Complementary Colours

What are complementary colours?

They are two colours that are on opposite sides of the colour wheel. Yes, the colour wheel. Remember in primary school when we learned about the colour wheel: red, yellow, and blue? Combining these colours will give you secondary choices (orange, purple, etc).

That information comes in handy when picking the right colour for your room. In addition, going through the colour wheel will allow you to decide which tone you want your room to be: cool, complementary, warm, shaded, or vibrant. Giving your room a certain vibe is what homeowners look for.

Had a bad day? You would want to use cool or warm shades to make you more relaxed. Or maybe if you like those gloomier vibes, you would use darker tones to resemble that aspect of your personality.

Without further adieu, let’s dig into talking all about complementary colours! 

Complementary Colours Can Help You Make Decisions

When picking a colour for your room, it can be quite a difficult decision. You might not know what you want to do or you have an idea, but it’s just not the right shade. Complementary colours can help you decide what colour(s) you want for your space.

For example, the complementary colour to yellow is purple. These two colours combined is a mix of blue and red. To remember this in an easier way, these are the first set of complementary colours: yellow and purple, blue and orange, red and green. In addition, when you combine the tertiary colours, you can get these sets: 

• •yellow-orange and blue-purple (indigo) 
• •orange-red and blue-green (aqua) 
• •red-purple (pink) and green-yellow 

With the help of the colour wheel, you have an infinite amount of options, even if they include the most basic hues. What’s important to understand is that the opposite colour is always complementary, when it comes to a particular shade or tone.

Do you like receiving compliments? 

Think of complementary colours like receiving compliments from people: they are always there! With complementary colours, you will notice that they are made up of warm and cool colours. The warm colours include orange, reds, and yellows. The cool colours consist of blues, greens, and purples.

When combined, they create a simultaneous contrast, meaning they are the highest contrasts on the colour wheel. Also, when these colours are combined, the colours appear to be brighter, thus being attracting to one’s eye.

Another example would be sunsets, because they can include blues and oranges. Mix these colours and they are eye-catching because of simultaneous contrast.

If you decide to use reds and you don’t think it is eye-popping, mix something green beside it, and it will be bright.

Mixing complementary colours

Do you want magic to occur? Then you should mix paint and look at the hue’s complementary first.

For example, if you choose to blend a complementary colour into the main colour of a subject, your space will look dynamic as ever. There are many colours on the colour wheel that you can mix around and manipulate with, to satisfy you and your ideas.

Professional painters suggest doing a trial with the colours you want use (test mixing). This will allow you to see all the swatches and how complementary paints affect one another. It’s important to remember that even if you don’t have a set idea or colour that you want, the answer to your problems are most likely on the colour wheel.

Different shades for different rooms 

It’s pretty safe to say that the lighter the shade, the more energy and positivity it gives. Yellow is the colour of the sun and the epitome of vibrancy!

The moment you lay eyes on a yellow wall, you instantly feel good. In addition, being in a yellow room causes people to become more active in their day to day tasks and are more conscious of their surroundings.

So, in the event that you are feeling a little lazy and out of sorts, a yellow wall can change that instantly. Also, pink is a shade that balances energies because of how soothing it appears. In addition, using pink in any room promotes sensitivity and peacefulness.

Lastly, green is a very calming and quiet colour, just like nature! It attracts harmonious vibes, which reduces anxiety. In addition, it can help you stay calm and relaxed, especially when you are having the worst possible day ever.

Complementary Colours 

To recap, complementary colours are pairs of colours directly opposite on the colour wheel. These colours are dynamic individually and when combined, look dynamic together! I know it’s tough picking what colour you want to use, but the answer to your problems are most likely always on the colour wheel. So, when in doubt, use the colour wheel as your support system, or get the help of painting services. To read all about colour theory and get even more interior painting inspiration, visit our colour page here! 

Don’t forget to check out our Pinterest page for all sorts of painting inspiration! 

More interesting blogs related to ” Complementary Colours “:

1. Top Colours For Your Powder Room
2. Colour Theory And Association
3. Colour Theory – Neutral Colours
4. Top Colours For Your Exterior Front Door 

Are you having trouble picking out the right interior paint colour? Or maybe you just don’t have the time right now. Allow our stellar home painting services to come in and do the job right! Our team of professional painters have over 30 years of experience in home painting and renovations. Call 416.494.9095 or email [email protected] for a FREE quote or visit our website https://www.homepainterstoronto.com/