Primary Colours
Here are some basic principles about colours:
- Primary colours are blue, red and yellow. They are the basis for every colour on the spectrum.
- Secondary colours are created by mixing two primary colours. These colours are orange, green, and violet.
- Tertiary colours are created by combining all primary colours or one primary colour with one secondary colour. They are orange-red, orange-yellow, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet.
- Neutral colours are hues and are created when two complementary colours are mixed. They are beige, taupe, and grey.
These colours are represented on a colour wheel. A colour wheel is a useful decorating tool which portrays the relationship between colours and explain why certain colours work better together. A Colour wheel, such as this one, is available at craft stores.
Click on the picture to enlarge.
The Colour Wheel
The colour wheel shows complementary colours, or contrasting colours, that lie opposite each other on the colour wheel. Example: green complements red.
The following are your options of the use of colour in any room:
- Monotones is the use of one colour in a room.
- Analogues is the use of a wider variety of colours, some contrasting and some not.
- Monochromatic is the use of a single colour and its variation in terms of its tints and shades.
The above room is inviting. A r0om with warm colours such as shades of yellow, red, orange, beige, and cream, seems to stand out to the eye and create feelings of energy. These vivid colours remind us of the colours we see at sunset, they are stimulating, exciting, and fiery. Such rooms are perfect social spaces. If your family likes to gather for regular meals, or you like to entertain these are the colours you should consider for your eating area. Also, warm colours can enclose a space and make a room seem smaller.
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