Niki Milliken Let’s first define warm and cool colors: Warm colors include shades like red, orange, and yellow. These colors historically can evoke feelings of warmth and coziness. Cool colors consist of blues, greens, and purples. They can create a sense of calm, tranquility, and relaxation.
Warm Colors:
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Cool Colors:
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Begin your interior design by selecting a color scheme that combines both warm and cool colors. A popular choice is the complementary color scheme, where you pair colors from opposite sides of the color wheel. For example, blue and orange or green and red.
Consider the 60-30-10 Rule! This rule suggests dividing your color scheme into 60% dominant color (usually a neutral or a cool color), 30% secondary color (often a warm color), and 10% accent color (for added vibrancy). This formula helps create a balanced look.
Color Wheel:
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Think about the room’s function when choosing warm and cool colors. For a cozy bedroom, warm colors like deep reds or soft oranges can create a soothing atmosphere. In contrast, cool colors like blues and greens are excellent for a tranquil bathroom or home office. Warm colors can make a room feel more intimate and inviting, while cool colors can promote a sense of serenity. Balance these effects based on the desired mood for each space.
Red & Green Space
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Orange & Blue Space:
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The choice of materials and textures can help balance warm and cool colors. For instance, pairing warm reds with cool grays in a room with wooden furniture can create an inviting and visually interesting contrast. Incorporating natural elements like wood or stone can bridge the gap between warm and cool colors. Wood floors or furniture add warmth to a room dominated by cool colors.
Cool tones with cognac, red & wood accents
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Lighting plays a crucial role in how colors appear. Warm lighting can enhance warm colors, while cool lighting complements cool colors. Consider the time of day and the amount of natural light a room receives when choosing lighting and paint colors
Always test your chosen color palette before painting the entire room. Paint a small section of the wall and observe how the colors interact under different lighting conditions.
Balance colors not only through wall paint but also with furniture, decor items, and textiles. Cushions, curtains, artwork, accessories, and rugs can introduce warm and cool tones to the room. A neutral color palette can act as a canvas for incorporating warm and cool colors. Beige, gray, or white walls and furniture provide a balanced backdrop for colorful accents.
Achieving a balance between warm and cool colors in interior design requires thoughtful planning and consideration of factors like the color wheel, room function, texture, lighting, and materials. By carefully combining these elements, you can create a harmonious and visually pleasing living space that suits your style and preferences. Remember that personal taste is key, so don’t hesitate to experiment and trust your instincts when designing your ideal interior. My first step is to ALWAYS start with a mood board to build any room, you should never be surprised by how anything looks because you carefully planned it all out ahead of time.
Dream. Design. Redefine.
-Niki Milliken
