Proportion Furniture may appear

larger if painted or upholstered with colors in a strong chroma

A small room with demanding colors will seem even smaller

With skillful application of color a rooms dimensions may significantly be altered

Balance A small area of

dark color balances a large area of bright color

A small bright blue chair balances a large gray-blue couch

Juxtaposition of Colors The eye perceives color

in relation to it’s environment

People are color blind to two or four colors

When two primary colors are placed next to one another they appear tinted For example when blue is

placed next to red, the red takes on a yellow tint

Light Without light color does

not exist Always study the quality

and quantity of light when planning a room

When light is bright the color will be stimulating

Color will be lifeless without sufficient light

A room with low light levels is enhanced by light-reflecting colors

Applications of Color to Interior

BackgroundsCeilings

Paneled WallsWindow Treatments

Wood TrimColor in Wood

Ceilings If the objective is to

have the wall and ceiling look the same the ceiling needs to be a tint of the wall color because the walls reflect onto the ceiling

If wallpaper is used the ceiling can be a tint of the lightest color in the paper or the background

Paneled Walls With dark wood paneling colors of

intense chroma should be used because wood tends to absorb color

Lighter wood walls should use less intense colors for a more casual look

Dark Wood

Light Wood

Window Treatments If the objective is to have a completely

blended background the drapery should be the same hue as the walls

If you want a contrasting look a contrasting color should be used that is complimentary to the room

Wood Trim The trim is important to the general

color scheme When painted the trim can be

Same hue Darker shade of hue A contrasting color

Color In Wood Each type of wood has a particular

beauty Heavily grained wood has heavier

texture and vice versa for fine grained wood.

Always use woods in close proximity in grain

The Selection of a Color Scheme

Distribution of ColorColor Transitions

Visual Communication

Distribution of Color Planned color distribution is necessary Every room can be enhanced with some

dark, some light, and some medium values

Most rooms are planned around one dominant color

In commercial buildings dark colors are often used to hide ventilation systems and plumbing pipes

The dominant color is green and there are variations of green throughout.

Color Transitions From One Room to Another

When two rooms connect their color schemes should relate

One color should be carried from room to room For example: An accent color in one room is

used as a wall color in another room Usually flooring remains the same Similar ceiling colors are used Moldings are consistent Accessories help the flow

The same flooring and the same wall color throughout the house

Visual Communication Fabric, paint, and hard material

samples are useful when presenting ideas to a client

Actual samples of all items in approximate proportions may be helpful as well

Doing these things on presentation boards is very wise

Boards have both material samples and drawings

Color Forecasting Organizations that help determine color

preferences for residential and nonresidential:

Color Marketing Group The Color Association of the United States The Home Fashions League The International Colour Authority The National Decorating Products Association Colorcast