Elements Of Interior Design

Color
Color
The essentials:
• Color is the key element of interior design.
• It is used to create aesthetically pleasing combinations and also works on
a psychological level.
• Color Saturation gives a color brightness or dullness.
• Color may signify emotion (excitement, rage, peace) and stimulate brain
activity (action, relaxation, concentration).
• Light is additive –working towards white.
• Paint or pigment is subtractive –working towards black.
• Mixing red blue and yellow can create any pigment color.
• Tints are made when white is added to a pure hue to make light values.
• A Shade is when black is added to a pure hue to make dark values.
• Color is a property of light.
• Objects have no color of their own, they just reflect a particular
wavelength from the color spectrum. (For example a blue object
absorbs all of the wavelengths, EXCECPT for blue. The remaining
wavelengths enter our eyes and this is what we see.)
• Light is made of all colors
• White reflects all the wave lengths of the color spectrum.
• Black absorbs all the wave lengths of the color spectrum.

The spectrum of colors is created by passing white light through a

prism.
 ‫اللون فى التصميم الداخلى ‪:‬‬
‫• يعد اللون من العناصر البصرية ذات االهمية الكبرى لما يحمله من طاقة ذات محتوى‬
‫بصري مؤثر فى االدراك الحسي والعقلي‪ ،‬يتم من خالله االحساس بجمالية التصميم‬
‫الداخلي وتكامل عناصره الوظيفية و الجمالية‪ ،‬فهو الهوية والصفة لكل سطح‪.‬‬
‫• مصدره الضوء فبال ضوء ال توجد ألوان‪ ،‬ومن الناحية الفيزيائية يتحلل الضوء االبيض الى‬
‫سبعة الوان مرئية‪ ،‬عند سقوط الضوء على سطح يمتص السطح االطوال الموجية ماعدا‬
‫لون السطح يعكسه وهو الحس الذي تراه العين وتدركه والذى يعطى صفة اللون لذلك‬
‫السطح‪.‬‬
Color wheel
The most common organization for
the relationship
of the basic colors is the color wheel.
(It comes from the early 18th
century.)
3 Primary COLORS (can be mixed to
make secondary
colors)
3 Secondary Colors - mixtures of the
primary colors.
• Orange / Green/ Violet

6 Tertiary Colors - mixtures of a

primary and a secondary color
Types:
• Primary colors are hues from which all other colors can be made: red, yellow,
blue.
• Secondary colors are made from mixing equal parts of the Primary colors:
orange, green, violet.
• Tertiary colors are those colors between Primary and Secondary colors:
yellow-orange, red-orange, etc.
• Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each other on the color
wheel: red-green, orange-blue, yellow-violet.
• Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent (side by side) to each other on
the color wheel.
• Monochromatic colors are variations in value of one color by adding either
white to make tints or black to make shades.
• Split Compliment – Uses the 2 colors on either side of the compliment
• Triadic – Uses 3 hues equal distance on the color wheel
Color harmonies - a harmony or combination of particular color based on the
color wheel. Color Schemes are a systematic way of using the color wheel to
put colors together… in your art work, putting together the clothes you wear,
deciding what colors to paint your room.
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary
Analogous
A selection of colors that are adjacent on the color wheel
Monochromatic
uses different values of the same hue, including tints and shades
Complementary
Colors that are opposite on the wheel. High Contrast
Triadic
• Properties of color:
1. Hue
2. Value
3. Intensity/Complementary Colors

Hue - The name of the color

• Red, green and blue-violet are examples of hues.
• Example: Pink, scarlet, maroon and crimson are all a hue of Red.
• There are not many hues but there are many colors.
• The same hue or color can have many different names.
• A color may be lightened or darkened, brightened or dulled, but
the hue will remain the same.
• Value - Lightness or Darkness of a hue
• Tint - adding white to a hue
• Shade - adding black to a hue

“Most people can distinguish at least 40 tints and shades of any color.”

“Normal” Color Value Differ

• “Not all the colors on the color wheel are shown at the same value.”

Value scales for blue, gray, and yellow with equal visual steps.
Color

Changing Color Value

• When working with paint you can thin a color by adding medium.
• You can also alter the value by mixing hues.
• Value, just like color, is changed by its surroundings.

The same color will appear to change in value, depending upon the
surrounding color.
Color

• Intensity = brightness of a color (also called Chroma or

saturation.)

