COLOUR

INTRODUCTION

• Color is an abstract phenomenon, it can be realized

and felt but it cannot be held.

• Color is the response of vision to different

wavelengths of visible light that forms a narrow band
the known spectrum of radiant energy.

• Mans response to color is most powerful because he

sees color more quickly than form.
 IMPORTANCE OF COLOR IN
DESIGN

• Sets emotional tone or ambience of that space

• Focusing or diverting attention

• Modulating the space to feel larger or smaller

• Breaking up and defining the space

• Unifying the space or knitting it together

ATTRIBUTES OF
COLOR
 HUE OR COLOR
• Hue- the name of the color such as yellow, green , blue,
red.
• The color of full intensity have been shown in the most
common color wheel made of 12 color gradations
12 Hue Chromatic Circle
 VALUE OR LIGHTNESS

• The second attribute of color is value, or the relative

lightness or darkness of a color. Lighter values are
achieved by adding white to a color and darker
values result from adding black.
 CHROMA OR SATURATION
• This is the third attribute of color, which signifies the
purity or intensity of a color determined by how much or
how little gray is added to the color. the value of colors
on a chroma scale do not change, only the intensity of
the color varies.
Green Chroma or Saturation
 TINT, SHADE AND TONE
• All of these colors of full intensity or chroma mixed with
white, black or some value of gray mixing with white
creates a tint (pastels), mixing black produces a shade
and combining some value of gray with another color
creates a tone of that color.
Full intensity Tint

Shade Tone
 INTERACTIVNESS OF COLOR
RELATIONSHIP
• Adjacent colors may have a very strong effect on one
another.
• It is important to predict and control their interaction.
• A very muted color looks absolutely neutral but if placed
against another yet muter color both appear to be
stronger.
 COLOR TEMPERATURE
• Colors are referred as warm or cool.
• Red orange and yellow are considered warm.
• Green blue and purple are described as cool.
• As colors become less pure, the terms warm and
cool become more useful as relative comparisons
rather than absolute descriptions.
COLOR MIXING

– Additive colors
– Subtractive colors
– Partitive color
 ADDITIVE COLORS
• By breaking down light into its component parts
called spectral colors, it is possible to combine and
mix the individual colors to form new ones.
• Process of mixing colored light.
• Eg. a red light when overlaps with on a green light it
produces yellow light.
• Primary colors are red, green, blue.
• When primary colors combine they form white light.
• For purposes of interiors, it is important to
understand the effect of artificial lighting on
perception of color
• Eg. Incandescent lights bring out warm colors of
interiors while fluorescent emphasizes cool colors.
 SUBTRACTIVE COLORS

• Subtractive color is a result of mixing pigments and

dyes.
• Primary subtractive colors are red blue and yellow.
• When all primary colors are mixed in equal no
resulting color is deep blackish brown.
 PARTITIVE COLORS
• When a consistent, fine pattern of two distinct colors
is viewed from a slight distance, the eye tends to mix
the colors optically to derive a third color. This
method is called partitive color.
• In architectural color, the greatest richness and
depth is achieved by this method ,like glazing.
• When granite is viewed closely many shades of gray
are visible if viewed from distance the specks of gray
blend to form a rich gray, unachievable by uniformly
colored surface.
 COLOR HARMONY
• The most fundamental theory of color harmony in
interior design is to make sure that colors in any
scheme share some common traits or attributes.
Colors have 3 attributes
­ Hue or Color
­ Value or Lightness
­ Chroma or Saturation
 SIMILAR HUE AND VALUE
• A way to achieve color harmony is to keep the hue
and value the same while varying the chroma. This
means that the color scheme employs variations of a
single color of single relative lightness or darkness
and that the intensity of the color is varied some
colors are full bodied while others are more grayed
down.
The furniture in this interior is a grayed
down version of the color on the ceiling.
Hue and value
 SIMILAR HUE AND CHROMA

• Another way to achieve color harmony is to keep the

hue and chroma the same while varying the value
• This type of scheme employs variations of same
color at same intensity with only relative lightness or
darkness of the color changing.
The colors are all in peach and beige family
with relative color values varied. Strong
values are in small amounts.
 SIMILAR VALUE AND
CHROMA
• Third way to achieve color harmony is to keep the
value and chroma the same while varying the hue.
• In this case the relative lightness or darkness would
remain the same as well as the saturation level of
color, and only the hue or actual color would vary. By
keeping the value and chroma constant and the
colors grayed, to create complex schemes which are
calm and harmonious.
The colors in the room are of the same value and
chroma only the hues are varied
 THE CHROMATIC CIRCLE AND
ITS USE
• The Chromatic Circle shows what the Primary Colors are
(i.e. Red, Blue & Yellow) and at the same time, what
happens when the various colors are mixed together.
• It is a basic arrangement to provide simple color
categories into which all pigment names can fall. It
Provides a tool which can be used in imagining the same
colors with a change of value (i.e. brightness) and
intensity in the 3-Dimensional manner.
• The Monochromatic Scheme -simple, yet attractive.
Many shades of a single color are used. Lighter colors
can not be effectively used because they can not
achieve a value deep enough for emphasis.
A MONOCHROMATIC SCHEME

