top of page
Writer's pictureStudio Interplay

Colour Theory Basics: How To Use Color Theory in Interior Design?

Updated: Jul 17

Stepping into a beautifully designed setting might feel like entering a different realm. Colours play a key part in generating this magic, influencing our moods and establishing the overall tone. However, with such a diverse range of interior designing colours available, selecting the correct ones can be difficult. Have no fear! This blog reveals the intricacies of colour theory, a powerful tool that will help you build harmonious and visually attractive places. Whether you're remodelling your entire house or merely updating a room, understanding colour theory will help you make informed selections and prevent costly blunders.


As you explore the world of colour theory, remember that top interior designers in Gurgaon, such as Studio Interplay, are always available for expert advice. So, get ready to discover the secrets of colour and convert your home into a colourful reflection of your style!


A Brief Introduction to Colour Theory


By now, even amateurs have understood how fundamental choosing the right colour is for ensuring a promising interior design. With the right colour picks, you will notice how seamlessly your furnishings, furniture, and decor unify. Moving on to the original colour theory, to understand this, we first need to know about the colour wheel. This is an accommodating tool that represents the linear spectrum of visible light (the colours found in the rainbow from red to violet) and connects the ends of the line to create a circle. This wheel was developed by scientists and artists and even attributed to Sir Isaac Newton. Therefore, by now you must have comprehended how this is not your regular colour palettes with random shades but a comprehensive framework and foundation for artists and designers. 


Some features that designers focus on while defining colour theory in interior design are: 


  1. Hue: The name of the colour (red, blue, etc).

  2. Value: The lightness or darkness of the colour that is defined by the amount of light the colours reflect.

  3. Intensity or Chroma: This is the degree of strength or purity. 

  4. Tints: This is a lighter colour tone than the normal value of the pure hues in the colour wheel. 

  5. Shades: This is a darker colour tone than the normal value of the pure hues in the colour wheel.  


Colour Theory Basics

Methods to Incorporate Colour Theory Basics in Your Home Interior


1. Delving Deeper into the Colour Wheel

To understand interior designing colours better,  check out the three categories of the colour wheel:


  1. Primary Colours: These comprise blue, red, and yellow.

  2. Secondary Colours: These home interior colour options are formed by mixing the primary colours - green, purple, red-orange, and more. 

  3. Tertiary Colours: As expected, these room interior colour options are formed by mixing both secondary and primary colours in a ratio of 2:1. 


2. Selecting your Home Interior Colour Family

Now that you know the colour wheel, understand which one would be your ideal colour family. For a warmer tone, go for reds, yellows, oranges, browns, and more. For a cooler vibe, go for blues, purples, greys, and more. While warm tones bring out an energetic feel, the cooler ones offer relaxation.  

Adjoin Rooms with Rugs and Flooring

3. Interior Designing Colours that Complement Your Ceilings and Walls

One basic colour theory feature one needs to take care of is, that painting the same colour on your walls and ceiling might not always be a good idea. What can be done is, go two or three shades lighter for your ceiling to enhance lighting in an otherwise shady space. On the other hand, you can also choose between a high-contrast lacquer ceiling finish to add depth and drama to the space. 


4. Adjoin Rooms with Rugs and Flooring

One brilliant way to keep a sync among all the interior design colours is to adjoin rugs and floorings between the rooms. To make it a bit easier to understand, a colourful patterned hallway runner can bridge the gap between a warmer room with shades of red or orange and a cooler room with blues and greys. 


5. Don’t Fear Grays

Greys are considered one of the commonest natural colours that go well with different interior styles - victorian, modern, simple, extravagant, and so on. You can combine greys with contrasting pop colours. 


6. The 60-30-10 Rule

All of the top interior designers in Gurgaon are aware that home decor space is categorized into 60-30-10. This means, 60 forms the dominant colour of the walls, 30 is the secondary shade, generally for the upholstery, and 10 is an accent colour for accessories. 


The world of home design colours is no longer a secret! With your improved understanding of colour theory, you can make informed decisions and design a setting that reflects your personality and creates the appropriate mood. Remember that colour theory is a guide rather than a set of strict rules. Experiment, have fun, and follow your intuition! And if you ever feel overwhelmed by the abundance of options, don't hesitate to seek advice from top interior designers in Gurgaon. Reputed interior designing agencies like Studio Interplay can turn your concept into a spectacular reality by utilising colour theory to its maximum potential. So, release your creativity, embrace the power of colour, and set out on a journey to convert your home into a haven of beauty and comfort.


FAQ's

1. What are the primary, secondary, and tertiary colours, and how are they formed?

Primary colours (red, yellow, and blue) cannot be blended with others. Secondary colours (orange, green, and purple) are created by combining primary. Tertiary colours (red-orange, yellow-green, etc.) are a combination of primary and secondary colours. These mixtures produce a wide range of colours.

2. How do hue, value, and intensity affect colour perception in a room?

3. What is the 60-30-10 rule in interior design, and how is it applied?

4. How do warm and cool colour families impact a room's atmosphere?


Comments


bottom of page