• 2 ways to lower intensity: (or make a color duller)

• Mix with Gray
• Mix with Complement
BUT NO WAY to increase
Chroma

To Make VISUALLY Brighter:

• Simultaneous contrast – when 2 compliments are next to each
other they increase the visual brilliance of each other
• Afterimage effect – when you stare at an intense color and then
look away you will see the complementary color
Warm colors:
Right half of the color wheel contains colors
associated with fire, heat
Identifying colors with the senses
Warm Colors:
• Red,
• Orange,
• Yellow
• Warm colors advance
• Represents – Fire, Sunlight
• Implies – Happy energy
• An artist many use warm and cool color
relationships to create depth and volume.
• It can also create a feeling of light
Cool Colors:
Left half of the wheel has cooler
colors associated with ice, water
• Blue,
• Green,
• Purple
• Cool colors recedes
• Represents – Sky, Water, Grass,
Plants
• Implies – Sadness, Depression,
Night
Feelings & Reactions to Colours :

Cool Colors:

Emotional reactions associated with colour are spontaneous and often

due to perception of a colour rather than to the colour itself.
Red (warm group – primary colour):
Psychological and physiological associations:
Courage, passion, love, excitement, danger, anger,
strength, fire.
Application:
Red is obvious wherever it appears, and should
therefore be used with care.
Red mixes well and most rooms are enhanced by
a touch of one of its tones. A variety of popular
colours are derived from red when it is lightened,
darkened, brightened or dulled.
Orange(warm group – secondary colour):
Psychological and physiological associations:
Cheerfulness, stimulation, sunset, excitement.
When lightened and muted, the peach tone may
appear cool or refreshing.
Application:
Like red, orange has stimulating properties but is
not as demanding.
Peach tones enhance human skin tones. Peach
also serves as a cross between a warm and cool
colour, partly due to the association with the fruit.
Yellow (warm group – primary colour):
Psychological and physiological associations:
Cowardice, deception, sunlight, optimism,
warmth, enlightenment and communication .
Application:
High-noon yellows are the most revealing and
demanding and merit careful attention.
Gray yellows of early dawn are foils for more
fragile colours – pinks and blues. Warm after noon
yellow is a foil for rich, warm woods. All yellows
are reflective, take on tones with other colours
and add faltering highlights.
Blue (cool group – primary colour):
Psychological and physiological associations:
Honesty, loyalty, truth, formality, repose (rest),
tranquility, sky, depth of sea.
Application:
Blue is cool and soothing, recalling sky, water and
ice. It is difficult to mix and varies greatly under
different lighting.
More than any other colour, blue is affected by
the different materials it colours. Blue can be
somber (dull), cold and even depressing if not
used effectively.
Green (cool group – secondary colour):
Psychological and physiological associations:
Nature, serenity, hope, envy, safety, peace,
passivity, security.
Application:
Fresh and friendly, is nature’s colour and is a good
mixer, especially yellow-green and forest green.
White brings out green’s best qualities. When
grayed, warmed, or cooled, green makes an
excellent background. When lightened, it is
retiring and restful. Green is particularly pleasing
in food areas. Deep dark green is a favorite colour
for floor covering.
Violet (cool group – secondary colour):
Psychological and physiological associations:
Royalty, nobility, power, drama, mystery, dignity,
arrogance.
Application:
It combines well with both pink and blue. A light
value of violet produces lavender. Other hues are
plum, eggplant, and lilac.
Often violet is used in small amounts as accents.
It can be dramatic or even disturbing when used
on large surfaces.
White (neutral colour) Off-white (neutralized
colour):
Psychological and physiological associations:
Purity, cleanliness, sterility, sophistication,
freshness.
Application:
White and off-white have the quality of making all
colours in a room look cleaner and livelier.
Changes of light from day to night are kind to off-
white and give it quite vitality. White and off
white can give a mood of sterility and emptiness
(void) if used alone.
Black (neutral colour) Off-black (neutralized
colour):
Psychological and physiological associations:
Mourning, sorrow, depression, sophistication,
mystery, magic, night.

