Choosing the right interior paint color combination can be an agonizing decision. Not only is painting a room a time-consuming project, but it’s also expensive. A basic understanding of the color wheel and color theory can help you understand why some colors look better together than others, enabling you to make wise color choices for your walls and, consequently, the rest of the room.
The color wheel begins with the primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. These primary colors are combined to create all other colors. The secondary colors—orange, green, and purple—are made by mixing two primary colors. Tertiary colors are formed by combining a secondary color with a primary color. Many successful color combinations are made up of colors that have a relationship to one another on the color wheel.
Complementary Color Pairs
Colors found opposite one another on the color wheel are called complementary colors. These complementary color pairs are high-contrast. Often described as “opposites”—much like black and white—pairs such as red and green, purple and gold, and orange and blue are all complementary. When placed together in a room, these colors create dramatic, sophisticated color schemes. Typically, one color is chosen to be the dominant color, and various shades of this color are applied to the walls and around the room. The accent color (the non-dominant color) is then used sparingly.
Since complementary color pairs tend to be very bright and bold, earthier versions of these colors are often used in interior design. For instance, an orange and blue color scheme might feature mostly gray-blues with copper accents. The room’s walls could be painted in shades of gray-blue, or the blue could be complemented by a single horizontal copper stripe near the ceiling.
Analogous Color Schemes Colors that sit side by side on the color wheel are known as analogous colors. Examples include red and orange, green and blue, and yellow and green. Analogous colors tend to be relatively low-contrast and have a unifying effect in interior design. These color pairs are often combined with a neutral tone, such as white, cream, or gray, to break up the colors and prevent them from becoming overwhelming.
When using analogous colors in interior design, brighter, more saturated shades are often chosen to prevent the color scheme from feeling uninspired or dull. For example, a kitchen could be painted in shades of tomato red and tangerine orange, with gleaming white counters, cabinets, and floors to break up the bold color palette.
Natural Color Combinations Colors found together in nature are often perceived as having a natural harmony that makes them pleasing to the eye. These color combinations usually have a relationship that can be traced on the color wheel. For example, the colors of a Caribbean beach—light yellow sand and turquoise-blue water—are near complements. Nature offers an endless array of stunning color schemes, also seen in fruits and vegetables.
A classic example in interior design is the eggplant color scheme. Deep, rich purple, light grassy green, and creamy khaki are frequently used with beautiful results in modern homes. In smaller rooms, khaki walls with accents of light purple and green work well, while larger rooms might benefit from darker hues dominating the space.
Painting Walls with Two or More Colors
While many people opt for a single color to paint their walls, painting a room with two or three colors has become increasingly popular. There are several ways to do this. One method is to designate one wall as an “accent” wall. An accent wall is painted a different color from the other three walls in the room. Accent walls can either be dramatically different in color or only subtly so. A high-contrast accent wall adds drama to a room and serves as a focal point. A low-contrast accent wall, on the other hand, may go unnoticed but contributes to a dynamic visual flow and reinforces the color scheme.
In rooms with unique wall structures, such as built-in shelving, the majority of the room may be painted a single color, while the shelving is painted in other colors from the scheme.
Patterns, like stripes, are a more obvious way to display multiple colors on a wall, though this bold approach is still relatively uncommon and might not suit everyone. However, painting a single horizontal band of color around the room can establish your color scheme without the high-impact effect of full striped patterns.
If you’re struggling to find the right interior paint color combination, many stores that sell paint offer catalogs and books featuring photographs of attractive color schemes. Choosing a theme can also help, as many themes come with built-in color schemes (for example, a red, white, and blue combination for an Americana-themed room). Keep in mind that different color combinations are suitable for different rooms. Darker color schemes should be reserved for larger rooms, while lighter, calmer colors are best for smaller spaces. Formal rooms, like living and dining rooms, often benefit from color combinations involving neutral and earthy tones. Brighter, bolder schemes are more fitting for bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. This way, the colors help reinforce the room’s function and influence the interactions of those who occupy it.
