How to Select a Color Scheme

When selecting a color scheme for your home, there are several options to choose from. See the steps below for creating harmonious color schemes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Achromatic
   
   To create an achromatic color scheme, use only neutral colors. Neutral colors are white, black, gray, and sometimes beige or brown.

2. Monochromatic
   
   To create a monochromatic color scheme, use one color. The items used in a monochromatic scheme may be different shades, values, and intensities of the same color. They may also include neutral colors.

3. Analogous
   
   To create an analogous color scheme, use 1 primary color and 2 tertiary colors adjacent to it on the color wheel (see image above). The primary colors are red, blue, or yellow. A secondary color is what is created when mixing 2 primary colors together. Secondary colors include green, purple, and orange. A tertiary color mixes a primary color and a secondary color.
   
   An example of this would be a color scheme consisting of yellow, yellow orange, and yellow green.

4. Complementary
   
   To create a complementary color scheme, use 2 colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel (see image above). This would include red and green, yellow and purple, or blue and orange.

5. Double Complementary
   
   To create a double complementary color scheme, use analogous colors (see step 3) that are opposite each other on the color wheel. This would include yellow, yellow orange, and yellow green as well as purple, red purple, and blue purple.

6. Split Complementary
   
   To create a split complementary color scheme, use a color and the colors on either side of its complement (see color wheel photo above). An example of this would be blue, red orange, and yellow orange.

7. Triad
   
   To create a triad color scheme, use 3 colors that are equally spaced apart on the color wheel. This would include using all of the primary colors or all of the secondary colors.

8. Tetrad
   
   To create a tetrad color scheme, use 4 colors that are equally spaced apart on the color wheel. An example of this would be red, yellow orange, blue purple, and green.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are stuck on selecting a color scheme for your home, simply flip through interior design magazines or online photos to see what you like.

Resources

• How to Get Interior Decorating Ideas
• How to Understand Design Principles

[4dogday]

on 5/11/2009 Thanks for explaining how to choose a color scheme.

[Smireles]

on 3/8/2009 Thanks for the info.

[NuttyMomma]

on 3/7/2009 good and descriptive. thanks for this info.