color theory

back to index   •   next page >

 

The Color Wheel

Every color bears some type of relationship to all other colors.  Take a look at the illustration on this page.  It is called a “color wheel.”  By becoming familiar with the color wheel, you will have a better understanding of the relationship between colors.  More important, you will be better able to select combinations of colors that will look great on your home!

Working with the color wheel, you can devise an almost limitless number of attractive decorating schemes.  But most successful color combinations will fall into one of the following categories:

 

MONOCHROMATIC

This color scheme employs only one basic color, but in several different values.  An example would be a home exterior with light blue siding and dark blue shutters and trim.

 

 

 

ADJACENT

This system combines two or more colors that are located next to each other on the color wheel – orange, yellow-orange and red-orange, for example.  To get the best results with this system, try to select colors that do not have the same value and intensity.

 

 

COMPLEMENTARY

This type of scheme uses colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green, or yellow and violet.  If you choose this system, you might want to select a subtle color and a dominant color, to prevent the colors from clashing.

 

 

TRIADIC

A triadic scheme employs three colors that are equidistant on the color wheel – as an example, yellow, blue and red.  For best results, you should choose one dominant color and use the other two as subtle accent colors.

 

 

Color Vocabulary

HUE

The basis of a color, e.g., whether it is a red or a green.  Lighter or darker variations are still the same hue.  Thus, a light red and a deep red are of the same hue.

 

 

VALUE

The lightness or darkness of a color, i.e., light blues, medium blues and dark blues have different values.

 

 

 

 

SHADES

Those colors with values closest to black, e.g., the darker reds, the darker blues, and so forth.

 

 

 

TINTS

Those colors with values closest to white, e.g., the lighter reds, the lighter blues, and so forth. 

 

 

 

TONE

A color’s intensity, i.e., brightness or dullness.  When gray is added to a color like red, it dulls its intensity and renders it a darker tone.

 

 

back to index   •   next page >