Decoding Color: A Simplified Guide to Colour Theory

 Put together perfect colour schemes with our simple guide to colour basics.

Recognise the colour wheel

The conventional colour wheel can be a helpful tool for arranging essential colours and for creating decorating plans for any kind of project or area.

Three primary categories of colour exist:

The three primary colours are blue, yellow, and red. These three fundamental components are used to create all other hues.

The secondary colour spectrum includes green, violet, and orange. Two primary hues are combined to create each of these colours. Orange is produced by combining red and yellow, violet by combining blue and red, and green by combining blue and yellow.

Primary and secondary colours can be combined to create tertiary hues, as can two secondary colours. Magenta and chartreuse (yellow and green) are two examples. 

Make up your own colour palette.

Once you have these fundamental hues organised on a wheel, you may use three safe colour combinations to create three primary sorts of decorating schemes:

Tone systems, often known as monochromatic colour schemes, employ different shades of the same colour. This colour scheme is ideal for spaces where you wish to create a serene, peaceful atmosphere. Consider painting your walls a medium blue, your ceiling a very light blue, and the woodwork a deep navy blue.

Colours that are situated next to one another on the colour wheel are used in harmonious or similar schemes. Together, these create a stunning room plan. Combine orange and red hues, or blue and purple hues.

Hues that are directly opposed to one another on the colour wheel are used in complementary or contrasting colour schemes. Despite their contrast, these always look great together. This colour scheme offers a captivating interplay of hues, and the effect you achieve can be whimsical or dynamic based on the intensity of the colours you choose. For instance, yellow goes really well with purple, and blue looks amazing with orange.