Is there any facet of interior style more daunting than colour? For many of us, choosing a scheme comes with indecision. I love mint-green but how will it look on all four walls? Will I regret upholstering my couch in navy? Perhaps that nervousness comes from knowing the psychological impact of colour. Deep greens are restful, a reflection of nature. Red evokes everything from anger and danger to passion.
Knowing the basics of colour theory is a great place to start. Make like the interior design experts and consult a colour wheel, the classic design tool designed by Sir Isaac Newton will show you in an instant how your favourite shades sit together. Put simply, the wheel is made up of primary, secondary and tertiary colours, then split into warmer and cooler hues, along with tints (colours with white added), tones (with grey) and shades (with black). A quick glance will soon determine if your colours of choice are complementary or more likely to clash.
