Types of Color Schemes
Monochromatic
●Related
-Analogous
●Contrast
-Complementary
-Split Complementary
-Triadic
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Monochromatic
●
One color and its values
Analogous Colors
●
●
2 of 3 similar adjacent
colors on a color wheel
Often also used with a
neutral color
Contrast Complementary
Colors that are direct opposite each other on
the color wheel
●Complementary colors are
“opposites” and
generally result in
good contrast
●Naturally go well
together
●
Split Complementary
A color and the two colors that are next to the
complementary color
●
Triad Color Scheme
●
●
Any three colors spaced
equally from each other
in the color wheel
Creates an equilateral
triangle on the color
wheel
RED
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Anger
Excitement
Love
Dominant
Strong
Intense
Active
BLUE
●
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Calm
Sad
Comfort
Security
Loyalty
Trust
YELLOW
●
●
●
Happy
Cheerful
Energetic
GREEN
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Calm
Happy
Natural
Quietness
Refreshment
Endurance
Stability
ORANGE
●
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Exciting
Upsetting
Distressing
Determination
Success
PURPLE
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Defined
Royal
Distinguished
Power
Ambition
Luxury
WHITE *yes technically it’s a “value” not a true color
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Purity
Goodness
Light
Innocence
Positive
Simple
Clean
BLACK *yes technically it’s a “value” not a true color
●
●
●
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Elegant
Powerful
Formal
Death
Elements of
Design
SPACE
•
Space is the 3 dimensional expanse that a
designer is working with.
–
Large, open spaces give people a feeling of freedom
and luxury.
•
•
•
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Too much open space can make people feel lonely and
uncomfortable.
Rooms with high ceilings or too few furnishings can have this
effect as well.
Empty parts of room may look larger than smaller areas
containing furniture.
Crowded spaces with too much furniture may make
you feel confined.
•
On the other hand, you may feel snug and secure.
LINE
•
•
•
Line outlines form and conveys a sense of movement
or direction.
Lines can be used to convey a sense of strength,
serenity, gracefulness, or action.
All lines are either straight or curved and are placed
in a direction, vertical, horizontal, or diagonal.
–
Vertical lines can convey strength and stability
•
–
–
–
(pinstriped suit)
A horizontal line may suggest rest.
Diagonal or zigzag lines evoke excitement and movement.
Curved lines have a graceful and delicate effect.
FORM

•
Form describes the shape and structure of solid
objects.
Large heavy objects such as pianos or sofas give a
feeling of stability.
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–
•
Their massive appearance adds a solid feeling to the room.
Placing several small objects together will create stability
as well (such as 2 chairs and a table grouped together)
Designers are usually more concerned with apparent
weight rather than actual weight.
–
–
Light colors pair with other light colors equal a lightness
Light colors paired with dark colors may add weight.
TEXTURE

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•
Texture
An object’s texture is the appearance or feel of its surface.
Texture can influence the way people feel in a room.
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•
Plush carpet and furniture covered with soft fabric provide a
sense of comfort.
Nubby, rough materials convey a feeling of ruggedness and
stability.
Smooth velvets and heavy brocades suggest luxury.
Glass, metal and stone give a feeling a coolness.
Texture can also affect apparent size.
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–
Soft silky fabric on a couch may seem smaller than rough and
ragged fabric on a couch.
Smooth textures reflect light and rough textures absorb light.
Principles of
Design
BALANCE
SYMMETRICAL BALANCE
 Creates
a quiet, restful feeling.
 Suggests restraint, orderliness, formality.
 Also called, FORMAL balance.
ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE
 Creates
more interesting arrangements.
 Suggests informality, relaxed.
 Also referred to as INFORMAL balance.
RHYTHM
Rhythm
by Repetition
Rhythm by Gradation
Rhythm by Radiation
Rhythm by Opposition
Rhythm by Transition
SCALE AND PROPORTION
SCALE
Relates to the actual and relative size and visual weight of
the design and its components.
 Furniture and accessories must be in scale to the room

PROPORTION
The Golden Mean – the division of a line or form so that
the smaller portion has the same ratio to the larger as the
larger has to the whole.
 The creative use of color, texture, pattern, and furniture
arrangement can create illusions of properly proportioned
space.

EMPHASIS

The center or focus of attention and interest within a
design
HARMONY
UNITY
Unity occurs when all the parts of a home or room are
related by one idea.
 A unified design has consistency of style

VARIETY
When two or more different elements of design are
used to add interest to a design.
 Variety can be achieved by combining different styles
and materials, as long as they are compatible.