Application:
In furniture finishes, small areas of fabric, or
accessories add an important accent that makes
other colours crisp and clear.
When used for larger areas, black can be
extremely dramatic but can also be oppressive.
Gray (neutral colour):
Psychological and physiological associations:
Penance, gloom, storm, fog, depression, wisdom,
intelligence, business, high-tech, sophistication.
Application:
Used when a neutral appearance is desired.
Gray is a good mixer with other colours, especially
pinks, purples and blues.
Dark gray on large areas may be depressing.
Light gray provides a pleasant background colour.
Brown (neutralised colour):
Psychological and physiological associations:
Earth, wood, warmth, comfort, security, support,
stability.
Application:
The homeyness of brown tones makes them
universal favorites, especially for furnishings made
of wood.
Light browns such as beige, make excellent
supportive backgrounds.
Color

Psychology of colors for interior design :

• Pink color
You can use pink color to create a fresh and fine
atmosphere in the house. In most countries, the color pink
color is seen as a feminine color and it is often associated
with everything related to girls. In general, used in interior
design, the psychological effects of color pink is soothing
and comfortable. Some pink shades are fresh and
sweetness in them that can be associated with sweets.
 ‫التاثيرات السيكولوجية للون ‪:‬‬ ‫•‬
‫االلوان تؤثر على النفس ‪ ،‬فعند وضع اى تصميم داخلى لحيز ينظر الى التاثير السيكولوجى‬ ‫•‬
‫للون و من بينها‬
‫التاثيرات على حجم الفراغ الداخلى الظاهرى و يسبب خداع للنظر‬ ‫•‬
‫و فيما يتعلق بالمسطحات و االحجام فااللوان الباردة تظهر الفضاء الداخلى بانه اكثر اتساعا‬ ‫•‬
‫واكبر من حجمه الحقيقى ‪ ،‬اما االلوان الدافئة فنجدها تعطى شعورا بصغر المساحة ‪،‬‬
‫و لذلك يمكن االستفادة من هذا التاثير باحداث خداع للنظر ينتج منه تكبير او تصغير ظاهرى‬ ‫•‬
‫لالبعاد ‪ (،‬فنستطيع ان نجعل الغرف الكبيرة تبدو اضيق من حقيقتها باستخدام االلوان الدافئة‬
‫للحوائط ‪ ،‬اما اللون االبيض المحاط بلون غامق فيبدو اوسع حجما)‪.‬‬
‫• هناك قاعدة لونية عامة فى توزيع االلوان بالنسبة لمحددات الفضاء الداخلى ‪:‬‬
 ‫االرضيات‪:‬‬
‫‪ -‬االلوان الداكنة الدافئة لالرضية تعطى احساسا باالمان ‪.‬‬
‫‪ -‬االلوان الفاتحة الباردة لالرضية تعطى تاكيدا على نعومة االرضية‪.‬‬
‫‪ -‬االلوان الباردة الداكنة تعطي عمقا ووزنا لألرضية‪.‬‬
‫‪ -‬االرضيات الفاتحة اللون تعكس االضاءة الساقطة على سطحها وتساعد على جعل الفضاء‬
‫الداخلى يبدو اكثر اشراقا‪ ،‬اما الداكنة فتمتص االضاءة الساقطة عليها‪.‬‬
 ‫الحوائط ‪:‬‬
‫‪ -‬االلوان الفاتحة للحوائط تعكس االضاءة بفاعلية‪.‬‬
‫االلوان الدافئة تعطى احساس ا ً بالدفئ‪.‬‬
‫‪ -‬االلوان الفاتحة الباردة تزيد من االحساس باتساع الغرفة ‪.‬‬
‫االسقف‪:‬‬
‫‪ -‬االلوان القاتمة تقلل من ارتفاع السقف وتعمل على الثقل البصري‪.‬‬
‫‪ -‬االلوان الباردة الفاتحة تزيد من ارتفاع السقف‪.‬‬
 ‫• االلوان بوجه عام ‪:‬‬
‫‪ -‬االلوان ذات الشدة القوية بطبيعتها الوان مثيرة و منبهة و ذلك يكون مرهق‬
‫للعين ‪،‬‬
‫لذا يستحسن استخدامه فى اماكن الحركة واالماكن ذات االقامة القصيرة فى‬
‫االماكن العامة‪.‬‬

