Decorating Tips

Color terminology

In order to be able to create eye-catching color patterns some understanding of relationship between colors may be helpful.

Colors as red, yellow and blue are called primary colors since they cannot be obtained by mixing other colors. Orange, green and purple are called secondary colors. There are also six intermediate colors which are produced by mixing together primary and secondary colors.

Red, green and blues are usually referred to simply as colors. However, to a color expert these are referred to as hues. Therefore light green, medium green and dark green are all one and the same hue which is green. Because their intensity, hues are hardly ever used in their pure form. They more often appear as different forms of these pure colors (hues) modified by adding to them either white, black or grey.

By adding white to a hue a tint of that color is created. Tint is always lighter than the pure hue. A different shade of a color can be created by adding black to that hue. Shade is darker than the pure hue. As a result of adding grey to a hue, that is both white and black, a tone of that color is produced.

Psychology of Color

Color has a very strong impact on our moods and bodies. It can be manipulated to make us feel warm or cold , calm or nervous, or even inspire feelings of passion.

Reds, oranges and yellows are referred to as “warm” colors since they elicit images associated with heat, like fire or the sun. As a result they make us feel warm in a psychological sense. Therefore these are good choices for rooms on the north side of homes and buildings. Studies have shown that red can raise blood pressure and stimulate the appetite which explains why it is such an excellent choice for a dining room in the home. Yellow is another warm color. It denotes joy and happiness. It also demands attention like no other color. It is a useful color in dark hallways and foyers. However too bright and strong yellow may be the cause of anxiety in some people. Orange, in turn, is a combination of red and yellow, so it shares some common characteristics of the two. Orange is sociable and welcoming. Tints and shades of orange work well in entry ways, living rooms and family rooms.

Impact of Colors

Colors create a character of a room. That is why proper attention should be paid to choosing the right combination of colors while creating that unique design. Yellows warm up a room, reds stimulate, bronze and beiges introduce warmth and comfort, Greens bring out freshness and bracing atmosphere. Blues, in turn, soothe.

Harmony – creating a paint scheme.

Harmonious color combination enables to create a unique integrity of a room. Walls, floor, furniture and window treatments combine into a unity. Such color combination is often used in rooms where we want to relax, for example in a family, living room or in a bedroom. Too harmonic color combination may, however, seem to create a feeling of monotony.

Using contrasting colors.

In some cases using contrasting colors might help us expose certain elements such as pieces of furniture or a wall that would be the focal point in the room. Bright and vivid may be used in kids rooms, kitchens or bathrooms. Too intense and harsh colors, however, can easily cause the feeling of discomfort and uneasiness.

Tone of a color.

Intensity of a color is determined by its hue. Various tones of a color can be obtained by adding either white or black to a hue. It may be a good idea to use different hues of the same color in one room. Wall color should be a shade lighter or darker than such things as window treatments, furniture etc.

Color tricks

* in small rooms use light colors- whites, blues and grays.
* dark and intense colors can make a room look smaller than it really is.
* dark ceiling with light walls make a room look wider than it is.
* a hallway can be made look shorter by painting the two smaller walls a shade darker color.
* vertical stripes make walls look taller.

Source: http://www.obcasy.pl (Translation by Arek Paszko)