Interior Design Technique Decorating with Color

DC 2 Continued

Decorating with color Challenge # 3
How to harmonize colors.

If only you could go to the paint store and pick up two colors of paint and your rooms would be perfect! Your decorating challenge will be solved when you understand what happens when you put colors together. There are only four types of color combinations or types of color schemes you need to decorate with style, your style.

Color Scheme # 1: Complementary colors or complementary harmony: This is two colors that are in total contrast. Red and green. Purple and yellow. Blue and orange. The effect is always stimulating and dramatic. Many schools use this color scheme for their school colors.
(These are colors found opposite on the color wheel.... no scientific stuff here, only decorating with color theory!)

Color Scheme # 2: Triadic colors or triadic harmony: Three different colors with the same depth of intensity make up this color scheme. The effect is a balanced look.

Color Scheme # 3: Analogous colors or harmony. Two or three different colors from the same color family. Terra cotta, shrimp and copper penny. (Orange, red orange and pale orange).
Yellow and browned yellow. (Butter and mustard).
This color scheme gives a softened look with contrast.

Color Scheme # 4: Monochromatic color or monochromatic harmony color scheme. One single color or differing intensities of the same color such as blue and light blue; dark taupe, taupe and light taupe. The effect is very quieting. Many find this the easiest color scheme to use and to live with.

What is the color harmony or palette of this room? Do the walls recede or come toward you? Do you notice the architectural details?

If you want a room that has energy and is bold, a complementary color scheme is a good choice.

The room is to be a retreat, a place to relax and read. A monochromatic color scheme choice will help you accomplish this.

How are you going to put this to use? (Decorating with color is the most frightening part of decorating for most) Try this mental exercise:

Decorating Challenge: You have a room you want to make into an adult retreat to get away from the kids. You want it to be a place you can nest in with comfy chairs and sofa, warmth and relaxation. You prefer deep, saturated colors and soft nappy fabric. The room, however, feels really small.

The solution: Paint the trim, doors and ceiling the same color as the walls. Maybe a middle-tone green or teal. Painting everything one color will make the space larger. The color scheme choice, green or teal, may be a restful soothing colors.

Make your window coverings the same color as the walls. Your furnishings could be in the same color family using deep tones you love (a color scheme of monochromatic harmony) and texture to draw attention to them. Your accessories should blend softly.

Your Own Decorating Challenges: Mentally do for each room what you just did for the one above. Write down the colors, use color swatches. Visualize. Refer to your decorating style photos or notebook.. Then choose your color scheme for decorating your rooms.

Of course, decorating with color is only one part of decorating a room, it can't stand alone, but is a huge part of your overall look and decorating style.

Other home decorating challenges, decorating with style articles, tips and ideas: Do them in order, do them as you like. Be inspired and enjoy.

Decorating Challenge - Discovering Your Decorating Style.
Decorating Challenge - Interior Design Decorating with Color.
Decorating Challenge - Interior Design Decorating with Texture
Decorating Challenge - Interior Design Decorating with Accessories