Peeking into the Secrets of Color: Teaching You How to Play with Color in Interior Design (Part 2)
In the previous episode, we talked a lot about the feelings colors evoke and basic knowledge. Do you feel like you haven’t had enough? Don’t worry, because we aren’t finished yet—we haven’t taught you how to actually use them. Color coordination is a major field of study in interior design; if colors are mismatched, proportions are off, or the palette is chaotic, it can be dizzying and uncomfortable. This episode will cover how colors are applied in interior design and the principles of coordination, continuing to teach you how to master color!
Determining Colors Based on Style
Renovation style and color must be coordinated. Different styles require different color pairings. For example, Muji style is primarily based on brown and white; you wouldn’t see bright red or purple walls. Meanwhile, the main palette for Industrial style consists of black, white, and grey. If you long for a vibrant, colorful home, this style might not be for you. Choose your home colors and furniture pieces based on the specific style to achieve a sense of harmony in the indoor environment.
Interior Design Palettes Should Not Exceed Three Colors
Generally speaking, an interior design color scheme should not exceed three colors. White and black are not included in this count, while gold and silver can be used as accent pairings. Usually, you first select one primary tone, then use analogous or neutral colors for coordination and accents. If you love a colorful home, be careful not to throw colors randomly into your renovation. Unless you have an experienced interior designer overseeing the process—someone familiar with color combinations who can ensure the space and style remain harmonious—it is difficult to manage more than three colors.
Additionally, if you want the home’s atmosphere to be more lively, you don’t necessarily have to paint the walls different colors. Paint isn’t the only way to add color; using small home decors like pillows and towels is also a great way to fill your living space with vitality!
Determining Colors According to Space Function
Home colors don’t necessarily have to be uniform throughout; you can pick colors for separate rooms to help partition the space. For example, bedrooms are suitable for light blue or white wall colors, giving off a calming and stress-relieving feel. Since the bedroom is a space for us to rest and sleep, using energetic or stimulating colors like orange or red might keep you too awake to fall asleep.
If the living room space isn’t large, it’s recommended to use white or low-saturation colors, as lighter colors enhance the sense of space and improve natural lighting, making the home brighter. Conversely, deep colors closer to black will make a space feel narrower. Usually, these colors are only used locally on feature walls or as accents, rather than on every wall. This is both to prevent the space from feeling cramped and because dark colors have low light reflectance, requiring very sufficient lighting fixtures.
A Tip for the Indecisive: Pick Colors Based on Furniture
Although we’ve discussed many color-matching techniques, when it comes to renovating, people often choose furniture and decorations quickly but feel lost when staring at a color palette with so many options. Which wall color should you pick? Here is a tip: look at the color of your largest piece of furniture among your chosen items. For example, if you’ve picked a blue sofa, the walls can be chosen in a matching blue; if you have mostly wooden furniture, the walls can be white or earth tones to complement them. If people of different age groups live together, choosing low-saturation colors can help integrate the different personalities and traits of the household.
