Color Schemes There are certain groups of colors

that work together very well…they might be referred to as Color Schemes.

Make sure when using color schemes to select colors that you like.

There are some basic color schemes that have worked well for many years…

Monochromatic A color scheme using one

color, and tints, tones and shades of that color.

R e d -v io le t

V io le t

B lue -v io le tB lue

B lue -g r e en

G re e n

Ye llo w -g ree n

Ye llo w

Ye llo w -o ra n g e O ra ng e

R e d-o r an g e

R e d

Analogous A color scheme using colors

next to each other on the color wheel.

R e d -v io le t

V io le t

B lu e - v io le tB lu e

B lu e - g ree n

G r e e n

Y e l lo w -g re e n

Y e l lo w

Y e l lo w -o ra n g e O r a n g e

R e d -o ra n g e

R e d

Note that even though these are very bright hues of 5 colors next to each other on the color wheel, that they are analogous, even though they are bright.

Complementary A color scheme using colors

opposite each other on the color wheel.

R e d -v io le t

V io le t

B lu e -v io le tB lu e

B lu e -g re e n

G re e n

Y e l low -g re e n

Y e l low

Y e l low -o ra n g e O ra n g e

R e d -o ra n g e

R e d

Note again that even though the colors are dulled red and green, they are still complementary.

Double Complementary A Color scheme using two sets

of complementary colors.

R ed -v io le t

V io le t

B lue -vio le tB lu e

B lue -g re en

G reen

Y e llow- gr ee n

Ye llow

Ye llow- or a nge O ra nge

R e d -o rang e

R ed

Split Complementary A color scheme using one

color, and the colors on either side of it’s complement.

R ed -v io le t

V io le t

B lue -v io le tB lue

B lue -g ree n

G re e n

Y e llo w -g ree n

Y e llo w

Y e llo w -o ran g e O ra n ge

R ed -o ran g e

R ed

Triad A color scheme using three

colors equal distance from each other on the color wheel.

R e d-v io le t

V io le t

B lu e-v io letB lu e

B lu e-g re en

G ree n

Y el low -g reen

Y el low

Y el low -o rang e O ran ge

R e d-o ra nge

R e d

Neutral A color scheme using whites,

blacks, grays and beiges.

R e d- v io let

V io le t

B lu e- v io letB lu e

B lu e- gre e n

G ree n

Y e llo w -gre e n

Y e llo w

Y e llo w -ora n g e O ran g e

R e d- ora n g e

R e d

Warm Colors Colors on the warm side of the

spectrum…red, yellow, orange.

R e d -vio le t

V io le t

B lue -vio le tB lu e

B lue -g re en

G re en

Ye llow- g re en

Ye llow

Ye llo w- o ra ng e O ra nge

R e d-o ra n ge

R ed

Cool Colors Colors on the cool side of the

spectrum…blue, violet, green.

R ed -v io le t

V iole t

B lue -v io le tB lue

B lue -gre e n

G re e n

Y e l low -gre en

Y el low

Y el low -ora ng e O ra n ge

R ed -ora n ge

R ed

Choosing Color Schemes… Select your favorite color Add to an established color scheme Select colors based on the feelings or mood you wish to

create. Evaluate parts of the room that cannot be changed, then

consider color choices that will complement existing furnishings.

Select colors that complement a particular work of art (quilt, favorite picture, etc.)

Select colors that complement a chosen fabric or wallpaper.