Photo: Daniil Silantev (Unsplash)
Once you’ve decided to paint the interior of your home – or even just a room – the next decision is a lot tougher: choosing a color scheme. Maybe you really like canary yellow, but you worry about this type of commitment. Or maybe you mentioned that you chose to paint and everyone keeps telling you your options are white, off-white, gray, or gray, but you hate the idea of living in such a bland room.
The point is, choosing a color scheme isn’t always easy. Fortunately, there are some strategies out there to make the task less daunting. Shelby Deering breaks them down in an article for hunkers. Here’s what to know.
Types of color schemes
To quickly freshen up color theory, here are the six types of color schemes: Courtesy Deering::
- Monochrome: You may already be familiar with this term as it has been very popular over the past few years. A monochromatic color scheme is when variations of the same color are displayed in a room.
- Complementary: This color scheme contains hues that are opposite each other on the color wheel, e.g. B. Purple and Orange, and Red and Green.
- Analogous: These colors are right next to each other on the color wheel, e.g. B. Yellow and Orange.
- Triad: This color scheme consists of three shades that are equidistant from each other on the color wheel and form a triangle. An example is yellow, red, and blue.
- Split complementary: A split complementary scheme mixes a single color with its complementary color and then the two colors on either side – yellow and blue-purple would match red-purple, for example.
- Tetradic: This double complementary color scheme is made up of two complementary pairs, resulting in a rectangular shape on the color wheel – that is, green and blue match orange and red.
How to choose a color scheme
With so many options, how can you narrow your choices for a color scheme? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Pick a starting point
There are two ways to do this: choose a wall color first, then choose furniture and decor based on the color, or vice versa. “You can draw colors from a pattern as you set your scheme,” writes Deering. “For example, a carpet or a work of art can inspire a palette for the entire room.”
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Stop at three colors
Limit your color scheme to three colors so it doesn’t get too overwhelming.
Choose a color scheme that suits your decor style
When you know you are going to go for a particular style of decor – Art Deco, Rustic, Mid-Century Modern, etc. – choose colors that go with the style. “For example, if you love a farmhouse, a more neutral palette might be the best addition,” writes Deering. “Or if you’re a bohemian enthusiast, go for warm, toned down shades.”