How to Choose a Color Scheme That Won’t Go Out of Date in 2 Years
Once you’ve decided to paint the interior of your home or even just a room, the next decision is much more difficult: choose a color scheme. Maybe you really like canary yellow, but are afraid to make such a commitment. Or maybe you mentioned that you decided to paint and everyone keeps telling you that you have options: white, cream, gray or gray, but you don’t like the idea of living in such a gaudy space.
The point is, choosing a color scheme is not always easy. Fortunately, there are several ways to make the task less difficult. Shelby Deering breaks them down in an article for Hunker. Here’s what you need to know.
Types of color solutions
As a quick refresher on color theory, here are six types of color schemes courtesy of Deering :
- Monochromatic : You may already be familiar with this term, as it is an approach that has been popular in recent years; a monochromatic color scheme is when variations of the same color are displayed in a room.
- Advanced : This color scheme includes hues that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as purple and orange, red and green.
- Likewise , these colors are next to each other on the color wheel, such as yellow and orange.
- Triadic : This color scheme consists of three shades that are equally spaced from each other on the color wheel, forming a triangle shape – yellow, red, and blue are one example.
- Split complementarity : A split complement scheme mixes one color with its complementary color, and then two colors on either side of it – for example, yellow and blue-violet are combined with red-violet.
- Noteworthy : This double-complementary color scheme consists of two complementary pairs, resulting in a rectangular shape on the color wheel – meaning green and blue are paired with orange and red.
How to choose a color scheme
How do you narrow down your color scheme with so many options? Here are a few things to consider:
Choose a place to start
This can be done in two ways: first, choose the color of the wall, and then choose furniture and decor depending on the color, or vice versa. “You can use the colors from the pattern as you establish your scheme,” Deering writes. “For example, a rug or piece of art can inspire a palette for an entire space.”
Stop at three colors
Limit your color scheme to three colors so it doesn’t look overwhelming.
Choose a color scheme based on your decor style
If you know you are going to use a specific style of decor – Art Deco, Rustic, Mid-century Modern, etc. – choose colors that suit that style. “For example, if you love a country home, perhaps a more neutral palette would be a better addition,” Deering writes. “Or, if you’re a bohemian enthusiast, choose warm, muted tones.”