Understanding the Colour Wheel in Painting and Decorating

When it comes to decorating and interior design, using the colour wheel can help you in understanding colour schemes and how to use them in your home or office.

Primary colours: Red Yellow and Blue, the base colours from which all other colours are made from.
Secondary colours: Orange, Violet and Green. These are the colours made by mixing the primary colours.
Tertiary colours: These are the colours made by mixing two of the previous colours, either a primary and a secondary colour, or two secondary colours. 

To decide on the colour for the space first think about the look you want to achieve, is it to be a cosy relaxing room, an inspiring work space or a romantic boudoir. If you’re wanting to keep current accessories or furnishings, then have a look at the key colours they contain as your starting point.

Harmonious colour schemes use colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel, so if you have a red sofa you could look at working with orange and yellow or violet and magenta.
Monochromatic colour schemes use the same colour in different shades and hues. To match that red sofa you may want to try a salmon red feature wall and accessorise with dark red cushions.
Complimentary colours are those which sit opposite each other on the colour wheel, for decorating it can provide interesting uses of colour to add depth to a room. Match that red sofa with a pale mint green or rustic vintage green wall and dark green and white stripe cushions.
Contrasting colours are two colours from different segments of the colour wheel. You won’t find them in interior design very often as they can be quite uncomfortable to look at. The best example of how uncomfortable these colours can be is the Chromostereopsis effect using bright red and royal blue. On 2D flat images red appears to be closer and blue further away which causes a “flashing” effect as your eyes struggle to understand what they are looking at. You more than likely wont want your walls painting in red and blue stripes unless you want any visitors to feel that visual discomfort.

If you’re having difficulty trying to match colours then most paint companies have guides on their websites. Dulux lets you start with your main colour choice, asks which room and surface it’s for then shows you the palate you can work with, they even have their own app called the Dulux Visualizer where you can try colours on your room through the app. Crown let you view their paints by colour section and Farrow and Ball even offer a colour consultancy service if you’re really struggling. If wallpaper is more your style then Graham and Brown also let you view the wallpaper by colour scheme.

Colour psychology

It can be useful to understand the basics of colour psychology and the most appropriate colours you could use for the space depending on how it will be used.

• Red – Is known for increasing appetite, you’ll find many restaurants use red colour schemes for this reason. It can be associated with danger so may be used to accent danger points in offices, it’s also associated with passion so can be a popular choice for bedrooms however it can be a little overwhelming so try to use sparingly. Pink shades of red have a more aesthetically pleasing and soothing effect.
• Blue – Dark blue is known for decreasing appetite; some people use blue kitchen ware to help them eat less. Light blue is a cooling calm colour making it a great choice for summer houses or conservatory’s. It’s also been shown to improve concentration and stimulate thinking making it a good colour for study space or offices, keeping people calm yet also promoting productivity.
• Yellow – The joy of sunshine is passed through the colour of yellow, it’s a bright, positive, fun and optimistic colour. Use it as a highlighting colour or for a bright welcoming lounge or hallway to start and end your day in a good mood, however too much yellow can cause heightened tempers and tantrums so limit the use in rooms you spend a lot of time in.
• Green – The colour of nature, growth and balance. The right shade of green can create a relaxed laid back feeling like being out in the countryside, however a murky dirty green can make people uneasy and promote negative energy. A natural green colour scheme would turn a living room or bedroom into a relaxing retreat.
• Orange – Believed to aid digestion, lung function and increase energy levels. It can promote invigorating excitement and enthusiasm so would make a great colour for a gym or workout space. Accessorise with orange for areas and objects you use on a daily basis to encourage the positive psychological results. For people who are already bold and confident orange can bring out arrogance and flamboyant tendencies. Use in larger rooms with plenty of light as orange can make a room look smaller.
• Purple – Lighter purples and lilacs can bring a similar calming quality to blues but without feeling as cold, a bright purple is associated with creativity, luxury and royalty however dark purple can evoke sadness and frustration.
• Black – A dramatic colour that absorbs all light and reflects very little back. It’s associated with death and depression however black can be used to soften vivid bright colours with patterns or accents. If used sparingly it can transform a room and look very modern and sophisticated.
• White – Often white is just used as a neutral base colour before a tenant personalises the space, however it can be used by choice to make the most of natural light and create a serene environment. It can however risk looking clinical and sterile so if you prefer white walls then accent areas with a little colour or pattern to break up the potential starkness of the white.
• Ceilings - For ceilings, a colour lighter than the walls will make the ceiling appear higher, where a darker ceiling will make it feel lower and smaller, although this can be used to create a cosy feeling.

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