The color wheel is an invaluable tool that teaches us how hues relate to each other and how they can be combined to create harmonious, cohesive color schemes. Featuring an illustrative organization of colors around a circle, it has become a favorite of designers, artists and do-it-yourselfers looking to revitalize their living spaces. The wheel makes color relationships easy to see by dividing the spectrum into 12 basic hues: three primary colors, three secondaries, and six tertiaries.

• Primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. These colors are pure, meaning you can’t create them from other colors. At the same time, they are the three basic colors from which all other colors are created.
• Secondary colors are orange, green, and violet. They line up between the primaries on the color wheel because they are formed when equal parts of two primary colors are combined.
• Tertiary colors are formed by mixing a primary color with a secondary color next to it on the color wheel. With each blending — primary with primary, then primary with secondary — the resulting hues become less dramatic.

Colors are considered warm or cool because of association. In our minds we compare reds, oranges, and yellows with the warmth of the sun and fire. Blues, greens, and violets are cool because of their association with water, sky, and foliage. As you create a color palette, your scheme should never be all warm colors or all cool colors. Let one dominate and set the overall tone of the room, but be sure to include elements that offer contrast.

The color wheel also helps you mix colors to get palettes with varying degrees of contrast. As a result, four common color schemes are created:

 

Monochromatic Scheme:

These tone-on-tone combinations use several shades (adding black) and tints (adding white) of a single hue for a subtle palette. Think pale blue, sky blue, and navy.

 

 

Analogous Scheme:

For a bit more contrast, an analogous palette includes colors found side by side on the wheel, such as orange, yellow, and green, for a colorful but relaxing feel.

Complementary Scheme:

This is the most dynamic — yet simple — color scheme. Using two hues opposite each other on the color wheel, such as blue and orange, is guaranteed to add energy to any room. They will ALWAYS complement each other so no worries.

Contrasting Color Scheme:

It’s made up of any three colors that form a triangle on the color wheel. A triad creates an adventurous palette by using three hues evenly spaced on the wheel, such as blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange, for vivid contrast with balanced colors.

 

Finally, since color also has the ability to influence our mood and evoke emotions, it’s important to understand how to use the color wheel for this purpose as well when choosing a scheme for your room decor. Blues are perceived as calming and quiet for instance, while yellows are uplifting and energetic. Bold reds are passionate and daring, but pastel pink is considered soft and sweet. Oranges invoke a happy mood, and browns are earthy and grounding.

 

If you are not sure about what color to use in your office or living space, ask yourself just two questions:

Question 1:

How do I want this space to make me feel?

(ie… vibrant, calm, etc.)

 

Question 2:

How vibrant do I want it to look

(ie… subtle, strong, etc.)

 

 

Then have fun creatively expressing yourself with COLOR and J&O Fabrics!