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A colorful background with a mixture of orange, red, blue, and purple swirling together behind a logo that says color theory and beneath it the words, transforming your space.

Time For A New Color?

Are you tired of your current home decor and looking for an easy and impactful way to refresh your space? Look no further than using color theory to transform your space with paint! Whether you’re a seasoned interior designer or a beginner looking to make a statement, understanding the principles of color theory can help you create a cohesive and visually stunning color palette for your home. It may seem intimidating but the process of applying color theory to painting can be broken down into three simple steps that we will look into.

Understanding the Color Wheel

Four cans of paint with their color beneath them. Yellow, blue, grayish, and pink

Before diving into selecting paint colors, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the color wheel. The color wheel is a visual representation of the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) cannot be created by mixing other colors and are the building blocks for all other colors. Secondary colors (orange, green, and purple) are created by mixing two primary colors, and tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with a secondary color. By understanding the color wheel, you can better understand how different colors interact and how to use them effectively in your home. If you would like to understand color theory better, here is an article that digs deeper. Understanding the color wheel is the most complicated part of applying color theory to painting, so with that out of our way we can move on easily.

Choosing a Color Scheme

A gray background with a pink and purple pastel cloud inside a white frame

Once you have a basic understanding of the color wheel, you can start to consider different color schemes for your space. A color scheme is a combination of colors that work well together and can create a cohesive look in your home. Some common color schemes include complementary, split complementary, analogous, and monochromatic.

  • Complementary color schemes use colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as blue and orange or red and green. These color schemes can be bold and dramatic, and work well in spaces where you want to make a statement.

  • Split complementary color schemes use a base color and the two colors adjacent to its complementary color. For example, if you choose blue as your base color, your split complementary color scheme would include yellow-green and red-purple. These color schemes are less bold than complementary schemes, but still create a sense of visual interest.

  • Analogous color schemes use colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, such as blue, blue-green, and green. These color schemes are often calm and harmonious, and work well in spaces where you want to create a sense of tranquility.

  • Monochromatic color schemes use different shades and tints of a single color. These color schemes are elegant and sophisticated, and work well in spaces where you want to create a cohesive and cohesive look.

Benjamin Moore offers an organized color palette to help you visualize paints in the process of applying color theory to painting.

Choosing the Right Paint Finish

A close up view of paints swirled together with deep blue on the left and pastel pink to the right, with white in the middle

In addition to selecting the right colors for your space, it’s also important to consider the paint finish. Different paint finishes have different levels of shine and durability, and can create different effects in your space. Some common paint finishes include:

  • Flat/matte: Flat or matte paint has a non-reflective finish and is perfect for hiding imperfections in walls. It is also easy to touch up, but is not as durable as other finishes and may not be suitable for high-traffic areas.

  • Eggshell: Eggshell paint has a slight sheen and is more durable than flat paint. It is a good choice for low-traffic areas or spaces where you want a subtle shine.

  • Satin: Satin paint has a moderate sheen and is more durable than eggshell paint. It is a good choice for high-traffic areas or spaces where you want a little more shine.

  • Semi-gloss: Semi-gloss paint has a high sheen and is very durable. It is a good choice for trim, doors, and cabinets, as well as high-traffic areas.

  • Gloss: Gloss paint has a very high sheen

Choosing the perfect finish can be a bit tricky so Clare and Benjamin Moore offer quality finish options to help in the final step of applying color theory to your painting process.

Wrapping Up

A color wheel with many colors and multiple paint cans to the left on top of a blue background

By understanding the principles of color theory and using it to choose a cohesive and visually stunning color palette for your home, you can easily transform your space with paint. Whether you opt for a bold and dramatic complementary color scheme or a calming and harmonious analogous color scheme, you can use color to create the desired atmosphere in your home. And by choosing the right paint finish for your space, you can ensure that your paint job is both beautiful and practical. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors and finishes – with a little bit of knowledge and creativity, you can create a space that truly reflects your personal style and tastes. Applying 

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