The Basics Of Color Coordination

Remember, first of all, you see color differently than someone else. This is a unique characteristic not to be overlooked. Second, there are simple color rules. An actual color is referred to as a hue. These hues are broken down into primary, secondary and tertiary categories.

Primary colors/hues are red, yellow and blue. They are the pure hues, not achieved by mixing the colors. You cannot get yellow from combining blue and red.

Secondary colors are also restricted to three hues: green, violet/purple and orange. They are created from combining the primary colors.

Tertiary colors are twice the number of either primary or secondary. They are the hues of red-orange, red-violet, blue-green, blue-violet, yellow orange and yellow-green. They are a combination of primary and secondary colors.

All these hues are said to be part of a color wheel in which shades sit next to each other or are on the opposite side. The side-by-side hues are called analogous; the ones on opposite sides of the wheel are referred to as complementary while those within the same color are called monochromatic.

To put this all into simple terms, if you have done your bedroom all in red it is a monochromatic color scheme. Add greens to the reds and it becomes a complementary system. If you stay within the range, using orange and red, it is an analogous color scheme.

So, how does all this help you to understand color co-ordination? It should point out several things including what colors appear to go together and what clash. This is an essential part of understanding what can and cannot work in home design.

Once you understand what comprises the color wheel, you can ignore the terms and concentrate on the hues. Whenever you approach a project in which color can play an integral role in providing the correct mood, enhance the theme or indicate a specific characteristic, consider the options. Make your own color wheel, positioning your favorites and preferred colors in their spot, and play with it.

What are your favorite colors? How can you use the? Take your own wheel and pick a color you intend to use. Ask yourself the following questions: “What looks good beside it? What makes it jump out? And what contrasts with it?

Experiment by placing the colors you are drawn from and tend to use, side-by-side. This will provide you with your own working color palette. It is then up to you to expand it, go beyond your safety zone and maybe experiment with a wider variety of colors.

Consider, as well other factors such as light and medium. Colors that harmonize in the brightness of day may become muted and at odds in the dark. Are you creating a room that can respond to the changes in lighting?

Paint finishes run from super glossy to matte. Matte finishes are often considered better because they reflect less light and don’t alter the color as much as glossy finishes are capable of doing. Glossy finishes, however, can brighten a room and make a color look more intense.

There is a lot to consider when working with color. Color coordination comes more natural to some than others, but with practice it can be improved.