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!