The Color Wheel
A Guide to Layering Your Walls and Home with Color
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Whether revamping your living space or adding subtle pops, understanding the color wheel makes finding harmonious and visually appealing designs a breeze! Let’s talk about color and the nuances of color selection that will take your interior design skills to the next level.
Understanding the Color Wheel
The Color Wheel is a fundamental tool in the design and art world that illustrates the relationships between colors. It is made up of primary, secondary, and, and tertiary colors:
Primary Colors: Red, blue, and yellow. These colors are not created by mixing with other colors
Secondary Colors: Green, orange, and purple. Mixing two primary colors together makes secondary colors
Tertiary Colors: A mix of primary and secondary colors. For example, blue-green and red-orange.
The Key to Cohesive Design | Color Harmony
Color harmony is achieved by combinations of colors that are naturally pleasing to the eye. Consider these…
Complementary Colors: Opposite to each other on the color wheel, these are our blue-to-orange, green-to-red, and purple-to-yellow combinations. Using complementary colors creates high contrast with HIGH impact—the “Wow” factor.
Analogous Colors: Serene and comfortable, these neighboring colors sit directly next to each other on the color wheel. Examples include, blue, blue-green, and green.
Triadic Colors: Evenly spaced around the wheel, triadic color combinations offer a vibrant yet balanced look.
Applying the Color Wheel to Interior Design
The Color Wheel guides color palette decisions to ensure a cohesive and visually appealing design result.
Wall Color
Let’s begin with a dominant color. Neutral tones are a versatile canvas, giving you room to play with more vibrant accents and colorful furniture. Choose beige, gray, or eggshell white to accompany an array of colors. Alternatively, bold wall colors set a mood and make a statement informing the rest of your decor decisions.
Texture, Textiles, and Furniture
Using the color wheel, select complementary or analogous colors for your furniture and textiles. An example - if your walls are a soft blue hue, you could add a pop of color with a complementary shade of orange throw blanket. If soft and subdued is your vibe, opt for analogous accents, like cushions in a shade of green.
Accents and Accessories
Home accents are a great way to experiment with color without the commitment. Use the wheel to pick contrasting accessories like vases, lamp shades or throw pillows. Small pops of color tie a room together without overwhelming the space.
Artwork | The Ultimate Expression of Color
Original works of art make a huge impact in the world of home decor and interior design. Shop Ses Fleurs collection of original fine art on canvas and paper - full of vibrant colors and modern compositions. Here is how we use the color wheel to incorporate these pieces or any works of art into your home design.
Selection
When selecting artwork consider the color palette of your home or room. Choose pieces that either complement or contrast with your decor. If you have mostly cool tones, a work of art with warm shades of color adds contrast and creates a striking focal point. If the vibe is more serene and subtle, opt for art pieces that complement the surrounding palette. Using cool tones as your foundation - find pieces with similar colors or analogous colors on the wheel.
Color Balance
Artwork is wonderful in contributing to a room’s color balance. If you previously have trended towards a more neutral color palette, adding a vibrant original work of art adds a pop of color and interest. Is your space already colorful and vibrant? Choose more subdued and neutral artworks to balance your aesthetic. Vibrant colors and modern compositions from Ses Fleurs bring life and energy to any room, making them perfect for creating a balanced yet dynamic feel.
Placing multiple pieces in a room involves strategy. Use the color wheel to make these pieces work with each other while maintaining their impact. An arrangement of analogous colors creates a cohesive look for you lovers of subtle design, while complementary colored pieces give contrast with a bold vibrancy.
Practical Tips and Tricks for Using the Color Wheel
Experiment with Samples: Use paint samples and fabric swatches to see how your colors interact and co habit in your space
Consider Lighting: Natural and artificial lighting matter in how colors appears to the eye. Test out your choices in the lighting of your space.
Trust your Aesthetic: While the color wheel is a great tool in interior design, personal preferences are important too! This is your space, your canvas so choose what gives you joy and makes your senses sing.
Implementing the color wheel can have an impactful effect on your design skills, transforming your home decor from ordinary to extraordinary. Understanding color relationships and color harmonies gives you a valuable skill in creating a balanced, cohesive, and visually stunning space. Referencing these tips and tricks, you are on your way to designing a home to reflect your style and expertise.
Explore our collection of original fine art from Ses Fleurs!