Dramatic mono chrome blue green

kitchen provides an excellent
backdrop for display of
kitchenware
• The Analogous Scheme - Uses colors which adjoin
each other on the chromatic circle e.g. Yellow-Yellow
Green and Green, or Red Orange-Orange etc.
Colors are not used in pure form, but numerous
shades developed from the mixing of a few colors in
varying amounts are used. Generally one of the color
tends to predominate.
 AN ANALOGOUS
SCHEME

Bold rich colors create a total environment.

The whole space becomes one large furniture
piece
• Complementary Scheme -Two colors opposite to each
other in the chromatic circle (e.g. Blue-violet and yellow-
orange are used). Neither of these is used in pure form
A COMPLEMENTARY SCHEME

Rich, red-orange wood floors

balance well with bold, deep blue
wall accent.
A COMPLEMENTARY SCHEME
A COMPLEMENTARY SCHEME
• Split Complements -A split complement takes a
form of a ‘Y’ on the color wheel. This Scheme thus
consists of a color plus one color from each side of
the direct complement of the first color i.e. one hue
on one side of the color wheel and the two hues on
other side of its complements. Very vibrant and very
effective
A SPLIT COMPLEMENTARY
SCHEME

The yellow green walls and yellow orange ceiling

in combination of deep purple carpet
• Triads - Uses three colors located at the third points
of the chromatic circle i.e. it uses 3 equidistant colors
on the chromatic circle. This combination provides a
wider range of Hues, Tints & Shades.
 A TRAID COLOR SCHEME
The full intensity of primary colors brigs to mind
the tropical environment
A TRAID COLOR SCHEME

Abstract geometry combined

with strong primary colors.
The red even though in small
quantities at the end of
corridor draws the eye.
• Tetrads-A Tetrad takes the form of a ‘X’ on the
chromatic circle.
A TETRAD COLOR SCHEME
This color scheme combines red and green
complements with blue and wood tone orange
complements. The color of furnishings is
simple so that it does not interfere.
A TETRAD COLOR SCHEME

This kitchen has a neutral background

of white against which red wood tones
and green paint provide a
complementary contrast. The blue door
and orange wood tones are also
complementary.
 PSYCOLOGICAL
EFFECTS OF COLOR
• Various colors have strong emotional effect on people.
• Blue reduces excitability and helps one concentrate
• Green has cooling quality and acts as a sedative
• Yellow is cheery, simulating and attention drawing
• Red is exciting and simulates the brain
• Generally most people prefer either warm or cool
colors. Personal choice depends on emotional
connotations, conscious or unconscious, that these
colors have for individuals
• The sensitivity to color varies from a color blind person
to a person who is hypersensitive
• Most people prefer the sense of order
 BLUE
cool, sophisticated, heavenly, elegant classy and formal

• Like fair skies blues evoke peace and consistency.

• The blue house may appear to soar heavenward,
suggests the refreshing coolness of a lake.
• It has intellectual, aristocratic aura, also associated
with depression and indecency.
• It is a receding color and appears to push walls back,
giving an impression of space and coolness.
• If blue is a favorite accent color, it is just as good set
on equal terms with other colors, when it acts as an
excellent balancer
 RED
warm, bold, sumptuous, vibrant, festive, passionate

• Red is a primary color.

• Color of danger, sin, warmth, relaxation, courage,
excitement.
• The lighter hue called pink is generally connected
with softness and femininity.
• It is advancing color and so warm that people feel
warmer in a red room than people in blue room kept
at the same temperature.
• Red on white looks fresh and cheerful. Splashes of
red add liveliness to a room.
 YELLOW
bright, happy, sunny, warm, glowing, lively
• Associated with brightness, cheerfulness, warmth,
sparkle, also related to cowardice and sickliness.
• Like red and orange it is advancing, it brings surfaces
closer to the eye.
• Yellow and orange should not be used together in equal
quantities in a decorative scheme a they cancel each
other out.
• Yellow accents are instant fresheners, revivers.
• Pale pastels or darker shades equalize well with other
colors of the same tone.
 GREEN
restful, fresh, cool, soothing, natural, informal
• A natural and emotive color generally linked to nature.
• It is a secondary color mixture of blue and yellow.
• Equal amounts of blue or red in an interior will serve to cancel
out each other.
• It is a receding color and a cool one but deeper shades may
seem warmer.
• Green contrasts well with blue.
• Mixtures of greens is restful, contrasting colors add warmth
and liveliness.
• Green is a great equalizer being a predominant background
brings color to life.
 NEUTRALS
Calm restful natural comfortable elegant

