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.

B lu e B lu e -v io le t

B lu e -g r e e n V io le t

G re e n R e d -v io le t

Y e llo w -g re e n Red

Y e llo w R e d -o r a n g e

Y e llo w -o ra n g e O ra n g e
Analogous
 A color scheme using colors
next to each other on the color
wheel.
B lu e B lu e - vio le t

B lu e - g re e n V io le t

G reen R e d -v io le t

Y e llo w -g re e n Re d

Y e llo w R e d -o ra n g e

Y e llo w -o ra n g e O range

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.
B lu e B lu e -v io le t

B lu e -g re e n V io le t

G re e n R e d -v io le t

Y e llow -g re e n Red

Y e llow R e d -o ra n g e

Y e llow -o ra n g e O ra n g e

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.

B lu e B lu e -vio le t

B lu e -g re e n V io le t

G re e n R e d -vio le t

Y e llo w- gr e e n Red

Y e llo w R e d -o ra n g e

Y e llo w- or a n g e O ra n g e
Split Complementary
 A color scheme using one
color, and the colors on either
side of it’s complement.

B lue B lue -v iole t

B lue -g ree n V iole t

G re e n R ed -v iole t

Y e llo w -g ree n R ed

Y e llo w R ed -o ran g e

Y e llo w -o ran g e O ra n ge
Triad
 A color scheme using three
colors equal distance from
each other on the color wheel.

B lu e B lu e-v io let

B lu e-gre en V io le t

G ree n R e d-v io le t

Y ellow -g reen Re d

Y ellow R e d-ora nge

Y ellow -o rang e O ran ge

Neutral
 A color scheme using whites,
blacks, grays and beiges.

B lu e B lu e- v io let

B lu e- gre e n V io le t

G ree n R e d- v io let

Y e llo w -gre e n Red

Y e llo w R e d- ora n g e

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

Warm Colors
 Colors on the warm side of the
spectrum…red, yellow,
orange.
B lu e B lu e -vio le t

B lu e -g re e n V io le t

G re e n R e d -vio le t

Y e llo w- g re e n Red

Y e llo w R e d -o ra n g e

Y e llo w- o ra n g e O ra n g e
Cool Colors
 Colors on the cool side of the
spectrum…blue, violet, green.

B lue B lue -v io le t

B lue -gre e n V iolet

G re e n R ed -v io le t

Y ellow -gre en R ed

Y ellow R ed -ora n ge

Y ellow -ora ng e O ra n ge
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.