The Color Wheel
Color can be a very logical thing if you know the rules. Here is an example of a traditional color wheel. This is a tool used to teach color as well as visualize color combinations.
In my work I come across all sorts of color challenges. More often than not I rely on the color wheel to help me make color choices. One of my favorite duos is the “complimentary Color Combination”. Complimentary colors are two colors that live across from each other on the color wheel. One color supports the other when used in a color scheme. Here is an example of one that I used in a kitchen for a local construction firm in Netanya.
Green and orange always work (same relationship as green and red). You can combine different values of this combination for various effects IE. lighter or darker shades.
This orange and Blue kitchen by Lou Ann Bauer is a bit kitch, but it does work if you are looking to make a festive decorating statment.
I had a hard time finding a visual for violet and yellow, but this violet and orange combination (close neighbors on the color wheel) looks quite exciting for a hallway.
Easy complimentary color combinations to follow:
* Violet & Yellow
* Blue & Orange
* Red & Green
Here’s a good yellow & blue complimentary combination. I take a lot of inspiration from the outdoors, you can use all sorts of things to inspire.
Blue and yellow are one of my favorite color combinations. Love it.
-s