This is a collaborative post: Everyone wants to live in favourable conditions that give the motivation to work and create. Of course, interior design plays a great role when we talk about the house atmosphere. Still, many people are afraid of experiments. Thus, they choose simple colour combinations, uncomplicated shades, and ordinary decorations.
If you are a student of design specialty or a beginner in the universe of design, it might be difficult for you to implement your ideas in practice. Students tend to use 24/7 homework help services to economize their time and energy. Indeed, it is better to entrust the task to professionals and be sure the work is done ideally.
Yet, when it comes to starting a career path in design, many entry-level specialists face difficulties. How to combine paints properly? What are the schemes that I have to follow? How to make correct calculations?
In this article, you will have the chance to get acquainted with the basic schemes used in interior design. So, whether you are a design rookie or a student of such specialty, do not neglect reading the text to revise the essentials.
The Colour Wheel
Of course, no practice is possible without theory. Have you ever heard about the colour wheel? That is an indispensable instrument for those working in the design industry.
The model of the colour wheel was developed by the Swiss artist Johannes Itten. It serves as an excellent cheat sheet when it comes to the selection of a harmonious shade combination. The wheel usually consists of 12 parts. You don’t need to learn them by heart because you can always find a reference online.
If you are eager to become a design expert, you will not do without understanding the colour categories. These are the following:
- Primary (yellow, red, and blue) – the colours which can not be generated by mixing other ones. They are unique by their nature.
- Secondary (green, orange, and purple) – the shades made as a result of the combination of the above-mentioned ones. That’s it. Nothing extraordinary.
- Tertiary (in such a case the list will be inexhaustive) – these shades can be made in the process of mixing the primary colours with the secondary ones.
Neutral colours (white, black, grey, brown, ivory, beige) have their own separate category.
Methods of Building Combinations
Upon getting acquainted with a wheel, one can competently combine paints for further design creation. There are several schemes that are considered canonical in interior design. The next passages will be devoted to their explanation.
- Analogous Triad
This scheme uses three hues that follow one another in the wheel. This option is the easiest and “safest”. Use shades of these colours and you will get a calm and beautiful interior. Indeed, this model will never provide you with sharp, contrasting solutions. Instead, they complement each other and create a soft transition.
To be more specific, let us demonstrate some possible variations. You may choose yellow, orange, and red. Or the combination of red, purple, and violet. Proportion plays a great part as well – the style may vary depending on the domination of one tone and the accent of another.
- Complementary Combination
This scheme is perfect for people in love with contrasts. Complementary, or contrasting, are the paints located on the opposite sides of the wheel. Their combination creates a lively and energetic tone.
One of the hues will be the main, while the contrasting one will emphasize the interior details. If you are afraid that the design will be too bright with this model, there is a way out of the problem. Dilute the scheme with neutral shades to a comfortable level for you personally.
- Split Complementary or Contrast Combination
This model is closely related to the previously mentioned scheme. The point of this one is that it will be more difficult to use for those having no experience in colour combination. Why? It does not deal with the opposite hue but rather with those located on either side of it. Thus, the contrast is maintained but the choice of colours may turn out to be tricky.
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/R-w5Q-4Mqm0
- Classical Triad Scheme
This model uses the combination of three shades lying at equal distances from each other. It also provides high contrast while maintaining harmony. Still, this one is considered a bit more difficult than the previous ones.
Here one shade is usually taken as a basis, and two others are used to create accents. Again, if you are afraid that it will come out too striking, dilute it with neutral colours.
- Tetradic or Rectangle Model
As you could have already guessed, this scheme deals with four colours. Using this model, you will have to use two pairs of contrasting shades. It is important not to overdo it, otherwise, the interior may turn out to be too bright. It would be wise to choose one main shade and three supporting ones.
Moreover, pay attention to the colour temperature. Make sure you take two cool hues and two warm ones. This way, the contrast will be more visible.
- Square Model
The square scheme also involves four different hues. The main difference is that the colours are equidistant from each other on the wheel. The point is, every combination of colours will involve a primary, a secondary, and two tertiary hues. Here you are free to experiment with proportions, and intensities to make the interior look extraordinary.
- Monochrome Scheme
This is the easiest model, which was deliberately placed at the end of the list to provide you with a simple alternative. Just use the shades of the same colour, but of different depth and saturation. Let’s imagine you are a fan of everything blue. Thus, you may use light blue, turquoise, and ultramarine shades for your interior design.
Final Words
The choice of colour is perhaps one of the most difficult parts of a flat or house repair. Of course, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with colour schemes and use them while refurbishing. Still, remember that a combination must fit your personal preferences and not necessarily the design industry trends.