Have you ever walked into a room and felt your mood lift? Colours can have a huge impact on your mood, so incorporating the right ones into your home is important for a sense of harmony and personal wellbeing. The perfect colour combination will give you an environment that’s warm and inviting — but getting the mix right isn’t always easy.
Interior designers know the importance of choosing a balanced colour palette for paint, furniture and accessories, but how do you follow their lead and find colours that match, without sacrificing your personal style?
Keep reading and we’ll let you in on a few design secrets so you can learn how to achieve a harmonious colour scheme in your home.
Understanding the colour wheel
The first step on your journey into colour harmony is the colour wheel. This is simply a way of mapping out colours and understanding how they relate to each other.
With 12 hues, the colour wheel takes the guesswork out of colour selection by acting as a guide when it comes to selecting colour palettes. It’s split into three colour types:
- Primary colours: red, yellow and blue
- Secondary colours: mix two primary colours to get green, orange or purple
- Tertiary colours: combine a primary and secondary colour
Using these colour groupings in different ways can help achieve totally different looks throughout your space.
If you have a preference for either warm or cool tones, an ‘analogous’ colour scheme may be the answer. This simply means using three shades that sit next to each other on the wheel — blues, purples and greens on the cool end, or reds, oranges and pinks on the warm end.
If you’re after a bolder look, complementary colours can create a sense of fun and visual appeal. Choose two colours that sit opposite on the colour wheel, such as blue and orange or purple and yellow.
Consider different tones
Once you’ve chosen a colour scheme that works for you, it’s time to mix up the space with different tones. Tones are simply colours with grey added, resulting in a less intense shade. You can achieve a good tonal mix with subtle, natural finishes like wood, stone and concrete. Using these earthy tones will create a big impact, and complement a range of design themes.
The ideal way to add muted tones to your colour scheme is with your flooring. Premium wood-look vinyl flooring is a reflection of nature, with unique patterns and textures. If you’re using a cool colour scheme, opt for a light and bright ash. Or, if you prefer things warmer, a rich, dark tone like spotted gum may be the answer.
Simplify with monochromatic colours
Every colour has variations, so even if you opt for white there’s still so much to choose from when it comes to tone, tint, and shade. This is where a monochromatic colour scheme comes in.
A monochromatic colour scheme focuses on a single hue such as blue or green, using different tones, tints, and shades to add depth. Remember the colour wheel? Tint and shade are simply lighter and darker variations of the base hues. With this colour scheme you can use these colour gradients to create a sophisticated and cohesive look around each room.
Got a dark blue sofa? Add a few pastel blue throw cushions, a pale blue rug, and some sheer white curtains. You can also add extra interest by experimenting with prints and textures, so let your imagination run wild.
Because the monochromatic colours all come from the same place, this colour scheme is an easy way to achieve harmony with minimum effort.
Experimenting with bold contrasts
Want to make a statement? Bold colours can be a great way to add some vibrancy and interest into your home.
Contrasting, or complementary colours, sit opposite each other on the colour wheel — blue and orange, yellow and purple, and green and red for example. This means they’re the perfect pairings for bold looks.
The key is to choose a dominant colour and an accent colour. You can do this in a number of ways, like adding an orange cushion to a deep blue sofa, or pairing your green bathroom tiles with red towels. However, keep in mind that when it comes to contrast, a little goes a long way. A space can quickly be overwhelmed with too many strong colours so add neutrals and different textures to maintain harmony.
Drawing inspiration from nature
Inspiration starts outdoors with nature’s unique colour palette, and with a few natural touches your space can feel tranquil and inviting.
For an earthy, calm interior, look at neutral shades such as browns, greens and beige. If you’re after a more coastal look, choose sand and pale blue to mimic the beach, or warm colours that bring to mind a beautiful sunset.
Nature-inspired colours can be added to every corner of your space. From feature walls to artwork to bench tops, create a flow throughout your home. You can bring the real thing inside too, with indoor plants in oversized pots to complete the look.
Experiment with your colours
Colours can change the look and feel of your home, and understanding how they work together will allow you to create a harmonious environment throughout your home.
Be bold, go natural, or embrace monochrome chic to get the unique look you’re after. When you’re intentional with your colour choices, your home will always look fantastic.