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What is a color scheme?
A
color scheme is a planned,
pleasing combination of colors
for a room or a house. A
pleasing color scheme is limited
in the number of colors used,
but it has enough colors to give
interest.
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Picking
out a Color Scheme
Although there are volumes
written on the subject of color
theory. Your choices when it
comes to picking out a color
scheme for a room in your house
may seem rather daunting. The
following is one simple method
for creating a room with that
"pulled together" look.
Click Here for a Visual Look
Step 1) Pick a Pattern
Almost every room has a pattern
in it somewhere. It might
be in a picture, a rug, the
bedspread or on an upholstered
piece of furniture. It is much
easier to start with the
pattern, than to try to find a
pattern to fit into a given
color scheme later on. From the
colors in your pattern, we will
create the palette for the room.
Step 2) Choose Three Colors
From within your pattern select
three colors; a light color, a
medium tone and a darker color.
These three colors will form the
foundation of your color scheme.
Step 3) Use Your Light Color As
The Background
Color your walls and floor with
a soft version of your light
color. You may choose to "knock
it down" with a touch of white
or gray if it seems too vivid
for use as a background color.
It is pleasing to the eye to
have your floor color a bit
darker than your walls and
ceiling. This helps to "ground"
the room.
Step 4) Put Your Medium Tone On
The Largest Pieces
Window coverings and large
furniture pieces will take the
mid-tone color - especially if
it has a tinge of the wall/floor
color mixed into it.
Step 5) Add The Darker Color As
An Accent
Now sprinkle in the darker color
on the accessories and small
furniture pieces. Use these for
punch and distribute them evenly
throughout the room.
By rotating the three colors you
can place a greater emphasis on
the background or furniture.
Your eye typically will
gravitate towards the darker,
brighter colors.
Color Schemes
The feeling of a room can be
created by using different
combinations or values of color.
Monochromatic
For a calm, quiet room, select a
neutral color and apply
different shades or values of
that color to the various
elements of the room. This is a
popular approach as it allows
you to vary the look of the room
by changing the accents and
accessories. Add interest to the
room with the use of a variety
of textures on the floor, walls
and furniture.
Related Colors
For a relaxing effect, select a
color scheme composed of related
colors: greens and blues or rose
and peach are two examples of
this approach. Keep the values
(strength) similar for a
pleasing look. Use a color wheel
to help you select colors that
are similar (adjacent).
Strong Contrast
A stimulating, lively
environment is created by using
colors that are strongly in
contrast with one another. You
can select similar colors (as
above) in their dark, vivid
hues, or select complementary
colors-those opposite one
another on the color wheel.
Either way, the effect you
achieve is attention-getting.
Once you have decided on a color
scheme, bring your samples home.
Look at them at different times
of the day, and in both natural
and incandescent light. As you
make decisions on the placement
of colors in the room, keep in
mind that darker colors will
tend to fade over time more than
lighter ones. Be sure to take
into consideration any existing
pieces that will remain in the
room as well as the various wood
finishes present.
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