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 l u e - v io l e t

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

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

Y e llo w - g r e e n R ed

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 - v io 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 R e 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 l u e - v i o le t

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

G re e n R e d - v i o le t

Y e llo w -g re e n R ed

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

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 -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 llo w - g r e e n R ed

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

Y e llo w - o r 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 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 ll o w - g r e e n R ed

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

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

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 l lo w - g r e e n R ed

Y e l lo w R e d -o ra n g e

Y e l lo w - o r a n g e O ra n g e
Neutral
 A color scheme using whites,
blacks, grays and beiges.

B lu e B l u e - v io l e t

B lu e - g re e n V i o le t

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

Y e ll o w - g r e e n R ed

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

Y e ll o w - o r a n g e O ra n g e
Warm Colors
 Colors on the warm side of the
spectrum…red, yellow,
orange.
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 llo w - g re e n R ed

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 lu e B l u 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 llo w -g re e n R ed

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
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.