Whether you're mixing clothes, decorating a room, or choosing background paper in a picture frame, knowing which colors stand out from the rest and are the most eye-catching can help. You can start by looking at the color wheel and learning what colors work best together. Experimenting with different color combinations will help you develop a sense of what works and what doesn't.
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Method 1 of 3: Training the Eyes to See Color
Step 1. Learn about the color wheel
The color wheel is a color chart that provides useful illustrations of what colors work and what colors don't when combined. The first color wheel was developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666, and variations of his design have been used as the basis for traditional color theory ever since. The color wheel is divided into the following sections:
- Primary colors: red, blue and yellow. These are colors that cannot be produced using other colors.
- Secondary colors: green, orange and purple. These colors are created by mixing primary colors in different combinations.
- Secondary and tertiary colors: yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green, and yellow-green. These colors are produced by mixing one primary color with one secondary color.
Step 2. Mix primary colors with other primary colors
This blending concept is also called "color harmony," which is achieved when colors create a pleasing effect. Red, yellow and blue are always harmonious. These colors are bold and eye-catching, and never go out of style. When you're putting together a palette for clothes, paintings or the dining room, you can rely on primary colors to make your project look bright and cheerful.
- Strong primary colors are usually associated with children, the tropics, and sports teams. However, there's no reason for you not to be able to play with darker or lighter colors.
- If you want your color combination to look more sophisticated, you may want to consider using only one or two primary colors instead of all three. A red, blue and yellow outfit may look childlike, but a red and yellow combination can be more modern.
Step 3. Blend complementary colors
Look at the color wheel and choose any color, then move your finger to the opposite color. Colors that are opposite on the wheel are complementary colors. When you place the colors close together, they will help each other to stand out and the combination looks interesting.
- Popular complementary combinations include blue and orange, purple and yellow, as well as green and pink.
- When you select two colors from random points on the wheel, the colors may collide rather than match (though the boundaries are sometimes hard to find). Complementary colors of the same brightness and shades always go well.
Step 4. Blend the analog colors
These are colors that are close to each other on the color wheel, such as blue and indigo. Using different color shades in a family creates a nuanced look that has a beautiful and fun effect. For example, a denim skirt with a light blue T-shirt and an indigo scarf would go well.
- Choose your favorite color and mix it with the color to the left or right of it. Red goes well with pink, yellow goes well with orange, and so on. All gradations in the same family will match.
- Limit yourself to one color family; choosing a color outside that family will create a rainbow effect.
Step 5. Learn about warm colors and cool colors
Warm colors like yellow, orange, and red are on one side of the color wheel, and cool colors like blue, green, purple are on the other. All colors can have warm or cool elements depending on the mix.
- For example, if you mix purple with red, you will get a warm reddish-purple. If you mix purple with blue, you get a calming violet. When matching colors, temperature matters.
- When creating a color palette for your wardrobe or decorating a room and you want a coherent effect, pair warm colors with other warm colors, and cool colors with other cool colors. For example, you could choose to wear a dark dress, a yellow scarf like mustard cream, and a small bag of cognac.
- Mixing warm and cool colors in the same palette produces a fun and cheerful or calming effect, depending on how you look at it.
Step 6. Consider "earth tones" or "neutral colors"
Earth colors cannot be found on the color wheel. These colors don't really have an easy definition--they are based more on fashion than scientific explanation. These colors are usually universal, including: browns, cream colors, whites, grays, and slates, which fall into this category.]
- The colors above are neutral natural colors and go well with most other colors. The colors are a reminder of natural elements such as sand, earth, and stones. However, this color group also contains colors such as pale white.
- Black, white, and tan or khaki are often considered neutral colors in the fashion world. These colors usually go well with any color. An example is black pants with a light pink blouse.
- In the fashion world, blue denim is usually considered neutral. Blue jeans will go well with any color shirt.
- When you choose neutral colors to match your color palette, you have to consider the color temperature. For example, if your color palette is cool, then your neutrals might be bright white or navy blue; warmer colors will not match. For a warmer color palette, opt for tan or cream colors.
- White and black are neutrals, but know that these colors are rarely considered absolutes. A pale white wall may have a slight yellowish tinge. Or, a black t-shirt might have a touch of blue.
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Neutral colors don't get boring! People sometimes mistake neutral colors for boring and dead colors. The strength of neutral colors is that they work well in groups and go well with primary and secondary colors. As an example:
- White t-shirt with blue jeans.
- Black khakis and sweater.
Method 2 of 3: Blending the Colors of Your Clothes
Step 1. Try a monochrome look
Wearing the same color from head to toe is an eye-catching look. The classic monochrome look is black-and-white or black-and-white, modern options that give your look an elegant look. If you really want to get people to turn their heads as you walk by, try a monochrome look in a lighter color, like red or green.
- This method must be done with careful consideration. A combination of a black dress, heels, and purse might make you look pretty, but you could be perceived as someone who is grieving, a Gothist, or a hairdresser. You have to consider the overall style of your appearance, not just the color!
- The key to a successful monochrome look is finding each piece of clothing in exactly the same color. Wearing a bright white top with cream pants can be a no-brainer, but if you find a top and bottom in the same color, you've succeeded.
- To make the monochrome look less extreme, pair it with a bit of a neutral color, such as sand-brown shoes or a brown belt.
Step 2. Use one accent color
If you're going to a formal meeting that requires you to wear a dark blue or black suit, you can still add a bit of personality to the look with a single accent color. Make sure the accent color you choose is similar to the temperature of your base setting. For example,
- If you're wearing a black suit, try a red or turquoise camis or blouse.
- If you're wearing a dark blue suit, try a yellow or pink camis or blouse.
