Project To know what colors work well together, you must first understand what color is and how it works. Start by checking out our Color 101 primer to learn the basics of color, color terminology and how the color wheel works, as well as the psychology of color.
The color of your rooms’ walls and ceiling can drastically change its atmosphere. Dark colors can make spaces feel smaller or cozy, while light colors can make rooms feel larger and more open. In addition, the light in the room can radically affect how paint color appears. See the paint project “How Light Affects Paint Color” for more information.
When choosing colors, keep in mind three features of color: hue, intensity and value. A color’s hue is the name we use to identify it — such as “red.” A color’s intensity describes how saturated it is — how “blue” it is, for example. A color’s value is a measure of its lightness or darkness.
Your palette should consist of three colors: a light, medium and dark color. These three colors will form the foundation of your project. Lighter colors should be used as a background. Floor color should be a bit darker than the walls and ceiling to help ground the room.
If you need more hands-on expertise, visit your local True Value hardware store and speak to a Hardwarian.
