How to Choose Complimentary Interior Paint Colors
The science of color, also known as chromatics, is best understood using a color wheel---a wheel that uses colors to identify complementary shades and tones. Colors are categorized as primary (those which can be combined to make other colors), secondary (those which are created from mixing two primary colors) and tertiary (colors that are created by mixing two or more secondary colors). For a color to be complementary, it must be a color that is used in the make-up of a new color. For example, red and blue make violet, so red, blue and violet are complementary colors. The same is true for red, orange and yellow as well as blue, yellow and green. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Use color to warm or cool a room in your home. Select complementary colors such as red, orange and yellow to warm a room and complementary colors such as blue, green and violet to cool a room. Consider the psychology of color to determine which color temperature you wish to create for each room in your home. Bold colors, rich with intensity and tone, can exaggerate color temperatures making a bright reddish purple appear hot and a pale pink seem cool.
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Use a color wheel to help you understand which color combinations are the most harmonious color schemes for interior painting. You can obtain a free color wheel online or from a local interior design or interior painting company.
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Match colors based on shade. Create interesting combinations such as a red sofa with violet curtains and blue decorative pillows for the sofa. For an added touch, use blue picture frames or violet lamps. Opt for the same level of intensity and avoid mixing bright colors with pale pastels, which can create an imbalance and leave your home not very complementary at all.
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Choose a monochromatic color scheme. Choose the main hue for which you will design your color scheme. Complement the selected hue with lighter tones of the same shade to create a monochromatic interior. Neutral colors are ideal for a monochromatic color scheme; however, colors such as blues and greens also work well. Verify that the two shades match in tone for best results.
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Tips & Warnings
Have fun when choosing complementary colors and create a look that best matches your personality or home decor.