Step 3. Learn to combine patterns
Once you've gained the confidence to mix colors effectively, you can start creating stylish outfits by incorporating impossible patterns into your wardrobe. You are not limited to mixing solid colors with solids. Expand and start blending stripes, polka dots, flowers, and animal prints with each other to create new styles from existing outfits.
- If you wear patterned clothes, combine them with solid colors. This is relatively easy to do. If you have a black skirt with a small floral pattern, team it with a green top that matches the color of the leaves.
- Wearing strong colored clothes can also help you develop a fashion style. Try purple, orange, and yellow. A purple t-shirt with an orange skirt or yellow tights will make you look absolutely gorgeous. Also try the zebra print.
- Match two patterns of the same color. This method will be a little difficult, but it produces an amazing effect. For example, if you're wearing an orange blouse with stripes, you can pair it with a leopard-patterned skirt of the same color.
- Mix patterns in the same color family. You can combine patterns that do not have the same color by adjusting colors that are in the same family. Tie-down shorts in brown and cream tones can be paired with a brown polka dot blouse.
Step 4. Know your neutral outfit
It's an outfit in your closet that goes with just about anything, so you can never have enough of it. Neutral colors are easy to match, but you should still put in a little effort to make sure the outfit matches the match. Here are some popular neutrals:
- Denim. Goes well with anything, right? But remember to consider a wash of color. The dark wash goes well with the different shades of faded blue denim.
- Camel color or brown. Perfect for earth color palettes.
- Dark blue. It looks beautiful with jewel tones.
- White and cream. Brightens all clothes, as long as you keep the color temperature in mind.
Step 5. Use accessories to play with colors
If you're just starting out on a quest to incorporate more colors into your wardrobe, try playing with accessories. Feel free to experiment to find out what looks good and what doesn't by wearing belts, flat shoes, jewelry, and scarves. Wearing accessories is also a fun way to learn more about mixing styles without spending money on expensive clothes that might end up mismatched.
Method 3 of 3: Choosing Colors to Decorate Your Home
Step 1. Choose a ready-made color scheme or blend
If in doubt, it's best to start by following the advice of the experts. Most home improvement and paint stores provide a selection of suitable color schemes. Oftentimes, this option also includes colors so you can reduce the confusion of choosing the right ivory white.
- You don't have to select all the colors in the scheme. If you don't like green, for example, you don't need to use it. You also don't need to use all 12 colors. Just use what you like and fits the room in the house.
- You don't have to buy paint to add color to your home. For example, if you just want to add a little bit of orange to your home, even though the cost of painting the entire wall of the room is too expensive. For that, you only need to add decorative pillows, sheets, paintings, curtains, and the like.
Step 2. Choose different colors to paint the walls and furniture
Do not mix walls and sofas with exactly the same color. While they would technically "fit," they don't make each other stand out and look good. On the other hand, the color of the walls and sofa will look ordinary. Here are some ideas you can try instead:
- Choose a color in the same family. If you have blue walls, try a turquoise sofa. If your walls are yellow, choose a red and orange color scheme for the furniture. These colors will be harmonious and not interfere with each other.
- Or choose a contrasting color for a bigger splash. Buy a mauve loveseat to place in a sun-kissed room, or try a rock-red sofa to balance out your bright turquoise walls.
Step 3. Consider having an accent wall
Many people hesitate to paint an entire room in one bold color, and for good reason. Colors that are too dense can overwhelm a room and have an effect on emotional states. A bright red room might make you feel nervous, and a dark gray room might make you gloomy. But this does not mean you have to choose a neutral color. Having an accent wall gives you the opportunity to play with color without having to worry about getting emotional. Here's how:
- Saturated colors have a strong influence on emotional states. Bright red can make you feel anxious, while dark gray can make you feel sad.
- However, strong colors can have a positive effect on a person. An orange room can make a person feel happy and creative, and a dark gray color can make a person feel focused. However, different people may react differently to the same color in the same room.
- Choose the narrowest wall in the room, such as the area around the front door or above the kitchen counter. Give paint a light color that matches the neutral color of the room.
- Or use a contrasting color for the trim. Painting the outlines in a contrasting color gives the room an interesting eclectic feel. You can also create stencil outlines in different colors.
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Keep in mind that the color temperature can affect the atmosphere of the room. Blue rooms can have a calming effect, while bright yellow rooms can be overstimulating. Using just one splash of intense color can give you the flavor you want without going overboard.
- For example, if you like fusion colors for your bedroom, consider adding them in the form of pillows, sheets, and paintings.
- If you're a homeowner, keep in mind that choosing a very light or dark color may require you to repaint when selling your home. While you may like bright green walls, some potential buyers may not, and this can affect the resale value of the home.
Step 4. Experiment with colorful decorations
If you don't want to paint the walls pink or buy a bright yellow sofa, you can still add color through the decor. Cushions, vases, wall clocks, flowers, bookcases, and other small pieces of furniture can add a burst of color that brings a room to life. Keep the following in mind when you decorate a room:
- Choose a color in the same family. Have several decorations that match each other so that the room looks attractive. For example, try a green bookshelf, a pair of sea green vases and a collection of turquoise and green cushions and chair covers.
- But don't use too many colors in the same room. Keep everything in line or the room will seem mismatched.
Tips
- Make decisions that ultimately make you happy when mixing colors. If you think the colors match and you've reviewed using the available color guides, choose what you'd like if the project was for yourself such as a home, artwork, or clothing.
- You may need to take a look at the color wheel, colors that touch the ends of your chosen color will match.
- Use online tools to help you find what colors match. Since the color spectrum includes more colors than what you see on the basic color wheel, try using online sources to help you find what works.
