HOW TO USE A COLOUR WHEEL

Colour can play a major part in the way a room both looks and feels. Read on to learn how you can effectively use a colour wheel to suggest schemes that enhance both the mood and style of any space…

If you don’t yet use a colour wheel when providing colour advice and recommendations to customers, the question is ‘why not?’ The colour wheel is a practical guide on how different tones and hues can interact and work together. It consists of 12 colour sections: three primary colours, three secondary colours and six tertiary colours (achieved by mixing primary and
secondary hues together).

When using the colour wheel for painting and choosing a colour scheme, there are three main approaches that you can take: monochromatic, harmonious and complementary. Being able to recommend the best approach can be invaluable, both for your customers and to give yourself a
competitive edge in an overcrowded market.

 

Monochromatic

A monochromatic scheme uses only one colour but in a variety of tones, ideal for customers who have a specific style in mind. For example, if they chose green, you could suggest sage, emerald and forest green to create a clean aesthetic.

Harmonious

Using colours that sit alongside each other on the wheel is considered a harmonious scheme (also known as analogous), often used to help create a sense of cohesiveness in a room. For example, combining red, orange and yellow tones together could create a happy and energetic feeling within the space.

Complementary

As a rule, complementary schemes occur when two colours that are opposite each other on the wheel are used together. This can lead to a bold and contemporary contrast, due to the combination of both cool and warm tones. For instance, combining baby blue and apricot will provide a strong contrast, while still maintaining a relaxing environment.