‫‪ -‬االلوان ذات الشدة الضعيفة او المتوسطة تكون مريحة للعين فتستخدم فى غرفة‬
‫المعيشة‬
‫و المكتبات و قاعات المدارس ‪.‬‬
‫‪ -‬يستحسن استخدام االلوان الدافئة فى االماكن البعيدة عن الضوء الطبيعى ‪.‬‬
‫‪ -‬يفضل استخدام االلوان االكثر قوة بنسب اقل لتصبح وظيفتها اكثر وضوحا و‬
‫تعمل بالتالى على احياء االلوان الهادئة او المحايدة ‪.‬‬
‫ان االلوان السائدة والمستخدمة فى الفراغ قد تتغيير عن طريق تعديل االضاءة ‪،‬‬
‫فتنوعات‬
‫االنعكاس والملمس لالسطح تدفع درجات االلوان الى التحول فى القيمة و التشبع ‪.‬‬
 Colour creates powerful psychological and physiological
effects. Psychological effects are sensed in the mind;
physiological effects actually cause a change in the body.
 People may react differently to the same colour, based on their
previous experiences or learned behaviors.
 Colour affects an individual’s moods or feelings in regard to
space. Light and cool colours seem to expand the space, dark
and warm colours seem to enclose space.
 Colour affects the eye’s perception of weight and size. Dark
and bright colors seem heavier than light and cool colours.
 Colour affects a person’s perception of temperature. Body
temperature fluctuates in response to various colours. For
example, red, orange and yellow can raise one’s temperature;
cool colours have the opposite effect.
 Colours can cause feelings of boredom and calmness, or
stimulation and liveliness.
 Colour can affects one’s reaction to sounds, taste ,odors, and time
perception.
 Colours can improve the rate of recovery of sick patients.
EXTRA DATA
Color

Psychology of colors for interior design :

• Brown color
Says stability, reliability, and approachability

• The physical and mental effects:

Feeling of wholesomeness
Stability
Connection with the earth
Offers a sense orderliness
Color

Psychology of colors for interior design :

• White color
• Projects purity, cleanliness, and neutrality

• The physical and mental effects:

Aids mental clarity
Encourages us to clear clutter or obstacles
Evokes purification of thoughts or actions
Enables fresh beginnings
Color

Psychology of colors for interior design :

• Grey color
Gray interior give a formality that is subtle elegance without
being too conservative. Gray color effect depends very
much on the color shade that you will use. For example, if
gray has a yellow tint may be depressed, especially if you
have things in the room in various shades of brown. But a
beautiful shade of gray, in combination with not very bright
white color, can create a clean and refreshing appearance. If
you have too many gray areas will become predominant
and create a boring environment.
Color

Psychology of colors for interior design :

• Black color
• Is authoritative and powerful

• Evokes strong emotions

• The physical and mental effects:

Feeling inconspicuous
A restful emptiness
Mysterious evoking a sense of potential and possibility
Color

Psychology of colors for interior design :

• Yellow color
• Shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness

• Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive

future

• The physical and mental effects:

Mentally stimulating
Stimulates the nervous system
Activates memory
Encourages communication
Color

Psychology of colors for interior design :

• Orange color
• Fun and flamboyant orange radiates warmth and energy

• The physical and mental effects:

Stimulates activity
Stimulates appetite
Encourages socialization
Color

Psychology of colors for interior design :

• Red color
• Recognized as a stimulant

• The physical and mental effects:

Increases enthusiasm
Stimulates energy
Encourages action and confidence
A sense of protection from fears and anxiety
Color

Psychology of colors for interior design :

• Purple color
• Provokes a sense of mystic and royal qualities

• The physical and mental effects:

Uplifting
Calming to mind and nerves
Offers a sense of spirituality
Encourages creativity
Color

Psychology of colors for interior design :

• Blue color
• Is seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed

• Invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals

that are calming

• The physical and mental effects:

Calming and sedate
Cooling
Aids intuition
Color

Psychology of colors for interior design :

• Green color
• Is the pervasive color
• The natural greens are seen as tranquil and refreshing
• Green is considered the color of peace and ecology

• The physical and mental effects

Soothing
Relaxing mentally as well as physically
Helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety
Offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony
Color
Conclusion
• Not all of these colors are associated with the same emotions around
the world. Some cultures respond differently to different colors.
• Some people will respond differently based upon events and memories
in their background. Therefore psychological effects of colors can vary
on an individual basis.
• Sub-conscious effects are usually the same for all people.
• Sub-conscious effects such as :
Appetite changes associated with red
The healing effects of green
Loss of energy associated with pink.
The increase of blood and oxygen flow to the brain associated with
Orange