Colour Basics

In this topic we look at decorating with colour and the role colour plays in interior design.

We look more at the colour wheel later, for now lets look at the basics.

First let’s quickly explain exactly what colour is. The dictionary defines colour as: “the perceptual characteristic of light. Specifically, colour is light, and light is composed of many colours – colours which we see are the colours of the visual spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. Objects absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others back to the viewer. We perceive these wavelengths as colour”.

This gives a pretty good explanation of why we see colour (or anything else in fact) so let’s look at those individual colours and see how we can use them in our decorating projects.

Primary Colours?

Firstly we’ll look at primary colours. Primary colours are three main colours, red, yellow and blue. These are the base colours and cannot be created by mixing any combination of other colours together, the can however be used to create all the colours we see.

Primary colours are;

Secondary Colours

When primary colours are mixed together they become secondary colours.

Secondary colours are;

Tertiary Colours

Lastly we have tertiary colours. When one primary colour and one secondary colour are mixed together we get a tertiary colour.

Examples of tertiary colours are;

The effects of colour

Different colours have different effects on our mind and moods. Below we briefly examine further techniques for using colour, and the role colour plays in decorating your children’s bedrooms.

The general opinion is that there are four basic colours, red, blue, green and yellow. Every other colour is merely a combination, or shade of the four basic colours. If you look at the colour wheel you'll notice although it is split into 12 sections you can see the four main colours blending into each other around the wheel.

Each of the four main colours effects our perception in different ways, and by doing so also affect our mood. Colour is known to have very powerful effects on our brain. Interior designers use colour to create moods and feelings.

Turning to nature for an example of the importance of colour, red is seen as danger and many poisonous animals are coloured red as a warning. As colour has such a powerful affect it is important to outline the main effects the main four colours have.

Warm colours are also called “advancing” colours. Warm colours appear to be closer than they really are. Examples of warm colours are reds, oranges, yellows and all shades in-between.

Cool colours are also called “retreating” colours are cool colours which tend to create a sense of space and airiness. Examples of cool colours include greens, blues and violets.

Dominant colours are those in a colour scheme used more than any other colour. Feature walls are often painted in dominant colours and give a dramatic sense of dominance and offer a focal point to the room.

Specific colours

Blue

Blue is seen as cold, associated with the sky and water it calms, relaxes and cerates harmony. As blue is a cold colour it is also a “retreating” colour, great for small bedrooms.

Red

Red is seen as hot, associated with danger and anger it can stimulate and create energy. As red is a warm colour it is an “advancing” colour, bringing walls closer and making large rooms appear smaller. Red is great for playrooms but not so good for sleeping areas.

Green

Green can also be a cold colour, associated with trees, grass and nature. Green is thought to help concentration and as such is a great colour around area of study.

Yellow

Yellow can be a warm colour, associated with the sun, freshness and happiness. Yellow brightens the room, and your mood. Yellow can be an “advancing” colour bringing objects closer, great to use in areas of entertainment.