How To ..... CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLOUR

Colour is a specialist subject and in order to understand how to use colour you must first understand the basic colour principles.


COLOUR PRINCIPLES

There are 3 Primary Colours:

- Red
- Blue
- Yellow

These are known as pure colours or hues.

When you mix the pure colours together then you achieve the Secondary Colours:

- Red + Blue = Violet
- Red + Yellow = Orange
- Blue + Yellow = Green

If you then mix one of the primary clours with a secondary colour you will produce the Tertiary Colours:

- Red + Orange = Red/Orange
- Red + Violet = Red/Violet

- Blue + Green = Blue/Green
- Blue + Violet = Blue/Violet

- Yellow + Green = Yellow/Green
- Yellow + Orange = Yellow/Orange

Each season, colour experts mix the Primary Colours together, with Black and White, to produce a new and refreshing colour palette. For example, Dulux are showcasing this season's colours as:

- Red based = Ruby Startlet and Mulberry Burst
- Blue based = Lost Lake and Teal Tension
- Yellow based = Lemon Pie and Pale Citrus

When white is added to a colour it makes that colour lighter = Tone.
When black is added to a colour it makes that colour darker = Shade.

This is very useful to know when you start to plan the colour scheme for your property as it enables you to alter the perspectives and overall feel of a room.

A dark colour will make a wall advance towards you, making a room feel cosy and intimate, whereas a light colour will make a room appear larger and more spacious.


WARM & COOL COLOURS

In the UK there are certain colours that advance and warm up a room, and others that recede and cool down a room:

Warm Colours include:
- Red
- Violet
- Yellow
- Orange
- plus their associated tones and shades.

Cool Colours include:
- Blue
- Green
- plus their associated tones and shades.

Using warm and cool colours you can alter the perspectives and visual proportions of a room, ie: make a room appear wider or narrow than it physically is.


NON-COLOURS

Black, White and Grey (a mix of black and white) are considered to be non-colours. They provide a link or a contrast in a colour scheme.


MONOCHROMATIC COLOUR SCHEME

A monochromatic colour scheme is where one colour is used from the colour wheel, eg: Red. The design focuses on variations of the tones and shades of this one colour to add interest and appeal to the scheme.

Sometimes the single colour is limited to the accent pieces and the design is pulled together with a neutral backdrop. For example, a black and white room with highlights of red in the accessories.


HARMONIOUS COLOUR SCHEME

A harmonious colour scheme focuses on two colours next to each other on the colour wheel, eg: Yellow and Orange.

They create either a relaxed or a vibrant room scheme depending on the colours, tones and shades selected, eg: Relaxed = Blue + Violet, Vibrant = Green + Yellow.


CONTRASTING COLOUR SCHEME

A contrasting colour scheme is where colours are selected from opposite sides of the colour wheel, eg: Blue + Orange.

Generally one colour will be selected as the main colour with accents or highlights being provided by the opposite colour from the colour wheel.


Now that you know a little more, how do you chose the right colours in your room?

Firstly you need to decide how you want the room to feel, eg: cool and relaxing or perhaps warm and inviting? From this you may have preferences towards either the warm colours or the cool colours.

Secondly, you then need to identify which colour scheme will best suit the room. Do you want something plain and simmple (monochromatic), quite relaxing (harmonious) or very striking (contrast)?

Thirdly, you need to decide on the strength of colour required. Do you want an all over colour in the room or are you trying to create a more subtle design? This will help you decide where and how colour should be incorporated into the design, ie: make it bold and paint all of the walls in a sumptuous shade or highlight pockets of interest with artwork and cushions.

Once you've added all of these elements together you should have a fabulous room.

If you get stuck or find this all a little too challenging then it's easier for you to copy the colour scheme from a magazine picture that you like, or pick out colours from your favourite fabric or a special piece of artwork.

As always we're here to help you so just get in touch if you need a little expert advice:

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON
CREATIVE INTERIOR DESIGNER (RESIDENTIAL)
Tel: 07841 519802
gwendoline@ga-interiors.co.uk

CHRISTINA GEORGALLA
CREATIVE INTERIOR DESIGNER (COMMERCIAL)
Tel: 07950 401722
christina@ga-interiors.co.uk