6 Methods to Choose Wall Colors For Your Residence

Imagine walking into a swimming pool complex that is painted in shades of red rather than the usual blue. A horrifying image of bodies floating in blood is what comes to mind. Instead of experiencing a relaxing and cool atmosphere, the poolgoers might have the cops called on them. This could become a cause of sick building syndrome.

color and architecture

Colors have the ability to influence and even change a space and also the users involved- It can irritate or comfort the eyes, sway moods and cause pleasant or unpleasant responses subconsciously. 

The 6 Methods to choose wall colors for your residence are:

  1. Interaction between colors
  2. Afterimage
  3. Simultaneous Contrast
  4. Color and space
  5. Distribution of Color
  6. Cultural Context

1. Interaction between colors

A single color is never perceived alone, just like how we never perceive a single note in a whole song. The presence of other colors nearby affects how we see the first one. For example, when two complementary colors like magenta and green are placed adjacent to each other, both the colors affect each other's hues. 

how two colors affect each other when they are placed next to each other
Both the magenta and the green colors affect each other when placed adjacent to each other

Living Room Design by Francesca Grace

Living Room Design by Francesca Grace
Living Room Design by Francesca Grace

Pastel orange, red and green, if used in the right proportion is a good combination choice. The choice of wood also matters in this design.

2. Afterimage

When complementary hues are placed next to each other, a type of optical illusion occurs in which the image continues to appear briefly even after exposure to it has ended, due to a strong contrast and vibrancy. This is referred to as afterimage. For any given color, the eye requires balance from the complementary color and will generate the complement spontaneously if it is not present.

colors can help in rememberance and afterimage
Afterimage can be experienced after starring at the red square for a short period and at the 'x' on the white surface.

Peachy Living Room by Sandra Lucas

Peachy Living Room by Sandra Lucas
Peachy Living Room by Sandra Lucas

Balance needs to be maintained if complementary colors are chosen for a room. Too much of one color might affect the way we perceive the other color and the room as a whole. In this image, the bright peach color on the walls pales the grey and wooden furniture while also giving an after image.

3. Simultaneous contrast:

The presence of one color in a larger amount can influence the tone and hue of the smaller ones, when placed side by side. Secondly, the stronger the contrast of the backgrounds, the better an object with a bright color can be made to appear stronger by placing it nearby. The visual illusion of simultaneous contrast can be effectively applied to interior design. 

Red and White Living Room

Red and White Living Room
Red and White Living Room

The neutral gray placed against a surrounding red background appears to have a tinge of green (the complement of red). 

4. Color and space:

Color even has an effect on how we perceive the size and distance of a space. Spaces with very light, cool colors on the walls generally will appear more spacious, while those with darker and warmer hues appear to be more confined. Darker colors appear less intense when used in larger spaces or at a greater distance. Lighter and cooler hues give the opposite effect. 

Room With Dark And Lighter Colors

comparison of how color affects how big a room looks
Room With Dark And Lighter Colors

The room on the left appears more open and spacious compared to the one on the right, A room with white or pastel shaded paint appears more light and spacious than the same room with a darker shade. 

5. Distribution of color:

There are primarily two popular methods utilized for color distribution:

  1. The first is that the backgrounds (floors and walls) should be painted in neutral colors, and a color in it's strongest chroma should be used in accessories and furniture items. 
  2. The second method is to put the darker values (stronger chroma), in the backgrounds and use more neutralized tones for the major furniture items. 

Room With Neutral Color And Stronger Furniture

Red furnitures placed in a white background or wall paint
Red (a stronger chroma) colored furniture placed in a neutral background

A chair with a darker chroma placed against a light background will produce a dramatic effect but be less pronounced in contrast than a light-value chair against a dark background.

6. Cultural context

Different colors mean different things to different people. This mostly has to do with the person's cultural background or the place they are from. For example, while the color red denotes something ritualistic in India, it signifies good fortune in China and mourning in South Africa.

Villa in Banglore by Ganesh Nair

Villa in Banglore by Ganesh Nair
Villa in Banglore by Ganesh Nair

Muted earthly tones are usually preferred in tradition-inspired homes in India where mud and stone construction used to be the norm.

Additionally, theoretical knowledge alone is not sufficient for gaining a good sense of using colours. Just like how reading notes is not going to make one a genius, merely studying theory is not enough. In this particular field, trial and error is the best teacher.

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6 Methods to Choose Wall Colors For Your Residence