• These gentle hues are restful and earthy, they are also the colors
of many living things.
• Neutrals can be instruments of true elegance and take on a life of
their own. They can either tone down brighter colors or bring them
into focus, and on the positive side their muted hues are the
perfect means of exposing form, contour and texture.
• Orange is always good with neutral browns and beiges and in its
more muted tones it can blend into a rich brown neutral.
• If you have a dark or a north facing bedroom, a neutral color
scheme would make it look warmer and more welcoming.
 BLACK ‘N’ WHITE
Calm restful natural comfortable elegant

• Black and White come at either end of the neutrals

range and are not really colors at all. Black is in fact
colorless from the absence or complete absorption of
all light, while white is a blend of all the colors of the
rainbow in a perfect balance. White when mixed with
black produces a whole series of Grays which link
these two implacable opposites.
• Black lends elegance and a touch of a exotic to a
scheme, white symbolizes innocence and freshness.
But can also be joyful, elegant and luxurious.
• White furniture gives a feeling of sunny days; white
marble evokes the images of ruined temples, while
white on white rooms seem the ultimate in luxury.
• The combination of black with soft grays and pastels
often works well and provides a useful counterpoint
to the gentleness of the other colors.
• Grays can often act as an anchor for a scheme
based on the mixture of equal tones because it tends
to soften and level other colors without destroying
their impact.
 THE APPLICATION OF
COLOR

In modern time color plays an important role in interiors and

exteriors. In interiors color is used in different ways like on the
following:
 WALL COVERINGS
• PAINTS
– Paint obtained in various finishes.
• Flat- used on most wall surfaces
• Semi gloss
• Eggshell enamel
– They all are available in different shades and colors.
Most colors vary from one another in hue, value, or
chroma. New shades can be prepared by mixing two
or more colors.
• WALL PAPER
– They are available in rolled printed and hand blocked design
and scenic patterns.
– Wallpapers vary in color and patterns from traditional to
modern.
– The pattern and color of a wall paper give a feeling of moment
that must be taken into account while furnishing.
– An entrance foyer may have an orange patterns to delight the
visitors, while a bedroom should have soft and quiet paper.
Modern usage calls for strong, clear color in abstract patterns.
• WOOD PANELLING
– Wood offers the greatest number of possibilities
in all available materials. It can be obtain in a
limitless number of colors and patterns and has
an inherent beauty. There is more then 250
commercially available hardwood.
• STONE
– Because of its beautiful colors and textures, it is
often used in interiors. Many varieties of colored
stones are available-white, yellow, orange, red,
grey.
• MARBLE
– Marble, a crystalline stone, has a fine dense texture
and takes an excellent polish. It varies in color and
pattern. Some are relatively soft. Marble obtained in
different finishes: polished, honed, sand rubbed or
abrasive.
• MIRRORS
– A colored mirror can be used to create an effect and
to give an effect of large room. It may be used on a
wall or small units or small pieces arranged in a
panel form. A border may be applied.
• Some other wall coverings are also used as
• CERAMIC TILES
• GRASSCLOTH
• VINYL
• PLASTIC LAMINATES
 FLOORING
• CARPET AND RUGS
– Carpet designs vary according to the locality in which they are made.
– A carpet color should be darker than the wall color because it will show
less soil and have more comfortable reflectance value. A carpet texture
make’s it appears darker than a smooth surface of the same color.
• RESILIENT FLOORING
• It comes in the form of tiles, sheets. It is available in
different patterns and colors.
• Some other types of flooring are
• CORK FLOORING
• TERRAZO FLOORING
• WOOD FLOORING
 CEILINGS

• Because ceiling reflectance should be 60 to 90% so it

should be done in light or pale colors. Indirect lighting
can be done to provide dramatic effect or structural light
is also a good option to produce special effect.
 FURNITURES
• While working on an interior of a building furniture
should take special care. Its color and looks should go
with the interior. An orderly, attractive environment is
an asset whether it is an office or a hospital room or a
bank and color plays a major role in creating such an
atmosphere.
• The fabric of furniture also plays an important role e.g.
leather would look different to velvet or satin of same
color. Fabrics are also available in solid, mixtures,
strips, and printed designs. The color of furniture may
be contrasting to that of walls or ceilings.
 FURNISHES
• CURTAINS
• SHADES AND BLINDS
• PAINTINGS & PHOTOGRAPHS
• LAMPS
• ACESSORIES