Exploring the Colour Wheel Concept in Interior Design

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"Colour is a power which directly influences the soul. "

-Wassily Kandinsky

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The colour wheel is a fundamental tool in interior design, helping designers to create harmonious and visually appealing spaces. It is circular diagram that shows the relationships between different colours, including primary, secondary and tertiary colours. It is used in design to decide colour schemes based in their relationships to one another.

1. Primary colours are the three basic colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors: red, yellow, and blue.

2. Secondary colours are created by mixing two primary colors together: orange (red and yellow), green (yellow and blue), and purple (red and blue).

3. Tertiary colours are created by mixing a primary color with a secondary color: red-orange, red-purple, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, and blue-purple.

The colour wheel is not only a tool for understanding colour theory but also for creating colour harmonies and combinations that are visually pleasing. Some common colour harmonies include:

• Complementary Colours: These are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green or blue and orange. They create high-contrast, vibrant pairings.

• Analogous Colours: Analogous colors are located next to each other on the color wheel, like blue, blue-green, and green. They create harmonious and calming color schemes.

• Triadic Colours: Triadic color schemes involve three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel. For instance, red, blue, and yellow form a triadic relationship. These schemes offer a balanced contrast.

• Tetradic Colours: These are four colours that form a rectangle on the colour wheel. For instance: red, yellow, blue and green. This combination is used to create a complex and sophisticated look.

• Split-Complementary Colours: In this scheme, a base color is paired with the two colors adjacent to its complementary color. For example, if the base color is blue, the split-complementary scheme might include yellow-orange and red-orange.

When using the colour wheel in interior design, it is important to consider the overall mood and atmosphere you want to create. For example, warm colours such as red, orange and yellow can create a sense of energy and excitement. Cool colors, such as blue, green and purple can create a sense of calm and relaxation.

Here are some tips for using the colour wheel in interior design:

• Start by choosing a primary or secondary color as your base color.

• Use analogous colors to create a sense of unity and cohesion.

• Use complementary colors to create a striking and dynamic look.

• Use split complementary colors for a more subtle and balanced approach to using complementary colors.

• Use triadic colors to create a lively and energetic look.

• Use tetradic colors to create a complex and sophisticated look.

• Consider the overall mood and atmosphere you want to create when choosing colors.

• Use color to create focal points in a space.

Each colour carries unique psychological associations, triggering specific feelings and reaction. So don't be afraid to experiment with different color combinations to find what works best for you and your space. The color wheel is a great tool to help you create a harmonious and visually appealing interior design.

Author: Trushna Agale (Interior Designer)